Academic Year 2024/25
Sparking off FSTE’s 30th anniversary this year (2024), FSTE Teaching Excellence Award (TEA) is established to recognise and reward FSTE Member Institutions’ teachers with excellent teaching performance. This annual sector-wide Award also aims to promote and share good practices for learning and teaching in order to foster a culture of quality enhancement amongst Member Institutions (covering the majority of higher education institutions in Hong Kong).
Awardees
Dr. Venus Chan is an Associate Professor at Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) and a Learning and Teaching Evangelist specializing in the integration of cutting-edge technologies (e.g., AI and XR) into language education. At the time of the award nomination, she was an Assistant Professor.
As a passionate educator and researcher, her work focuses on Technology-Enhanced Language Learning (TELL) and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), emphasizing research-informed, learner-centered teaching approaches that leverage innovative technologies and adaptive pedagogies.
A recipient of the President’s Award for Excellence in Inspirational Teaching, Dr. Chan is recognized for her ability to bridge research and practice to transform learning and teaching, driving meaningful change in education.
As the principal investigator of numerous funded research projects, Dr. Chan has successfully secured substantial external and internal funding, along with in-kind donations, to advance her work. Her groundbreaking contributions include the development of mobile apps, online platforms, and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) to enhance skills in interpreting, public speaking, and translation technology.
Dr. Chan’s applied and educational research has made a significant academic and social impact by benefiting learners worldwide. Her innovative initiatives continue to shape the future of education, empowering individuals and fostering global learning communities.
Great teaching begins not with answers, but with questions. My philosophy centers on sparking genuine curiosity through Socratic questioning and cooperative inquiry, guiding students to bridge cognitive gaps and reconstruct their understanding. In my classroom, we move beyond passive learning to active co-construction of knowledge—whether redesigning classroom practices in kindergartens or conducting action research that brings tangible change.
I am deeply grateful to my students, whose voices and growth inspire me daily, and to Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education for nurturing an environment where innovation in teaching thrives. This award reaffirms the power of student-centered, inquiry-driven education. My hope is to continue empowering future educators to listen to children, champion autonomy, and create inclusive, transformative learning environments for our next generation.
Honourable Mentions
We are thrilled to receive the Honourable Mention for the FSTE Teaching Excellence Award. Our Service-Learning subject, Storytelling for Understanding: Refugee Children in Hong Kong, uses personal narratives to foster cultural understanding and community service. Integrating digital tools, our teaching centres on storytelling with empathy—cultivating connection, creativity, and critical reflection. In an age increasingly shaped by AI, we believe education must remain profoundly human, grounded in care and compassion. Learning, for us, is a shared narrative where teachers and students co-create meaning. We thank the panel, our CPCE colleagues and students, PolyU’s Service-Learning and Leadership Office, and Christian Action’s Centre for Refugees for their continued trust and support.
I am deeply honoured to receive the Honourable Mention of the FSTE Teaching Excellence Award AY2024/25. My teaching philosophy centers on student‑centered, experiential learning that bridges theory and practice, empowering students to develop critical thinking, adaptability, and a lifelong passion for learning. I strive to create a welcoming and engaging environment where students feel supported to explore, question, and develop their potential.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the panel for this recognition. I am also deeply grateful to my colleagues and students at CUSCS. Their support, trust, and enthusiasm inspire me to keep innovating and growing as an educator. I am truly grateful to be part of this meaningful teaching journey.
Return to the current cycle of TEA Overview.