Since the outbreak of novel coronavirus, online platform has been widely applied as a distance teaching tool. The online platform can also be used in sizable meetings. Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) is the first faculty in UM which held a large-scale multi-party video Academic Council meeting by using online platform on 11 March 2020. This is a breakthrough during this difficult time as it becomes a new way of communication that inspires other groups by offering an alternative for sizable meetings in the future.
Under the influence of novel coronavirus, FST is still moving up. For the first time, FST makes a breakthrough by using innovative method to make a transition from face-to face meeting to an online meeting. The online meeting was conducted with synchronous communication in a form of one main conference hall and four classrooms. Except for welcoming new members of the faculty, it also reported the research status and shared the development plan of the faculty. The Department of Computer and Information Science submitted a proposal of a new Master of Science degree programme in Financial Technology (FinTech) for discussion. This programme is planned to be launched in the coming academic year in order to response to the market needs. It contains elements of information technology and financial innovation including artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing and big data. The FinTech programme has been endorsed by the committee. In addition, Prof. Xu Cheng-Zhong, Dean of FST, shared the five-year development plan which had been approved by the UM and the University Council. Prof. Wong Pak Kin, Associate Dean of FST (Academic Affairs), also reported the work progress on the application of the accreditation of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE). Prof. Tam Kam Weng, Associate Dean (Research and Graduate Studies), reported the status of postgraduate admission and the latest procedures for research funding application. The meeting concluded with the announcement of the awardees of FST Teaching and Research Excellence Award 2019/2020.
Nearly 100 academic and administrative staff participated in the meeting. The software “Zoom” was used for video communication which has a function of screen sharing so that participants can see the same content and join the discussion. The online platform and software are not only efficient and convenient, but also create new change at communication. FST is seeking for a scientific and technological innovation and breakthrough even during the fight against the novel coronavirus. The multi-party video conference will become the successful experience in the future. There must be a new look at communication after the end of novel coronavirus outbreak.
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