Awards for Top Science Teachers

Abstract

[evdate 1998-09-10] For immediate release 10 September 1998

AWARDS FOR TOP SCIENCE TEACHERS

Teaching awards in the School of Science at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have been presented to three outstanding scholars: Dr Jimmy C. H. Fung (Mathematics), Dr Guochen Jia (Chemistry) and Dr Andrew L. Miller (Biology).

Only a few teaching awards are given each year, based on faculty nominations and student evaluations. The current winners were chosen from 120 faculty members in the School of Science.

"The purpose of the awards is to make it clear to our colleagues that teaching is something they must do well," said Prof Michael Loy, Acting Dean of Science. "The awards show that we recognize exceptional teachers."

This is the third year the awards have been given, and nine faculty members have been recognized for outstanding teaching to date. Prof Loy pointed out that the nine come from different cultural and geographical backgrounds. "I am really happy to see the winners coming from a wide spectrum. It shows that good teaching does not depend on the person掇 background. Teachers from all backgrounds can do well," he said.

愁he secret to being a good teacher, according to Dr Fung, is enthusiasm. "You have to show your students that you are enthusiastic about the subject and keen to teach it. A positive attitude during lectures is important," he said. Dr Fung was trained in mathematics at the University of Durham and Cambridge University, where he received his PhD in applied mathematics. He then spent two years on postdoctoral research on dense gas dispersion before joining HKUST in 1992. He currently teaches multivariable calculus and an introduction to multivariable calculus.

嵯r Jia teaches inorganic chemistry and organometallic chemistry. He received his undergraduate degree from Wuhan University and completed his PhD at Ohio State University. His postdoctoral research was undertaken at the universities of Toronto and Western Ontario. In 1992, he joined HKUST, his first full-time teaching appointment. "I掭 pleased to accept the award but others do a good job too," he said modestly.

嵯r Miller received his PhD in biology from the University of Dundee and was a postdoctoral research associate in the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, Massachusetts. His research interests have led him to a study of the role of calcium ions in cellular development and neuronal injury and repair. He joined HKUST in 1995 and will be teaching a course on animal physiology next semester.

Note to Editors: Please direct enquiries to Mr Bosco Wong of the Public Affairs Office at 2358-6307 or email pamedia@ust.hk.