首席副校長的工作與港大未來發展息息相關，請同學踴躍參與是次諮詢會！
同學如有問題，歡迎聯絡內務副會長成曉宜（66766093／
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)。
Brief Report on Students’ Participation in
the 4th Curriculum Reform Retreat
Background Curriculum Reform Retreat is a consultation platform for the Steering Committee on 4-Year Undergraduate Curriculum. The first two retreats involved the staff only, later, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof. Amy B.M. Tsui started to invite students’ participation in the 3rd retreat in 2008.The 4th retreat was held on 22-23 June 2009, with the overarching theme “Student Learning Experience and Assessment”. The topics have been discussed in the retreat included HKUSLEQ, assessment and first year experience. Student representatives from different students’ bodies had also been invited to prepare analysis and proposal concerning these three topics.
HKUSLEQ The Hong Kong University Students’ Learning Experience Questionnaire (HKUSLEQ) is a survey conducted by the university at the beginning and the end of an academic year. In the questionnaire, first-year students and final-year students have been asked their views on their learning experiences in the university.With the accordance of the statistics and findings of the HKUSLEQ, students have made several recommendations towards the learning strategies: 1) to reduce the assessments’ reliance on examinations, and adopt different kinds of assessment methods in order to stimulate students’ thinking; 2) to adapt integrated assessment, instead of fragmented chapter-by-chapter assessment, in order to allow cross-chapters understanding and to reduce assessment workload; 3) to increase grading transparency in order to assisting students’ learning progress; 4) to provide clear grading guidelines in order to help students achieving the standard expected by the university studies.
Assessment
The assessment methods and grading system in the university have been reviewed. It is encouraging to know that the school has started to review the GPA policies and rectify the inequalities between different faculties. We had made the following suggestions to the university: 1) to set up policies ensuring consistency of grading standards, as there should be consensus over marking and determining plagiarisms among different markers;
2) examination papers with comments from markers should be return;
3) result of assessment in each stage should be disclosed before the examination;
4) examination statistics of every course should be disclosed;
5) a more comprehensive appeal system should be established.
First Year Experience (FYE)
The university has noticed that the academic induction for freshmen is not enough. Therefore, the idea of organizing academic induction activities for students has been aroused to help students adopt the 4-year university life in the future. Student representatives agreed with the importance of having an academic induction for new students, and suggested that the academic induction should include:
1) introducing academic affairs, like curriculum overview and majors and minors briefing 2) future career perspectives
3) university campus life introduction, the resources and opportunities available in HKU
4) programs about social responsibilities concept, such as briefing of social movements in HK, current affairs discussions, sharing sessions, site visits or social services etc.
Students’ Union and other students’ societies could co-organize with the school for the induction program.Student representatives also made some other key suggestions:
1) the Common Core Courses should be assessed by pass/fail basis;
2) first year experiential learning should imprement certain mandatory elements, such as participation in student bodies, hall education, social services, university team membership and being student helpers. These commitment would enhances the fulfillment of the Six Educational Aims, and help students develop a sense of belonging and social bonding in HKU. 3) non-first year students should be encouraged to join activities, like exchange programme, internship and voluntary helpers of academic fiel, for both Vocational Focus and Intrinsic Interest, as well as fulfilling the education aims.
4) there should be departmental staff consultants to provide academic support to students;
5) space should be provided to incubate and nurture the development of peer groups.
Conclusion
The school has appreciated the students’ efforts in the curriculum retreat. Students’ proposal will be further discussed and follow-ups in the Steering Committee on 4-Year Undergraduate Curriculum and in the future retreat.
On Behalf of Executive Committee, Hong KongUniversity Students’ Union, Session 2009 Keung Wing Yan, Justine University Secretary I Hong KongUniversity Students’ Union, Session 2009 5 July 2009
I have written to the Vice-Chancellor (VC) and the Senior Management Team (SMT) about
some general concerns over academic matters and student welfare at the end of May. I have
obtained some reply and feedbacks from the University which I want to address you as
followings
1, Loosening the GPA system
I have directed the concerns over the long term unfairness of the GPA system to the VC
and SMT, here I quote their reply
"The University is aware of students' concerns. As you know, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor
(Teaching and Learning) and the Dean of Student Affairs have been meeting with our
student representatives on several occasions already on this issue. The matter is
receiving serious attention.
The Steering Committee on Ug Curriculum Reform has started discussion on assessment
standards and policy and has been looking at GPAs awarded in all Ug programmes offered at
HKU in the past five years. Comparisons are being made with local and overseas
universities. Assessment will be a major item in the forthcoming Curriculum Reform
retreat and office bearers and student representatives have been invited to participate
in this retreat.
The views from staff and students will serve as input for the formulation of
recommendations on assessment standards and policy which will be put forward to Faculty
for comments and eventually to Senate for endorsement in the next academic year"
As said, the University is probably going to amend the GPA assessment method in the new
curriculum. But it does not help current undergraduates because we are not in the 4-year
new curriculum. The recommendation as mentioned, will be put forward to Senate in next
academic year, I will try to put forward amendment to make prompt change in the
assessment methods and to ensure a more fair grading system. So that our graduates will
not be in disadvantage in competition for jobs and further education in the coming year,
especially in such tough economic time.
2, Enhanced Student Health Service -
I have proposed the inclusion of Chinese Medicine in the University Health Service. The
SMT replied that they are reviewing its health services provision on account of 3+3+4 and
the issue of Chinese medicine can be considered as one of the issues in the review.
There may be survey to the student needs on health service later, please express your
view and opinion actively in forthcoming survey if you support this idea.
3, Further Development of the University
I have expressed my concerns over the the plan of setting up a Shenzhen branch of HKU.
This might futher divert our already tight resources (both academic and supporting
resources such as hall residence). Another more serious concern is the nature of the
degree awarded by "self-funded Shenzhen branch of HKU". If they are the same as those we
earn in HKU, that might weaken our degrees' status and values in the future.
However, the University has yet to release more information of the plan.
So on the issue of the Shenzhen initiative, I will meet up with Mr. Henry Wai, the
Registrar very soon, to obtain more infomation over the matter.
I will keep you informed of the progress.
In the mean time, enjoy your summer!
Best Regards,
So, Tsz Him
Senate Member (Undergraduate Representative)
Council
Chairman, Medical Society Council, Medical Society, HKUSU
Tam
Tsung, Elgin
BSc(AS)
Year 1
Chairman,
Swire Hall Students' Association, HKUSU
Pang
Kai Chuen, Gordon
BBA(IS)
Year 1
Chairperson,
Starr Hall Students' Association, HKUSU
Lo
Wing Kin
BSc
(AS) Year 1
Chairman,
Wei Lun Hall Students' Association, HKUSU
Wong
Chi Chung, Chris
BSocSc
Year 1
President,
Morrison Hall Students' Association
Tso
Chun Fai, Alfred
BSc
Year 2
Chairman,
St. John'sCollege Students' Association, HKUSU
Tsang
Chi Chung
BA
Year 2
Chairman,
University Hall Students' Association, HKUSU
Kwok
Isaac
BSc
Year 1
Chairman,
Lee Hysan Hall Students' Association, HKUSU
Chan
Pik Kei, Tessa
BBA(Law)
Year 1
Chair,
Suen Chi Sun Hall Students' Association, HKUSU
CHAN
Pik Chi , Daphne
BBA(Law)
Year 1
Chairman,
R.C. Lee Hall Students' Association, HKUSU
Lam
Ho Yeung Chris
BSc
Year 1
Nominated
by Faculty of Science
Chan
Kevin
BSocSc
Year 1
Nominated
by Faculty of Social Sciences
Zhong
Xingxin
BSc
Year 1
Nominated
by Faculty of Science
Fung
Pok Lam, Polly
BDS
Year 5
QAC
audit participant
Leng
Jing
PhD
QAC
audit participant
Wong
Leung Wai
BA&BEd
Year 3
QAC
audit participant
Wong
Chung, Albert
BA&BEd
Year 2
QAC
audit participant
Ho
Quen Thai, Christopher
BSocSc
Year 1
QAC
audit participant
Xu
Zheming Bolla
MPhil
Year 1
Secretary,
CSSA
Yi
Kexin Cathy
BEng
Year 2
External
Vice-President, CSSAUD
There were all together 34 student representatives from different backgrounds and different discipline joined the 4th Curriculum Reform Retreat. Brief reports on the retreat will be released on this site very soon.
For enquiries, please contact Shing Hiu Yi, Vice-President (Internal) . Contact details are avaliable at the Executive Committee page of this site.
University Affairs 
