Department of Computer Science Shines in Advancing AI Education through HKBU GE Teaching Awards

The Department is delighted to share that two of our faculty members, Dr. Wilson Yu, recipient of the Individual GE Award, and Dr. Jacky Chan, recipient of the GE Team Teaching Award, have been recognised in the General Education (GE) Teaching Awards for AY2025/26, reflecting our significant role in advancing AI education at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU).

Blended Experiential and Project-based Learning in the Age of AI

Dr. Wilson Yu was awarded the Individual GE Award for his innovative course titled “ChatGPT – The Start of a New Wave of Generative AI”. Emphasising blended experiential and project-based learning, Dr. Yu’s course bridges theory and practice by using real-world industry tools and projects. Through a “learn-by-play” approach, students are empowered to build solutions and gain confidence independently. The course also promotes data-driven mindsets, equipping students with critical thinking and analytical skills for innovation.

“My teaching philosophy centres on ‘learn-by-play’ where students actively engage with AI through hands-on experiences and collaboration. By blending knowledge from different disciplines and fostering thoughtful conversations about ethics and responsibility, I hope to help students navigate the complexities of AI and discover meaningful solutions to real-world challenges. It is a privilege to guide students on this journey, and I am continually inspired by their curiosity and commitment to learning,” says Dr. Yu. To this end, his lessons incorporate multiple learning modalities, including hands-on lab activities, group projects, field trips, and sharing sessions with industry experts.

Transdisciplinary Teaching to Foster Critical AI Literacies for Social Good

Recognising the profound impact of AI on society, Dr. Jacky Chan and his transdisciplinary team, including Professor Peter Nelson from the Academy of Visual Arts, Professor Lola Xie from the Department of Communication Studies, and Dr. Dimple R. Thadani from the Department of Management, Marketing and Information Systems, have been honoured with the GE Team Teaching Award for their exceptional work on the course “Critical AI Literacies: Embracing AI for Social Good”.

Co-taught by a transdisciplinary team spanning Computer Science, Visual Arts, Communication Studies, and Business, the course offers a holistic, hands-on understanding of AI. The team designed a dynamic learning environment that blends technical mastery with ethical reflection, creative production, and societal analysis. Through flipped classrooms, interactive labs, real-world debates, and collaborative projects, students gain practical skills alongside critical awareness.

“Transdisciplinary collaboration is essential for understanding and shaping AI’s role in society. By crossing disciplinary boundaries, we equip HKBU students not only with technical skills but with the creativity, ethical grounding, and responsibility to use AI for social good. This is how we prepare future leaders to make a meaningful difference,” Dr. Jacky Chan adds.

Departmental Commitment to AI Curriculum Excellence

The Department extends its heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Yu, Dr. Chan and his transdisciplinary team for their dedication and excellence in elevating HKBU’s AI education. These recognitions reinforce our significant role in driving AI curriculum innovation and in equipping HKBU students with diverse skills, interdisciplinary insights, and ethical foundations needed to thrive in the evolving digital landscape.

About the HKBU General Education Teaching Award

The GE Teaching Award, part of the University’s President’s Award for Outstanding Performance in Teaching, honours academic staff for exceptional contributions and devotion to the teaching of General Education courses at HKBU.