Campus Digest
HKBU appoints Dr Albert Chau as Vice-President (Teaching and Learning)
25 Apr 2016
Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) announced today (25 April 2016) that the Council of the University has approved the appointment of Dr Albert Chau Wai-lap as Vice-President for Teaching and Learning (VPTL), with effect from 1 July 2016.
As VPTL, Dr Albert Chau will be responsible for the University’s teaching and learning for the nurturing of creative, caring and ethical global citizens. He will lead the development of curriculum and academic programmes, quality assurance, innovative learning such as experiential learning and eLearning, student recruitment and placement, and globalisation of teaching and learning.
Dr Chau received his BSc in Industrial Engineering and Postgraduate Certificate in Psychology at The University of Hong Kong (HKU), and MSc and PhD in psychology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA. He then taught at the Department of Psychology at HKU, serving as assistant professor and associate professor. He was Associate Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences (2000-2002), Director of General Education (2002-2015), and Dean of Student Affairs (2005-2015). Dr Chau is currently Consultant of the New York-based Stephen A Schwarzman Education Foundation.
Professor Roland Chin, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU, welcomed the appointment. He said: “We are very pleased to have Dr Albert Chau joining our senior management team. Given his outstanding track record in student affairs, general education, leadership in teaching and learning, as well as seasoned academic leadership and ability, we are confident that he will inspire students and faculty members to excel in their academic pursuits and work together to achieve the University’s teaching and learning mission and aspiration.”
During his time at HKU, Dr Chau actively participated in various teaching and learning activities including the preparation of the University Grants Committee Academic Development Proposals and the Quality Assurance Council academic audits. His leadership role in general education and student affairs enabled him to integrate service learning, experiential learning, development of social and entrepreneurial skills, appreciation of art and culture, and global outlook into student development.
Devoted to community service, Dr Chau has served on committees and panels related to secondary and tertiary education. He was also appointed to several Government committees or advisory panels related to education, elderly affairs, the environment and broadcasting; and volunteered his expertise to a few charities and non-governmental organisations engaged in youth development, heritage preservation and arts and culture.
HKBU set up a Search Committee for the Provost and for the Vice-President (Teaching and Learning) in October 2015. The committee is chaired by Deputy Council Chairman Mrs Pamela Chan Wong Shui and members include Council Treasurer Mrs Doreen Chan, Council member Mr Paul Poon, President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Roland Chin, elected staff representatives (Professor Edward Snape, Professor Sandy Li and Professor Lo Ping-cheung), President of the HKBU Students’ Union Mr Wong Chun-hin and representative of the HKBU Postgraduate Association Ms Pan Wenhui.
The HKBU Council approved the Search Committee’s recommendation of Dr Chau’s appointment at its meeting today, following three sessions of open forums for Dr Chau to meet members of the University community. The views collected at the sessions were presented to the Council for its deliberation of the recommendation.
More information on Dr Albert Chau is available at: http://cpro.hkbu.edu.hk/hkbunews/2015-16/20160425-vptl-bio.pdf.