Video series helps to remove borders
Motoring | Natasha Tai 17 May 2022
One of the most common roles of a university is to prepare students for jobs in a specified discipline. But with an increasing number of employers requiring a degree, some students may be pursuing higher education for more than one reason.
Seeking to improve university education, City University of Hong Kong has launched a series hosted by president Way Kuo to explore contemporary education through dialogue.
Titled "Beyond Boundaries: Dialogue with Presidents of World's Leading Educational Institutions," the series highlights contemporary educational issues and challenges offered by leaders of renowned universities and secondary schools.
"We look and think beyond conventional boundaries to educate the future generation who will work in a range of cultures," said Kuo. "We are always ready to devote resources to expanding our global partnerships with overseas institutions and providing a diverse menu of overseas learning opportunities."
The series took three years of planning, consisting of a combination of face-to-face meetings and videoconferencing.
In each episode, experts examine the characteristics of global education.
Kuo talks to education leaders to discuss topics and ideas in education. The discussions raise problems within the system and explore possible solutions to better improve it.
Each episode starts with an introduction to the featured institution through photos, videos and an overview of the local education system. In the second half Kuo interviews the leader of the institution.
In a recent episode featuring Sabine Kunst of Humboldt University of Berlin, Kuo and Kunst talked about practices at the German university.
"Humboldt was the first to put forward the idea of the integration of research and teaching, something that I think universities in the United States do better than anyone else nowadays," said Kuo. "Universities in Hong Kong and other parts of Asia should learn from these institutions."
Kunst highlights the concept of integrating an interdisciplinary approach in the field of research, a modern view.
She said: "That is also what we try to deliver with our strategy today, so that we are one of the leading universities in Germany who combine different disciplines working together in large research projects, and also our clusters of excellence with whom we were awarded those of interdisciplinary approach."
With examples such as combining robotics with psychology, or a cluster of Matters of Activity, which includes the cooperation of 40 disciplines and scientists from various fields, the episode explores how this method of researching and teaching facilitates a Humboldtian style for higher learning.
Through the dialogue, Kuo also shows CityU's shared advocacy for the integration of teaching and research. By producing and hosting this series, along with the help of CityU's students and staff, he intends to develop networks to reach audiences around the world.
His hope is that the exchange of ideas between educational experts can generate future collaborations and help find solutions to commonly shared problems.
Despite being interviewed many times by world media, this series marks Kuo's debut as an interviewer.
"This role is exciting and enlightening, and the honor of interviewing the presidents of these renowned universities is all mine," he said. "However, credit goes to the production team, which is mainly composed of CityU faculty, students and staff. They are responsible for producing, filming, lighting, dubbing and post-production. They are the ones who help create the magic."
In addition, Kuo is also presented with an opportunity to address challenges faced not only by Hong Kong universities but those all over the world.
"Universities are not only places for awarding degrees. They should lead society, train creativity and benefit people. Ultimately, we should give back to society through learning and scientific research activities," he said.
"People often focus on degrees but not their actual utility. Why should students study for a degree if their university doesn't help them to fulfill their potential? Bright students will make their own choices."
Among other institutions featured are the University of Cape Town, Indian Institute of Technology, Tohoku University, Universitat Stuttgart, Shanghai Jiaotong University and Hong Kong Diocesan Girls' School.
Website: www.cityu.edu.hk/beyond-boundaries/
natasha.tai@singtaonewscorp.com
