Alumni News = 香港科技大學校友通訊, No. 13

Abstract

[evdate 2002-07-15] Alumni News July 2002 Issue No: 13 Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

An inspired way to learn HKUST inspires a love of learning down the generations: Prof Tai Kai Ng (middle), Wong Yiu Fai (left), and Jeffrey Lee

Prof Tai Kai Ng (left) and Prof Randy Poon, Associate Professor of Biochemistry, receive the prestigious Croucher Senior Research Fellowships. 3Prof Tai Kai Ng, HKUST faculty One of the founding fathers of this HKUST tradition is Professor Tai Kai Ng. When Prof Ng came back to Hong Kong from the United States in 1991 to become one of the first lecturers in the Department of Physics, he was determined his students

would have a very different learning experience from his own in Hong Kong classrooms where students were supposed to be seen but not heard. "As a student, I used to ask my teachers many questions. However, they always gave

me answers I couldn't understand, which made me feel that I mustn't be very good

at learning," said Prof Ng, who was recently awarded a Croucher Senior Research Fellowship. "When I went to the US, I discovered the reason I didn't understand had nothing to do with my ability but was due to the fact that my teachers didn't know

the answer. Asking questions is important and I enjoy answering queries." Wong Yiu Fai, HKUST alumnus Wong Yiu Fai, one of Prof Ng's former students agrees. Mr Wong is now a secondary school Physics teacher and has used the lessons he learnt from Prof Ng to

generate interest in his subject among the next set of Hong Kong learners. By providing the opportunity to ask "why", he feels teachers are not only able to gauge

students' level of understanding but also build up their self-confidence. It can also

motivate teachers to keep themselves up to date with the latest developments. "Answering questions challenges me. That's why good preparation before a lesson is

essential," Mr Wong said. Jeffrey Lee, HKUST student Among those Mr Wong has encouraged through his open approach to teaching is Jeffrey Lee, who gained several distinctions at A-level and is now majoring in Physics at

HKUST. "I found Mr Wong's notes better than any of the academic books I read," Jeffrey said. "When he was teaching us, he mentioned how significant his time at

HKUST had been and this influenced my decision to study at the University." Since arriving on campus, Jeffrey has got to know Prof Ng and experienced how HKUST faculty encourage their students to learn. "If I can't find one of my own lecturers,

I can always knock on the door of the next office as I know the professor there will be willing to help me."

Jeffrey came to HKUST as an outstanding secondary school student, but not all undergraduates initially arrive with such impressive results. Bringing out the potential

in the latter through re-building their confidence, expanding and deepening their

interest in their chosen field, gives faculty members a great sense of achievement, Prof

Ng said. When these newly inspired learners graduate with first class honors, the rewards

for both teachers and students in belonging to the HKUST community are clear. And

Hong Kong moves another step closer to becoming a knowledge-based society.

As Hong Kong moves towards a knowledge-based society, the University is well ahead in inspiring a love of learning down the generations. Although it is just over a decade since the University was founded, faculty members have already seen their students transformed into teachers who in turn are passing on the message to more young people that the way forward is to ask questions, be creative and enjoy the pursuit of knowledge. ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONS: INSIDE NEWS 4 To cater for needs and interests of fellow alumni, the HKUST Alumni Association (HKUSTAA) organized a variety of programs ranging from an entrepreneurship forum to workshops in the past few months. The response was most encouraging. "Opportunity and Challenge - Road of Innovation" Entrepreneurship Forum More than 70 alumni and students attended the entrepreneurship forum and dinner at the University Center on 25 April. The event brought together speakers from HKUST, the Government and the entrepreneurial world to map out the route and requirements for a hi-tech start-up venture. They are Prof Tony Eastham, President and CEO of HKUST's RandD Corporation Ltd; Prof C Y Tsui, Director of Perception Digital Ltd; Dr Sunny Cheng, Senior Manager of the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC and Ms Cheryl Lee, Student Counselor of the HKUST Career Center. Audio and Video Production Workshop Series Alumni hi-tech lovers joined the Audio and Video Production Workshop for Alumni on campus in July. Co-organized by the University's Publishing Technology Center (PTC) and Office of University Development and Public Affairs (OUDPA), the workshop provided alumni with basic knowledge of Digital Video Camera operating techniques and non-linear editing techniques using PC editing software. "Practicing Leadership in Your Life" Workshop To help alumni enhance their self-confidence and face up to challenges in their careers, the HKUSTAA jointly organized a leadership workshop with the Young Entrepreneurs Development Council (YDC) at Rosedale on the Park on 25 June. The guest speaker for the evening was Ms Sophie Leung Lau Yau-fun, Legislative Councillor of the HKSAR, Founder and Chairperson of YDC.

Mr K S Shek of PTC, the workshop facilitator, shares his insight and experience in AV production with alumni. Enterprising events receive enthusiastic response

ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONS: INSIDE NEWS 5 ALUMNI POSTCARDS

Tee time Alumni were in the pink on the green at the first golf tournament jointly organized by the

HKUSTAA, the MBA Alumni Association and the Kellogg Club on 27-28 April. Twenty-six golfers took up the challenge at Nansha Golf Course in Panyu, China. The

competition was hotly contested with Jay Smith, Eric Miller, Sheldon Chang and Lana Howell, eventually emerging the winners. Special thanks to Oscar So (MBAAA), Isabel Lui (MBAAA), Jay Smith (Kellogg Club), Winston Siu (Kellogg Club) and Kennis Chan (MBAAA Office) for their support.

Alumnus wins Best Paper Award Dear all, I am very happy to be able to share my good news with you al l. The paper "A Damage Evolution Model for Thermal Fatigue of Solder Joints", co-authored by myself, Dr S W Ricky Lee and Dr Y H Pao has won the 2001 ASME Transaction Journal of Electronic Packaging (JEP) Best Paper Award.

The honor was presented at the JEP Reception at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Congress last November. Dr Xiaowu Zhang 1999 PhD(MECH)

Proud to be part of Entrepreneurship Program I would like to express my appreciation of HKUST's Entrepreneurship Program which has enabled our start-up company, Radica, to flourish.

HKUST has facilitated the growth of many new technology companies like ourselves which have had vision and expertise but lacked the initial resources to get off the ground. I would especially like to thank staff at the RandD Corp, Technology Transfer Center and the Office of the Vice-President for Research and Development for the extensive support they have given Radica at different stages of the company's development.

Radica was based in the Annex for nearly 11/2 years, along with other new University

start-ups. Although we have now moved to Tech Center to expand our business, everyone at the company will always remember the rewarding times spent at the Annex.

The University is a great place for nurturing technology talents and providing opportunities for sharing ideas with professionals from different countries. I feel lucky and proud to have had the opportunity to be part of the Entrepreneurship Program and would be happy to share my experiences with other alumni any time.

Francis, Kwok Ching Kwong 1998 BSc(PHYS) CEO, Radica Systems Ltd

NEWS FROM OUDPA Keep in touch with free Internet Services for Alumni (ISA) email Good news! The process for notification of ISA accounts to all alumni who graduated before May 2002 has been completed. The service provides you with 5MB storage capacity for personal communication to enable you to stay in contact with the University and each other. For details, please visit the ISA website at http www.alumni.ust.hk or email helpdesk@alumni.ust.hk.

Building HKUST's alumni culture Strong ties and communication were the themes of a get-together and dinner with HKUST President Paul Ching-Wu Chu and representatives

of the HKUST alumni associations held on 17 April. Prof Chu shared his vision and views on university development, drawing alumni into the University's plans for the next decade. Alumni representatives

then put forward ideas on building a more distinctive culture at the University, and

proposed ways to cultivate a sense of belonging among students and alumni. Alumni-giving was also discussed. Last year's successful matching drive, supported by former Council Chairman Dr Vincent H S Lo, saw more than HK$30,000 raised for scholarships in all four Schools, and alumni representatives

were enthusiastic about stepping up fundraising efforts to support their alma mater.

Always an integral part of the community, this past year has seen alumni woven further into the fabric of HKUST through a number of fresh initiatives. Alumni associations have expanded and now have a combined membership of over 3,000. Services to alumni by the Alumni Relations Section of OUDPA have been enhanced, with a revamped Alumni News featuring more news and information, an upgraded Internet Services for Alumni (ISA) system providing free email, and an exclusive alumni

credit card issued in partnership with the Bank of China. 6 UNIVERSITY SPOTLIGHT 7Water World The new One-World-Fountain on the LG7 lawn provided artistic inspiration for the University community in the recent One-World-Fountain Photo Contest, organized by the Office of University Development and Public Affairs. About 250 entries were submitted by students, alumni, faculty, staff and their families.

This unique water sculpture was created by world-renowned Austrian artist Prof Hans

Muhr and commissioned and donated to the University by HKUST Court member Dr Helmut Sohmen. Prizes for the Photo Contest were also generously donated by Dr Sohmen.

Enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the Fountain now through our selection of winning

photos. Then come back at weekends to be inspired by the sparkling creation at first hand!

Editor's Note Our cover story, "An inspired way to learn", shows how HKUST's teaching culture instills a love of learning from generation to generation. Don't forget, you too can be a role model by demonstrating the University's creative approach to the pursuit of knowledge in your career and contributions to society. There is also a great chance to support your alma mater this autumn. The University is organizing the "Just Walk" charity walk on 20 October to raise funds for a new student hostel. Please mark this in your diary and come

to join in the fun with friends and family. Look forward to seeing you! UNIVERSITY SPOTLIGHT ALUMNI NEWS PTC - G9342 Alumni News is published quarterly by HKUST's Office of University Development and Public Affairs (OUDPA), focusing on alumni information, activities and services,

and highlights of the University's development. Design and Production Publishing Technology Center, HKUST OUDPA reserves the right to publish and edit any material submitted for publication.

Views expressed in this Alumni News by individual contributors do not necessarily

represent those of the University. Please acknowledge source when any part of the

Alumni News is quoted. The next issue of Alumni News will be published in October 2002. Please send your contributions by 2 September 2002. Editorial Advisory Group Terri Lai (OUDPA) Michelle Cheung (OUDPA) Ada Lee (OUDPA) Parker Lau (HKUST Alumni Association) Mavis Lee (HKUST Alumni Association) Editors Amy Yap (Chinese editor) Sally Course (English editor) Alumni Relations Section, OUDPA Room 1364, Academic Building, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong Phone: (852) 2358 6316 Fax: (852) 2358 0537 E-mail: alumni@ust.hk Website: http www.ust.hk/alumni

HKSAR Financial Secretary Antony Leung opened the First Session of the HKUST Forum at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Mr Leung is also an honorary graduate of HKUST.

The new Council Chairman Dr John Chan at the last session of the HKUST Forum at Island Shangri-La Hotel. 8Face-to-Face with Nobel Laureates in Physics at HKUST Two Nobel Laureates in Physics, Prof Charles Hard Townes and Prof Gerardus 't Hooft, shared their scientific insight and experience with faculty, students, and alumni at the University on 14 June. Michelle Nam (2002 MPhil(PHYS)) presented a gift on behalf of alumni to Prof Gerardus 't Hooft, 1999 Nobel Laureates in Physics, at a dinner on the same day. Forum to Explore HK's Future Development The "HKUST Forum on the Future Development of Hong Kong" organized by the University as part of its mission to propel Hong Kong's economic and social

development forward, gathered senior members of Government, business, think tanks and academia to exchange views and explore options in three sessions from May

to July. The Forum attracted about 800 participants. The first session "Positioning Hong Kong: Pearl River Delta and Beyond", held on 28 May, featured panels on manufacturing, services, infrastructure and logistics, and jobs and human resources.

The other sessions "Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Hong Kong" and "The Government's Role in the Economy" were held on 17 June and 12 July respectively. Dr John Cho-chak Chan, HKUST Council Chairman and KMB Managing Director, was the speaker at the luncheon of the last session. Dr Chan was appointed to succeed Dr Vincent H S Lo as HKUST Council Chairman, from 1 April 2002. Donors' Reception The opportunity to express thanks to the individuals and organizations that have donated

scholarships and made other contributions to the University came on 18 April at the annual Donors' Reception. Raymond Chan (1995 BBA(FINA))

attended the event as the representative of PricewaterhouseCoopers.

校友通訊 香港科技大學 細說一個薪火相傳的故事 常言道：「十年樹木，百年樹人」，但創校只有短短十年的香港科技大學，不僅已 培育了一代精英，而在他們沐浴過導師的春風化雨、踏 足社會為人師表後，又進而感召到第二代人毅然跨進科 大門檻 ．""這枝神奇接力棒。到底有什麼魔法？在夏日 綠意盎然的科大校園，我們找箸了三代科大人：教授吳 大琪博士、校友黃耀輝及學生李子維，細聽他們述說當 中薪火相傳的故事 很久、很久以前，在香港這個小島上， 是科大物理學系副教授吳大琪博士的學生 時代． 當年．吳博士在學習上遇有不明白總 是不恥下問，但他的老師們，卻往往未能 令他明白，逐漸令吳博士以為自己的理解 力有問題。後來他負賞美國，並在西北大 學攻讀博士學位 成為該校多年來成績最 好的學生 才明白到原來問題在老師或教 授們身上--他們被他難倒了 不知如何 作答。 筆記內容詳盡 教學熱誠在其中 科大創校時吳博士回港在科大執教鞭 又怎忍心同一景象在他的課堂上出 現"於是 「吳教授的課堂筆記，令我很强烈地 感受到，即使是大學二年級的課程，他 也毫不馬虎地備課。詳盡的筆記內容， 反映著他教學的熱誠。」吳傳土 當年的學生、今天已為人師表的黃耀輝 〔黃Sr〕說。 黃耀輝現時在本港一所中學教授物理 科，那他有繼承 吳博士的衣砵嗎7 「黃sr的筆記，比坊間任何一本教科書 都要好」今次輪到黃Sr的學生，現就讀 科大物理學一年級的李子維〔Jeffrey〕開腔 了。 黃耀輝坦言在教學方面 受到吳博土影 響 明白要在教學前，先把與學枓有關的 問題弄通。如果連自己也一知半解，又怎 能把學生教明白7因此．每次上課，黃校 友一定r有備而戰」 黃耀輝記得有位「問題」學生羅錦團，對 物理非常有興趣 身為初中生已在看微積分 的書 不但經常 提問上而且總是 打爛沙盤問到篤」、不 到黃河心不死」因此做老師的 便休想 求其」找個答案來把他輕輕打發。通常黃 引嘈要求他給自己三分鐘時間，然後邊擦 黑板邊思考答案 猶幸每次都不至「失威」 答不上來。 後來， 這位學生考人科大物理系，差 不多每夭下課後也到吳博士的辦公室請 教，師徒過招，直至徒弟意識到自己功力 畢竟未到該境界，才會停止再問，然後回 去看書探知究竟。這位科大學生現時已到 美國加州大學柏克萊分校交流，難怪成了 吳博士與黃sir口中的得意門生了。 教授房門常開 有問題請進來 在美國一些大學，學生要見教授必 須提早預約，相比起來．科大這種 自由開放的學術環境，及導師循循善 誘的作風，自然成了培肓高材生的 溫床。Jeffrey也說，進人科大後， 感受最深的，是有問題時隨時可找 教授討論，敲門找不到原來想找的 一位 看見鄰房另一位在 也可自 由向他請教。反而 中學時代不 同班別的老師間卻有「門戶之 見」，黃「試過有另一班的學生 拿著他的筆記來向他討教，他只 好安排該學生在下課後，離開校 門往地鐵的一段路上 才敢向他 指點。不過，這位學生今天也已進 了美國史丹福大學攻讀物理系博士，總算 不負黃引 的一番啓蒙心血。 細聽學生提問發掘箇中潛能 也許是自己經驗的影響，吳博士就很珍 惜學生向他的提問，並且能從學生的問 題，識別出他們是那一類學生。 一{????}、{????} 科大理學院最近邀請兩位諾貝爾物理學奬得主-- 激光之父湯斯教授及霍夫特教授〔中到校園與師生 及校友分享他們的科研心得及經驗。面對一代宗師， 各人紛辟熱烈握周。吳大琪博士當日與兩位物理學巨擘 於對談會上合攝。 一 薪火相傳三代同堂：主起學生李子維 教授吳大琪博士及校友黃耀輝

「有一類學生，其實很聰明，不會依書照讀，有自己的一套想 法，可惜大概是在中學比較傳統的學習環境中，窒礙了自信心。 只要對他們多加鼓勵指導 他們會很快追趕上來。」 吳博士發現科大獨有的現象，便 是最後以甲等榮譽畢業的 除了是 那些當日挾著多個甲等成績考人的 精英學生外。還包括那些人讀時理 科成績强差人意，但後來發力追上 的。相反在港大與中大，卻甚少發 生這樣的情況 甲等榮譽由始至終 多屬於人學時成績最佳的那一群。 由此印證 科大的學習生活，確 實令曾被認為r蠢才」的 都變了人才」。科大的教學方式及 氣氛，確對啓發學生的潛能 起著積極的作用。現時，就有一位 當日成績平平但後來考獲甲等榮譽的學生．在跟吳博士唸碩士， 研究如何重新設計中學的物理學課程 使中學生更易掌握。被中 學教育窒礙了的學生，擺脫枷鎖後能為中學教育重新注入生命， 這是大學教育的成功例子。 雖說十年人事幾番新，這種風氣在科大卻是十年如一。黃耀輝 就這樣憶述他在科大時的學習生涯「如果提問，教授總是不厭 其煩地給予答覆，即使我問的是一些很低層次的問題，他們也會 很認眞的解答。記得那時還有一位叫Altman的教授，如果他一時 答不出來，會馬上承認，下次上課時，再給你解答。作為學生， 你會感到他很認眞的去對待你的問題，便自然更受到激勵，努大 學習。」 難怪作為黃Sir學生的Jeffrey．也因為黃sir經常在課堂上對枓 大讀不絕口．而受到感召，會考挾著多個甲等 成績也義無反顧的選擇科大。猶幸人來．沒有 發覺貨不對辦j，最令他感開心的，更是下課 後總能找到教授請教，教授不 會因趕著離去而疏忽了學生。 原來十年前「身先士卒」 的，黃耀輝早已是第一人 他 當日雖然得到港大收取入學，卻敢於捨港大而取科大 當年科大 還剛創校．他這個決定可算是「極高風險」的投資。問黃耀輝勇 氣何來？ 「一方面是我喜歡挑戰 而最重要的是，當日科大錢致榕副校長 面見我時，他讓我感覺到那份親切與友善。」 為人師表 曾忖出多少，做學生的 其實早己心領神會。難怪 吳博士與黃Sir異口同聲說．教學最重要的，是教者的「心」 宗旨是教人還是教科〕如果教人，當然 心 是最重要 的。」「最重要是有那份心，還有本科的知識 你根本騙不了學 生，他們其實是知道的。」聽著身旁兩位傑出師長的訓勉，第三 代傳人Jeffrey正在暗暗點頭示意。 各位校友，你會否是下一個薪火相傳的故事主角 李子維得，考人科大 黃中〕與學生打成一片 「問題」學生怎樣說 在訪問中。被吳博士與黃耀輝點名提得最多的「高足」羅錦團，現以交換生身份在 加州大學柏克萊分校就讀。八年前他唸中二時．正碰上黃耀輝的「初出茅廬」年代， 他又怎樣看這兩位師長與科大呢是否一般的惺惺相借，還是 「我不時都和黃sr爭論，牛頓與愛恩斯坦誰更偉大7有一次，黃引 在班上貼了一 份在網上找到的關於牛頓的文章，{????}b網上可以找到很多有關牛頓的網站，我連忙反 駁說，相信找到有關愛恩斯坦的網站一定更多。你猜他怎答7他竟然答 那你還可以 在網上找到更多有關萊溫斯基的網站"難道你就可以據此說萊溫斯基比牛頓更偉大 嗎7我和黃Sr就是這樣子 交手 了1」 「其實我對黃Sr是很尊敬的，當時他在校內 人氣 很高呢 Jeffrey說得沒錯，他的筆記眞的比那些物理教科書好得多。他可

以很清晰地把物理的觀念解釋出來，而且即使放學後有問題找他，他也照樣 奉陪」。」

至於師傅的師傅，即是 師公 吳博士，嘩，更不得了"我覺得他不僅是一位物理學家，更 是一位好導師、一位哲學家，甚至一位藝術家"不少物理學理論經他一解釋．變得更容易明 白。他辦公室的門是長開的 學生可以隨時找他問問題，他還會給學生彈琴

和一起午膳"有時我坐在他房間內 乾聽他和別人討論問題，就己經是一情樂事I」

「未入科大前。也常聽黃Sr談到吳博士，及科大生活的種種，那時已經心生嚮往。加上親身 感受過黃sr的用心教學 知道科大

必是一{????}n學府。我自己當然也比較過幾間院校的物理系 發覺還是以科大的課程最好。入來後．當然沒有失望"還發覺其實還有很多教授都很愛護學 生 我實在以科大為榮呢2」

羅錦團於加州大學柏克萊分校實驗室留影

校友會情報 會計系校友會：約定你！周年聚餐見 一年一度的會計系校友會周年聚餐又到了 今年的聚餐定於 8月 27日〔星期二〕晚上 7時 30分舉行，屆時大 家除了一起共享美味佳崤外 還可以和一班會計系校友及教授聚首 一堂．如此難得的機會，您又豈能錯過 如欲報名，請從速與 陳定邦〔Davin Chan〕 1998 BBA〔ACCT 會計系校友會會長

校友會情報 生物系校友會：邀請你加入我們大家庭 生物系校友會於去年科大十周年校慶中誕生，並在今年年初正式 加入成為科大校友會的屬會。現在生物系校友會正式邀請各生物系 舊生成為會員 各生物系舊生可在今期科大校友通訊中．收到我們 最新一期的生物系校友會通訊，內附校友會的申請表格 填寫後請 連同繳忖會費的劃腺支票，寄回生物系校友會的郵箱便可。我們收 到申請表後會盡快與你聯絡。 由於生物系校友會剛剛成立，需要經費以供一般性的營運開支， 我們現向各生物系舊主及其他科大舊生募捐，各有心人可以與我們 聯絡。捐款人名單將會在我們下期的生物系校友通訊內刊出。 此外，前生物系系主任謝顯堂教授〔Prof Dennis Hsieh〕已於 今年6月正式榮休，生物系校友會謹代表各生物系校友祝謝教授生 活愉快。 鮑漢民〔Anson Pan〕 1997 BSc〔BIOL〕 生物系校友會會長 生物系校友會電郵：SI{????}hi。{????}USthk 校友明信片

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校園剪影 群星燦爛天上人間 灌溉新一代 日出初現 編輯人語 同一天空下，每個人都有不同經歷，曾於科大哺育下成長的 你，刻下是否正在為前程奮鬥""校友通訊 今期為大家娓娓道來 一個薪火相傳的故事--科大創校短短十年，卻能把優良教育薪 傳三代，培育莘莘學子成為社會棟樑 當中師生共同的努力 實在 殊不簡單"希望各校友能繼續發揮所長，讓科大優質教學廣為人 知。 不少校友期待為大學作出貢獻 眼前正有個好機會：10月20 日科大將首次舉行步行籌款 科大行」為興建學生宿舍籌募經 責 請大家積極響應朱經武校長的呼籲 相約親朋好友一同踴躍參 加