"To be a leading liberal arts University in Asia for the world delivering academic excellence in a caring, creative and global culture."
- HKBU Vision Statement
"To deliver the best student experience by preparing students for cultural understanding, global collaboration, leadership, service and employment in an increasingly interdependent, intertwined world."
- A Core Objective of the HKBU Institutional Strategic Plan 2018-2028
Our Staff Enrichment Week (a.k.a New Staff Induction Programme), the EdTech Kickoff Series, and other related orientation activities are informative, interactive, and social activities that are planned to help new staff embrace our University. These events help in getting to know other new colleagues and the existing faculty and staff of HKBU hence creating interaction and engagement.
Although the University resumed face-to-face classes in Semester 1, 2022/23, new academic and teaching staff are still strongly encouraged to review the digital learning and teaching materials for synchronous online teaching. Relevant information can be found on the following webpages:
Education at HKBU aims to unlock students’ potential and competencies in all aspects of whole person development, including intellectual, professional, moral, spiritual, cultural, social and physical. HKBU defines this philosophy underpinning its teaching programmes/curriculum and total university experience offered to students through a spectrum of Graduate Attributes as follows:
Be responsible citizens with an international outlook and a sense of ethics and civility
成為具國際視野、品行高尚、有責任感的社會公民
Have up-to-date, in-depth knowledge of an academic specialty, as well as a broad range of cultural and general knowledge
掌握對學術專業當前最新學問，並有深厚認識，亦有廣闊的文化知識和通識基礎
Be independent, lifelong learners with an open mind and an inquiring spirit
以開放接納、獨立探求知識的精神，貫徹終身學習
Have the necessary information literacy and IT skills, as well as numerical and problem-solving skills, to function effectively in work and everyday life
擁有資訊科技、數字處理和解難能力，在生活及工作上發揮所長
Be able to think critically and creatively
具備批判思考以及創意思維
Have trilingual and biliterate competence in English and Chinese, and the ability to articulate ideas clearly and coherently
精通兩文三語、能清晰表達有條理的想法
Be ready to serve, lead and work in a team, and to pursue a healthy lifestyle
具備領導和服務團隊的精神，實踐健康生活模式
Reference: approved by HKBU Senate in September 2008
Upon graduation, HKBU Taught Postgraduate graduates should possess:
Knowledge
Mastery of knowledge of their academic specialty or profession that is in-depth, advanced and up-to-date and be able to apply the knowledge to their profession or disciplines.
Creativity
The ability to evaluate and apply knowledge to make critical and independent judgement, and provide creative and innovative solutions to problems.
Skills
The ability to apply appropriate theories, methodologies and techniques for professional or disciplinary advancement in their fields.
Learning
An on-going interest and capability in continuous learning for the purpose of tackling the complexities in their professional field or discipline through inquiry and critical reflection.
Communication
The ability to synthesize and articulate ideas clearly, coherently, and in a logical way, with fluent communication skills.
Citizenship
A sense of upholding professional ethics and social responsibility consistent with their roles as local and global citizens.
HKBU Research Postgraduate and Professional Doctorate Degree graduates
Upon graduation, HKBU Research Postgraduate and Professional Doctorate Degree graduates should possess:
Knowledge
Mastery and creation of knowledge at the forefront of their field of specialization, together with advanced knowledge in other related areas.
Creativity
The ability to evaluate existing regimes and develop original research insights and methodology for advanced academic inquiry.
Skills
The ability to apply appropriate theories, research methodologies and techniques to make informed judgement and solve problems in general and of different complex contexts in their fields.
Learning
A sustainable interest and autonomous initiative in the acquisition of advanced knowledge and in the exploration of new areas of research and professional environments.
Communication
The ability to communicate and exchange knowledge and ideas in their fields clearly and effectively with specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Citizenship
A sense of upholding professional ethics and social responsibility consistent with their roles as local and global citizens.
Remark: HKBU’s whole person education comprises seven elements. As “Teamwork” should have been developed when students reach the postgraduate level, it is not highlighted in the Graduate Attributes for postgraduate students. However, owing to the different nature of the programmes, “Teamwork” may still be included as one of the learning objectives or programme outcomes as appropriate.
Outcomes-Based Teaching and Learning (OBTL)@HKBU
“What can students achieve after taking my course?”
The principle of Outcomes-Based Teaching and Learning (OBTL) is based on the constructive alignment, which presumes that all components in the teaching system, especially the Assessment Methods (AMs) and the Teaching and Learning Activities (TLAs), are aligned to the Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs) to help students achieve them.
To implement OBTL effectively, HKBU recognises that a full commitment to learning and teaching must include strategies of assessment and documentation which focus on the content and learning progress of our students. One of the strategies is to use Criterion-Referenced Assessment (CRA) to assess students' progress and final attainment in achieving learning outcomes against a set of objective criteria.
For more information about the OBTL concept, learning taxonomies, and OBTL requirements for programme accreditation, please visit here.
Checklist for the First Day of Class
The first day of class presents a golden opportunity for you to introduce yourself as a scholar and educator to your students, and provide insight into how you are going to teach the class and what you expect your students to contribute in the learning process.
To facilitate students' learning, the practice of video recording and archive of lectures will continue in the coming academic year. Meanwhile, instructors also need to get ready and prepared for the changes of the teaching mode.
To-do checklist for your first class
Have I …?
Digital Learning & Teaching@HKBU
Digital Learning & Teaching ecosystem
HKBU functions within a diverse environment of emerging educational technologies by establishing a supportive and flexible learning environment in which digital learning and teaching is an integrated, dynamic and innovative element.
Strategy for Digital Learning and Teaching and Principles for the Use of Generative AI
The “Strategy for Digital Learning and Teaching” and the “Principles for the Use of Generative AI Tools in Teaching and Learning, and Assessment”, approved by the Senate in September 2022 and June 2023 respectively, are intended to provide colleagues with guidelines to facilitate the adoption of e-pedagogies in cultivating students to be active and self-directed learners / life-long learners, and enhancing their learning experience while still catering for diversity and flexibility in e-pedagogical practices.
More details of the two mentioned documents can found on the BUniport, under the option of “U-Wide Policies & Info” >> “Policies & Guidelines” >> “Strategy for Digital Learning and Teaching” and “Principles for the Use of Generative AI Tools in Teaching and Learning, and Assessment”. Please note that a document of “Advisory Guidelines Pertaining to the Use of Generative AI Tools in Assessed Assignment Tasks” can also be found under the same location.
“Internationalisation” via Developing Online Courses Initiatives with KEEP
With internationalisation as one of the priorities in the HKBU Institutional Strategic Plan 2018-2028, our University has been continuously promoting blended learning and establishing ties with renowned overseas universities.
With Small Private Online Courses (SPOCs) and other blended learning initiatives, our students can learn alongside their peers in other universities with different cultural backgrounds. Teachers can also co-teach with overseas partners, opening up opportunities for joint programmes. In this light, the Teaching and Learning Policy Committee (TLPC) supports the University to adopt KEEP@Moodle as our initial SPOC platform.
The University has adopted KEEP (https://keep.edu.hk/) as our Small Private Online Courses (SPOCs) platform and colleagues are invited to submit proposals and apply their innovative blended learning ideas in their teaching. Up to HKD200,000 can be allocated per successful proposal to support the initial SPOC establishment. Proposals will be processed on a first-come-first-served basis until the fund is exhausted. For details, please visit here.
A Paradigm Shift in Assessment
Rethink/Redesign of student assessment methods with the aid of technology
With the advancement of technology, the use of online/mixed-mode activities like virtual exchanges, online collaboration, online global discussion/forums etc. have gained much popularity at higher education for enhancing face-to-face learning and teaching. Educators need to rethink/redesign assessment with the aid of technology for evaluating student learning performance and giving timely feedback to students during the learning process.
More information on how HKBU brings a paradigm shift to our curriculum and assessment by developing authentic assessment instruments and scoring rubrics could be found on our Advanced Study Institute (ASI) website. Good practices (feature stories) from HKBU are showcased at the renowned scholars’ website Kay Sambell and Sally Brown – Compendium 4: Thirteen authentic assessment examples from Hong Kong (9 examples from HKBU) (over 2,700 downloads).
Operated by CHTL, the ECQA aims to assist the University in ascertaining how well students have achieved its Seven Graduate Attributes (GAs) through collection of direct and indirect evidence. Figure 1 and Figure 2 illustrate its components and operation respectively.
The aforesaid two types of evidence are triangulated to ascertain student achievement of GAs under the University’s learning environment of offering Best Student Experience (BSE), this in turn, can help inform the University of quality assurance and enhancement in learning and teaching.
Figure 1. ECQA Components
Figure 2. ECQA Operation
Benefits of ECQA
Identify strengths and weaknesses in learning and teaching
Provide recommendations to quality assurance and quality enhancement of learning and teaching
Identify and disseminate good practices
Constitute credible evidence about the values of HKBU’s education
For details of UAP, SLEQ and OA, please click them respectively.
Support for Learning and Teaching at HKBU
Teaching and Learning Experience Sharing (TALES) Seminar Series
The main goal of the TALES seminar series is to foster sharing and discussions among colleagues about innovations in learning and teaching. The TALES series offers great opportunities for colleagues from our University and invites scholars from around the world to present their new ideas, showcase new pedagogical innovations, and reflect on their practices in learning and teaching.
Staff Enrichment Week, designed as an Induction Programme for new academic and teaching staff at HKBU, aims to familiarise new colleagues with the University's learning and teaching environment and culture. The Programme consists of two parts: (1) online initiatives (6 hours) and (2) Faculty Development Day (5 hours). While primarily for new staff, current colleagues are also welcome to join. Completing the Induction Programme, totalling 11 hours is mandatory for new academic and teaching staff up to the rank of Assistant Professor.
1. Online Initiatives Available for New Academic and Teaching Staff (6 hours)
Deadline for completion: By the end of September 2024
(i) "Outcomes-based Teaching and Learning @HKBU" Online Course (4 hours)*
To better equip new teaching colleagues with the pedagogies adopted at the University, this 4-hour online course covers essential teaching theories, the OBTL approach, CRA, and more. Colleagues can access and complete the course content anytime and anywhere.
(ii) Induction Online Quiz (2 hours)
To enhance teachers’ knowledge and understanding of our University’s Institutional Strategic Plan 2018-2028 (ISP) as well as other T&L policies, this online quiz takes you through a series of questions designed to enhance your familiarity with the ISP and your ability to design learning and assessment activities based around T&L policies.
Please be reminded to check your HKBU email account for details of the arrangement for the Online Initiatives.
2. Faculty Development Day (5 hours)
To explore various Academic Support Units at HKBU and gather valuable insights from experienced teachers, new academic and teaching staff are expected to participate in the one-day, face-to-face Faculty Development Day. This event offers valuable resources, networking opportunities, and the chance to cultivate a positive learning and teaching environment while promoting professional growth.
* Mandatory workshop and online course for new academic/teaching colleagues up to the rank of Assistant Professor
EdTech Kickoff Series
The Digital Learning and Teaching Series aims to facilitate colleagues in adopting related e-pedagogy through different digital learning and teaching tools, including Learning Management System (e.g. Moodle) and Personal Response System (e.g. Mentimeter) to enhance learning and teaching at the University. These workshops are usually held before the commencement of each semester.
You can view your workshop attendance record on the CHTL website, under "For Teachers" » "Staff Development Activities Records".
Other Resources
Teaching Grants
The University entrusts the CHTL to administer some teaching grants for supporting innovative initiatives, including the Teaching Development Grants (TDG), the Communities of Practice (CoPs) Funding, and the grant for developing online courses/blended learning initiatives with KEEP (Please refer to the previous section for details of our internationalisation initiatives with KEEP).
Our HKBU HEA Fellowship Scheme was officially accredited by Advance HE in August 2022. The Scheme supports colleagues in the application of three categories of HEA Fellowship. Colleagues completing this programme successfully will be awarded the corresponding HEA Fellowship.
More details of HKBU HEA Fellowship Scheme are available here.
Consultation Sessions
The CHTL provides advice to academic/teaching colleagues to identify strategies to enhance learning and teaching, including exploring ways to enhance student experience, assisting them to formulate their proposal ideas for various funding opportunities (e.g. TDG, CoPs etc.). This consultation service, available to individuals and groups, will be kept private and confidential. To arrange a consultation, please contact us at chtl@hkbu.edu.hk.
The Centre for Holistic Teaching and Learning (CHTL) at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) and all associated marks and logos are trademarks, registered trademarks and service marks of the HKBU.
