The new PolyU Council Chairman, Mr Chan Tze-ching, has taken up his chairmanship on 1 January 2016 for a term of three years. In this issue, Mr Chan shares his insights on steering the University to meet society’s changing needs.
What are the directions of PolyU’s future development?
PolyU is part of our community; we don’t exist in a vacuum. The only way to justify our existence, whether it’s research, the commercialisation of our knowledge or the grooming of students, will be to ensure that we remain useful to the community of Hong Kong.
More than any other city, Hong Kong is evolving. Rapid developments in such widely varied areas as transport, housing, law and order, and relations with the Chinese mainland mean that the University needs to keep its finger on Hong Kong’s pulse to stay relevant in educational offerings and research coverage.
I think the University has to know its strength and weakness and bring out the best. In a broad sense, that would involve further enhancing its teaching, learning and research, and taking on more initiatives like Service-Learning. Indeed, providing future leaders with precisely the right knowledge to serve Hong Kong will be critical to the University’s ongoing success.
PolyU has long been a very vibrant educational institution and embracing a culture of tolerance and receptiveness to a diversity of viewpoints. Intent on maintaining and extending that culture, I have set about ensuring an open atmosphere in Council, so all members can freely express what they think about the University, what more and what less we could do in certain areas.
What can be done to further advance research at PolyU?
With its long tradition of benefiting the business and industry, the University’s research has to maintain its social relevance. While the government has committed substantial resources to establish its Innovation and Technology Bureau, PolyU will continue to ensure that research outcomes are transferred properly and efficiently.
How does your experience help you steer the Council effectively?
Having worked in the banking and finance sector for more than thirty years and involved in the work of numerous commercial and public service organizations, I would bring a keen commercial sense to bear on my duties in the Council. The commerce sector cares about setting goals on accountability and financial discipline. These are qualities that are also extremely important in the University.
How do you engage with different stakeholders of PolyU?
I will maintain dialogue with a broad range of stakeholders, from the government, students, staff, supporters and alumni to society at large. I always seek to advance the interest of the University through promoting mutual understanding and consensus. As a leader of a university, my mission is to rally the energy and support of all these different stakeholders and work towards a better future for our students and our community.