Extract of Congratulatory Message by Chair, 2025 UGC Teaching Award Selection Panel at the Presentation Ceremony of the 2025 UGC Teaching Award (29.9.2025)
2025 UGC Teaching Award
Extract of Congratulatory Message by
Chair, 2025 UGC Teaching Award Selection Panel at the
Presentation Ceremony of the 2025 UGC Teaching Award
(29.9.2025)
Tim, Council Chairmen, Presidents, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good afternoon. Today is a special day which we gather to celebrate the exceptional achievements of educators across the UGC sector at the 2025 UGC Teaching Award Presentation Ceremony.
2. Over the past few months, our Panel has carefully reviewed a total of 22 nominations from UGC-funded universities. From this impressive pool, we selected six outstanding finalists who demonstrated remarkable skill, innovation, and passion for teaching. I invite you all to join me in applauding these finalists for their steadfast commitment to excellence in education.
3. Now, it is my pleasure to announce the recipients of the 2025 UGC Teaching Award:
4. First, for the award in the General Faculty Members Category, the award goes to Professor Shirley Ngai from PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences. Her visionary leadership in physiotherapy education has transformed the field through pioneering medical simulation and integrating advanced technologies like Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality. Her commitment to holistic education has impacted thousands of learners and set new standards in our profession. Notably, Professor Ngai is also the first ever faculty member to receive the UGC Teaching Award twice, having previously won in the Early Career Faculty Members Category in 2016.
5. Next, for the award in the Early Career Faculty Members category, the award goes to Professor Jeffrey Leung from PolyU School of Optometry. His commitment to experiential learning shines through his dynamic, real-world projects that nurture students’ critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration skills. By transforming traditional assignments into engaging group initiatives and spearheading interdisciplinary efforts, he has deepened students’ empathy and social responsibility. His innovative AI-assisted clinical skill assessment system further enhances diagnostic training, showcasing his dedication to advancing healthcare education and fostering well-rounded, compassionate professionals.
6. Finally, for the UGC Teaching Award in the Collaborative Teams category, the award goes to the HKBU Transdisciplinary Innovation Team. The team is led by Professor Kwok Wai Cheung, with Dr Glos Ho, Professor Kingsley Ng, Professor Wendy Huang and Professor Yin Zhang. The team unites faculty members, community leaders, and global partners to empower students in addressing real-world challenges aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, such as Responsible Consumption and Production, Good Health and Well-being and Sustainable Cities and Communities. Through pioneering programmes, particularly the individualised major, they foster innovation, collaboration, and personalised learning, enriching student experiences and driving educational transformation across the region.
7. Once again, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the awardees for this year. You are true ambassadors of excellent teaching, and you need to thank yourself for the tireless commitment to quality education and for inspiring the next generation of educators. I would also like to thank my colleagues on the Selection Panel for their dedication throughout this process.
8. Thank you, and I wish you all a wonderful event.