Newsletter No. 361

16 No. 361, 19.8.2010 下回〈十方吐露〉將訪問蒲慕州教授 Prof. Poo Mu-chou will be featured in the next instalment of ‘TEN QUESTIONS FOR’. 預告 Coming 1 你在香港上中學，這段經歷對你之後的發展和方向有 何影響？ You attended high school in Hong Kong. How did that experience shape your subsequent growth and choice of field? 我很感激伊利沙伯中學，母校教導我解決問題的能力，也令 我培養出對學習始終不渝的興趣。我很喜歡數學和理科。當 時新推行的新數學課程令我明白到批判思維和獨立思考能力 的重要。我留學美國攻讀電機工程，升上研究院則改唸計算 機科學。 I owe a great deal to my high school, Queen Elizabeth School, for instilling in me the discipline to pursue solutions to problems and a lifelong interest in learning. I was already interested in math and science, and from the modern math syllabus (newly introduced at the time) I gained a better understanding about what critical and independent thinking involved. Leaving Hong Kong for the US to attend college, I chose to study electrical engineering, and later computer science in graduate school. 2 十多年前你在中大任教計算機科目，獲得模範教學 獎。你有何教學訣竅？ You taught at CUHK over a decade ago and immediately got an exemplary teaching award. What is your secret to teaching computer subjects to undergraduates? 身為人師，當教授最大的回報是能夠形塑學生的學習經驗。 我教授的計算機網絡是當時的熱門科目，有近百人修讀。我 自己設計課程，要求他們自行設計協議機，這是很花時間和 艱巨的工作。我鼓勵學生合作，從小組討論中學習。那些不 畏艱難完成這項工作的學生令我感到自豪，他們是中大學生 優秀品質的典範。 As a professor and teacher, the most rewarding part is being able to shape a student’s learning experience. The subject I was teaching, computer networks, was especially hot at the time, and the class attracted almost 100 undergraduates. Creating my own curriculum, I challenged the students to design a protocol machine, a time-consuming and non- trivial task. I encouraged students to work together and learn through group discussions. I am proud of all the students who took up the challenge and completed the project—they truly exemplify the outstanding quality of students at CUHK. 3 身為知名的計算機科學家，你認為計算機科學未來有 何發展？ As a renowned computer scientist, what do you think the future of computer science will be like? 計算機科學的發展史充滿科技突破，帶動一系列新軟件、計 算法和應用程式的出現。這一領域至今仍潛力無限。量子計 算和DNA計算的新概念不斷出現，將導致計算機科學翻天覆 地的變化。之所以有這些新科技，是因為無論從模擬天文現 象以至核彈試驗，都需要運算能力更強的電腦去處理和分析 資料。 The history of computer science is full of examples of technological breakthroughs that are constantly redefining the forefront in software, algorithms, and applications. There is much that has yet to be discovered. New concepts are regularly emerging in quantum and DNA computing that will revolutionize computing. At the centre of all this, there is the increasing necessity for greater computational power to process and analyse information, ranging in scope from the astronomical to the atomic. 4 你是大學教育資助委員會研究資助局（研資局）成員 及其工程學學科小組主席，為何有興趣擔任此職？ What got you interested in serving as a member of the Research Grants Council of the University Grants Committee and as chairman of its Engineering Panel? 我曾任幾所本地大學的校外考試委員和顧問，很清楚要解決 日後的問題須靠今天的研究，而研究工作有賴足夠資源和經 費。有幸曾加入研資局服務香港學術界，我感到很光榮。 Given my previous experiences as external examiner and adviser for several local universities, I recognize the importance of providing the necessary resources and funding for today’s research that will be solving tomorrow’s problems. As a former member of the Research Grants Council, I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve the Hong Kong academic community in this manner. 5 身為中大首位常務副校長，你有何願景和首要工作？ As the first Provost of CUHK, what vision do you have and what are your priorities? 身負協助校長掌管大學教務的責任，我的目標是提高國內和 國際社會對中大的教育、研究和服務的認同。首要工作是確 保中大卓越的學術地位，延攬和留住學術人才，並使大學社 群繼續保持活潑的學術氣氛，令人人樂於前來。我認為中大 很有條件達到這些目標，因為我們擁有令大學成為一流學府 的出色教研人員；位處城郊的校園是學習和研究的理想地 點；而同事間開放的交流，更是融洽緊密社群的標誌。 Deputizing for the Vice-Chancellor as CUHK’s principal academic officer, my goal is to raise CUHK’s national as well as international recognition and respect in education, research, and community services. My priorities are to ensure CUHK’s academic excellence; to recruit and retain the cream of the crop in terms of faculty members; and to sustain a welcoming and vibrant university community. I think we are in a great position to achieve these goals— we have a distinguished faculty whose accomplishments continue to make the university a first-rate institution; our suburban location is an ideal enclave for learning and research; and the spirit of open exchange I’ve observed among my colleagues already indicates a strong sense of community. 6 就任常務副校長幾個月來，你做了哪些工作？ What have you done in the past months as Provost? 我在到任最初幾個月，走訪了所有八所學院五十九個學系，增 進自己對中大和各學院、學系獨有問題的了解，這令我更堅 信中大在此成長的時刻，需要審慎的策略計劃以為未來的發 展做好準備，尤其是現在各學院聘任全職院長和實行新的單 項預算制度。因此我們聘請了顧問，就制訂學院的策略計劃 提供意見，我們也在7月成立了規劃處，令這些計劃的制訂至 今進展順利。我們採取了許多措施加強與學院、員工和學生 之間的溝通。我手頭正在進行的項目包括：籌備深圳研究院、 草擬提交教資會的三年學術發展計劃、改革本校的晉升和實 任程序，以及編製一部全面的教職員手冊。 In my first few months at CUHK, I visited all eight Faculties and 59 departments to gain a greater understanding of the University and the issues unique to each Faculty and department. The experience confirmed my belief that at this juncture in its growth, CUHK needs prudent strategic planning to adequately prepare for its future development. This is particularly crucial in light of the appointed deans and a new Faculty-based one-line budgeting system. We have engaged a consultant to advise on the development of Faculty strategic plans and are currently making excellent progress after establishing a Planning Office in July. Numerous steps have also been taken to improve communications with Faculties, staff, and students. Ongoing projects include the development of our Shenzhen Research Institute; the preparation of our triennium academic development proposal for submission to UGC; the revision of our promotion and substantiation procedure; and the compilation of a comprehensive faculty and staff handbook. 7 你對中大在內地的計劃有何看法？ What do you think of CUHK’s initiatives on the mainland? 我們已有穩固和大有可為的開始，深圳先進集成技術研 究所為我們摸索出可以依循的方向，本校與深圳市政府 在教育和研究方面的長期合作，也為我們奠下了基礎。 待到明年深圳研究院啟用，我們就會有完善的平台進行 尖端研究和技術轉移，標誌着本校在內地的發展邁進 一大步。 We already have a solid and promising start, thanks to both our Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Integration Technology and our enduring partnership in education and research with the Shenzhen Municipal Government. The opening of the Shenzhen Research Institute next year represents a big step forward in our mainland endeavours, as we will have a full-fledged platform for conducting cutting-edge research and enabling technology transfers. 8 在深圳設立校園對中大社群有何影響？ What would a second campus in Shenzhen bring to the University community? 深圳校園計劃若能實現，會是中大歷史上最重要的里程碑之 一，足可影響未來幾十年區內教育事業的發展。中國的教育 體制正經歷巨變，我們必須參與其中，發揮更積極的作用。 深圳校園有助我們提升教研能力，此外，藉着辦學和科研， 我們可為珠三角地區的發展貢獻更多。我們會時刻以審慎的 態度周詳地考慮這項計劃，並充分諮詢教職員、學生和校友 的意見，以維護中大固有的原則和精神。 A second campus in Shenzhen would be one of the most significant events in the University’s history and, if realized, would have tremendous impact on the regional educational landscape for the next few decades. In a time of substantial reforms to China’s educational system, it is important that we play an active role in the process. A campus in Shenzhen would enhance our teaching and research capabilities, as well as increase our contribution to the development of the Pearl River Delta region in terms of education and R&D. We will be giving the proposal careful and thorough consideration through all stages, with due consultation of our staff, students and alumni, to ensure that we uphold the principles and core values of the university. 9 新成立的規劃處的職責是甚麼？ What will the newly established Planning Office do? 現時規劃處由我領導，將負責趨勢和政策的調查分析工作， 以協助各學院制訂策略計劃。到了2016年大學制訂新一份策 略計劃時，各學院的策略計劃會納入其中，那時候規劃處將 協調大學的整體規劃，發揮更重要的作用。 The Planning Office, which is presently under my supervision, will survey and analyse trends and policies and facilitate the Faculties in developing their strategic plans. When the Faculty strategic plans are integrated with the University’s next strategic plan in 2016, the Planning Office will play a larger role in coordinating the overall planning of the University. 10 無需開會和審閱建議書時，有何消遣？ What interest do you pursue when you are not chairing meetings and reading proposals? 我喜歡和家人去行山。雖然我在香港成長，但以前沒有太多 機會去感受此地的自然美景。能遠離塵囂到戶外走走，包括 我們綠意盎然的校園，委實是令人心曠神怡之事。 I enjoy spending time with my family and going hiking. Growing up in Hong Kong, I didn’t have many opportunities to experience the natural beauty of the region. It’s both relaxing and invigorating to be able to appreciate the great outdoors, including our lush campus, apart from the hustle and bustle of the city. 華雲生 Prof. Benjamin W. Wah