Talent Interview Special Edition | The Power of "Her" in HKUST(GZ)

The series report "Talent Interview"

- Special Edition for International Women's Day 2023 -

Today marks the first International Women's Day celebration at HKUST(GZ) since its establishment. The "Talent Interview" series has invited four women from various positions - administrative management, teaching and research, laboratory management - who have made significant contributions in their respective fields. Some of them have a long-standing connection with HKUST and HKUST(GZ), while others are new to the campus. On this special day, let's listen to their inspiring stories along with HKUST(GZ) and their remarkable journeys.

Li Guimei

Director of Office of Administrative Resources & Deputy Director of Office of Assets Management at HKUST(GZ)

Huang Yu

Head of External Relations Department & Head of Talent Services Department at HKUST(GZ)

Ma Jinyuan

Researcher of Institute of Educational Innovation and Practice/ College of Education Sciences at HKUST(GZ)

Xu Gu

Senior Manager of Materials Characterization and Preparation Facility at HKUST(GZ)

Q: Why did you choose to join HKUST(GZ)?

Li Guimei: I joined the HKUST Fok Ying Tung Research Institute in Guangzhou in 2010, when President Lionel NI (the current President of HKUST(GZ)) was serving as the Dean of the Research Institute. At that time, the Research Institute had just been established and faced many institutional challenges, which required a lot of firefighting work every day. As a branch of HKUST in mainland China, there were many close contacts and exchanges between the Research Institute and HKUST in my work. When I first joined the Research Institute, I mainly worked on financial matters and gradually took charge of the overall administrative work of the Research Institute.

In late 2018, HKUST began preparations to establish HKUST(GZ) under the leadership of President Wei Shyy (the fourth President of HKUST). In early 2019, I participated in the first working meeting with the Guangzhou Municipal Government. I vividly remember President Wei Shyy's visit to Guangzhou, where he pointed to a nearby piece of land and said, "This land will be the future site of HKUST(GZ)."

Since receiving official approval for establishment in September 2019 and obtaining its legal status in 2020, most of the administrative team from the HKUST Fok Ying Tung Research Institute in Guangzhou, including myself, have been transferred to support the initial setup of HKUST(GZ). I was fortunate to be involved in the entire process of building HKUST(GZ). For me, joining HKUST(GZ) was a natural choice and there was no particular reason why I did so.

Huang Yu: Before joining HKUST(GZ), I had been working in Hong Kong to promote educational technology exchanges between the mainland and Hong Kong. Through my work, I had close connections with the higher education and technology sectors in Hong Kong, and thus became aware of HKUST's plan to collaborate with the Guangzhou Municipal Government and Guangzhou University to establish HKUST(GZ).

I have been working in higher education management for a long time. I believe that whether in academic or administrative work, anyone who works in the higher education sector holds a dream of "educational reform." The determination of HKUST(GZ) to explore a new model for global higher education and its unique development philosophy of "UNIFIED HKUST - COMPLEMENTARY CAMPUSES" were both very attractive to me, so I chose to join the institution.

Xu Gu: Before coming to HKUST(GZ), I had worked for 20 years at the Materials Characterization and Preparation Facility (MCPF) at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. MCPF is one of HKUST's most successful central laboratories. When I learned that the plan for HKUST(GZ) included building an MCPF, I thought that if I could bring the knowledge and experience I had gained in the United States and Hong Kong to contribute to the creation and development of HKUST(GZ), which shares the same roots with HKUST, it would be a great way to bring my professional career to a successful conclusion.

During my time at the Materials Characterization and Preparation Facility (MCPF) at HKUST, I managed several laboratories including electromagnetics, electron microscopy, nanofabrication, and thin film preparation, as well as overseeing their daily operations. Additionally, I was responsible for safety inspections and regulations at MCPF. Based on these experiences, during the early preparations for HKUST(GZ), I began providing consulting advice for the planning, construction, and layout of the research center. In 2021, I officially became a member of HKUST(GZ), making me one of the earliest members to join the team building HKUST(GZ).

Xu Gu (third person from the left in the first row) at HKUST MCPF

Ma Jinyuan: Prior to joining HKUST(GZ), I worked at the Higher Education Research Center of the Southern University of Science and Technology and was involved in the establishment of the first international organization in Shenzhen, the UNESCO International Center for Higher Education Innovation. I also worked for the Education Department of the UNESCO Beijing Office and served as a United Nations official at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. As for my education, I earned my Bachelor's degree from the School of International Studies at Peking University, my Master's degree in Higher Education and International Comparative Education from the University of Toronto, and my Ph.D. in Higher Education and International Comparative Education from the University of Hong Kong.

During my time at Southern University of Science and Technology, I was involved in promoting research on new engineering education. Inevitably, I interviewed Professor Wu Jingshen, the creator of the School of System Design and Intelligent Manufacturing (SDIM) - the "China Engineering Education Reform Laboratory" at SUSTech, who is now the Vice-President (Teaching & Learning) of HKUST(GZ). Through two in-depth interviews, I was deeply impressed by his idealistic and steadfast belief in promoting higher education reform and his commitment to nurturing students. However, at the time, I thought some of his ideas about talent development paradigm reform were "idealistic." Once I joined the reform team, I realized that he was a "pragmatic idealist" (laughs). Later, I followed in Professor Wu's footsteps and joined HKUST(GZ).

Q: What are your primary duties and responsibilities at HKUST(GZ)?

Li Guimei: My current job is similar in scope to my previous work at the Research Institute, which involves overseeing personnel, finance, and logistics. I also coordinate matters related to students' daily lives, such as meals, accommodations, and transportation. This includes liaising closely with the logistics department on matters such as dining, dormitories, furniture, landscaping, and more. Of course, going from a research institute to a university, the scale of the work is much larger, and the pressure is much greater.

In the early stages of HKUST(GZ)'s development, our team was relatively small, and the majority of the workload was handled by HKUST's team who were also working part-time for the project. I had to balance my work at the research institute while also contributing to the efforts at HKUST(GZ), and it wasn't until 2022 that I was able to fully hand over my responsibilities at the research institute.

Huang Yu: I joined the university in November 2021, and initially focused on the establishment and preparations for the opening of the university. After the start of the academic year, my work switched to administrative management and service for daily operations. In summary, my team and I are responsible for external relations and internal coordination. This not only includes work related to external relations and talent services, but also many tasks that are traditionally carried out by the president's office of a university. As the university is still in its early stages of establishment and the organizational structure is still being established and improved, there are many tasks that are yet to be assigned to specific teams, and we need to lay the foundation for them.

I believe that the focus of our work at HKUST(GZ) mainly revolves around three aspects. Firstly, as a university that collaborates with both mainland China and Hong Kong, we encounter different cultural clashes every day. It is our responsibility to build a bridge within the university and between the university and external stakeholders to ensure that parties from different systems, cultures, ways of thinking, and styles of action can communicate effectively and collaborate closely. Secondly, as an international university rooted in China, we need to provide decision-making references to assist the university in determining where to integrate and converge, and where to adhere to unique development. Lastly, to gain support, we must first ensure that people understand and comprehend our mission. This requires us to accurately convey the essence of the university's education to external stakeholders, gain their understanding, and then obtain their heartfelt recognition and support.

Xu Gu: Although I hold a Ph.D. in Physics, my education also encompassed professional training in various fields such as Quantum Optics, Materials Engineering, and Nanomanufacturing. This exposure to diverse disciplines has given me practical experience and a better understanding of the requirements and demands of interdisciplinary scientific research, which has been very beneficial in my current role.

As part of my role at HKUST(GZ), I oversee the construction, management, and development planning of the MCPF (Materials Characterization and Preparation Facility). This involves procuring and installing experimental equipment, establishing laboratory support systems, standardizing management and operational rules for the research center, providing guidance and training for new colleagues, and developing plans for the future growth of the MCPF. The development of the MCPF at HKUST(GZ) draws on the mature experiences and models of HKUST while also integrating the requirements of laboratory safety management standards in China. However, regardless of any differences in management models, our priority is always to ensure the efficient operation of the research center and provide the best possible support services for teaching and research throughout the laboratory management process.

Ma Jinyuan: My current role comprises two primary responsibilities. Firstly, I oversee the planning and design of the undergraduate general education system, as well as the organization and design of general courses in the humanities, social sciences, and the arts at the College of Education Sciences. Secondly, I lead three key areas of work at the Institute of Educational Innovation and Practice. These include providing training and support for teachers and teaching assistants, conducting research and developing policies related to teaching, and building teaching support systems. Additionally, I am responsible for promoting and expanding educational and teaching innovations.

Q: What are your impressions of working and living at HKUST(GZ), and what is your most memorable experience?

Li Guimei: Looking back at the preparations, it is truly remarkable how everything seemed to fall into place. Take the campus construction, for instance. During the construction of the basement, it never rained, and the construction was not affected. It wasn't until after we finished the roof that the rain came, which saved us a lot of labor for waterproof testing. Shortly after we officially started classes, the pandemic ended, and communication with Hong Kong has now returned to normal.

If I had to choose the most memorable experience, it would be the incident involving the excavation of the small river that runs through the university last year. One day in late June of last year, President Ni had just finished his quarantine, and I accompanied him, along with Dr. Li Bin (Special Assistant to the President and Director of Office of the President), to inspect the campus construction site. We arrived at six o'clock in the morning. Our design plan always included a river that runs through the core area, but we found that the river was not present on site. We immediately inquired about it and learned that the design plan had been changed, and the river was to be replaced by flower beds. Furthermore, the pouring of reinforced concrete was about to begin.

On the day of pouring the concrete, all the responsible personnel from each construction party were present. When it was time to pour the cement, Dr. Li Bin stood up and said, "If anyone dares to pour this cement, pour it on me first!" The construction team was taken aback and had to stop pouring immediately. Later, with the coordination and cooperation of all parties, the small river was restored. It was precisely because of his persistence at that time that our campus was able to provide a habitat for "campus pets" such as small swans and ducklings, and the campus environment has become a place of so much vitality and joy.

Li Guimei and all colleagues in the Office of Administrative Resources

Huang Yu: The biggest feeling is that our work is filled with hope and anticipation!

The establishment and opening of a university is an incredibly significant project. Throughout this process, I have been deeply impressed and moved by the support, attention, and expectations from external sources, as well as the great enthusiasm and unity of my colleagues internally.

Externally, the support and care given to the university by various levels of government departments go beyond policies and finances. They treat the establishment of the university as their own important matter and have invested a lot of effort into it. The attention and expectations from all sectors of society make us feel that we are striving for a great cause. Internally, everyone in the school, from top to bottom, is united in their goals. When encountering problems, colleagues always step forward to take responsibility and solve them, without considering personal gains or losses. This spirit of working together towards a common goal is crucial for us as we embark on this journey.

Xu Gu: On August 18th of last year, after completing the quarantine period with the majority of the team from Clear Water Bay, I set foot on this campus for the first time. Compared to the well-equipped facilities of Clear Water Bay, there is still a considerable gap in the facilities and equipment here on campus. My first impression upon arriving was that we were here to be "pioneers" and build everything from the ground up.

The biggest impression I have is that this university is filled with vibrancy and energy. We are currently installing experimental equipment, and last Saturday night, one of our colleagues discovered that the laboratory had lost power. This could have been fatal for the equipment being installed, as it could cause serious damage to the expensive machinery. Fortunately, we had the foresight to equip each instrument with an uninterrupted power supply during its purchase, but it would only last a few hours. After our colleagues discovered this emergency situation, they notified us in our work group. I was particularly moved by the response of our team colleagues. Almost all of them immediately returned to the laboratory, quickly responded, and began working in their respective roles, minimizing the damage caused by the sudden power outage on the equipment. Our MCPF colleagues treat the laboratory and equipment as if they were their own children, taking care of them with great care and attention to detail.

Xu Gu is in the HKUST(GZ) laboratory

Ma Jinyuan: I joined HKUST(GZ) on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 (which was the most "2" day in a century). It has truly been a "dream-like" year since then.

Firstly, I believe that the term "fertile ground" is no longer sufficient to describe the feelings of a scholar engaged in higher education research. HKUST(GZ) can be regarded as the "edge of the universe" for higher education research, and it can truly become a "living laboratory" for higher education paradigm reform.

Starting from my research at the South University of Science and Technology, I gradually began exploring the characteristics of the "new type of research-oriented university." Due to various institutional constraints, new research-oriented universities will face many challenges in the process of reform. At different historical stages of development and in different countries, universities have their own ideal models, and we will also explore the ideal type of university education. Recently, I participated in an academic conference in the higher education field and introduced the paradigm shift of HKUST(GZ) to my peers. They were all amazed, and many scholars expressed their excitement, saying that "this is how innovation in talent cultivation should be done" or "this is a model that appears only in dreams." It is widely believed that the talent cultivation model designed by HKUST(GZ) is the closest to the ideal type. Our educational paradigm shift has gradually attracted attention from the domestic and international higher education communities.

In just one short year of joining the university, there have been too many unforgettable moments. The most impressive one for me was when our team and the president designed the "President's Opening Class" together. We held HKUST(GZ)'s first-ever "opening class" in an original and innovative way that challenged tradition. Throughout the process, everyone was focused and worked together seamlessly as a team, and each team member was incredibly supportive. It's difficult to express in words the emotions and feelings during that time, but I feel that having such an experience in one's life is truly fulfilling.

Ma Jinyuan (second from the right) and the staff of the opening class

Q: Women are often asked about "balancing family and work." What is your opinion on this issue?

Li Guimei: I believe that there is no absolute balance, but it is essential to avoid being "unbalanced" when dealing with relationships. Communication with family members is crucial, as everyone has different roles to play. By maintaining balance within the family, I also have the space to pursue my work. In the family, I believe that I play the roles of "my child's mother" and "my father's daughter" very well. However, as a wife, I am more ordinary. In terms of raising and educating our children, my husband has contributed far more than I have. If our family encounters any stress, he is the one who shoulders the burden, while I tend to stay in the background. Nevertheless, I have also played a role in helping him to become an outstanding man (laughs).

Huang Yu: I am somewhat ashamed to admit that I cannot currently serve as a "balanced" role model for everyone. In the eyes of others, HKUST(GZ) is also a start-up team that is creating something new. With a myriad of tasks at hand, it is not just me, but many of my colleagues who find it challenging to achieve balance. Fortunately, I have received a lot of understanding and support from my family, and I am deeply grateful for their sacrifices. I hope that after the university's business enters a stable period, I can strive to balance my family and work to the best of my ability.

Xu Gu: I don't deliberately seek a particular balance between family and work. As a woman with a strong career ambition, my feeling is that "actions speak louder than words." As I continue to learn and work hard, I also influence my children and family in subtle ways. My daughter is very self-reliant and independent. She graduated from Stanford University, and all three of us in the family have doctoral degrees in different fields. We live in harmony and support each other.

Ma Jinyuan: This is perhaps a "standard question" when interviewing women. However, I believe that women do not need to be overly concerned with these so-called "stereotypes." What's important is how we position ourselves. Regardless of our field, gender, or age, if we allow ourselves to be led by stereotypes, we may not be able to find our true calling.

As far as I'm concerned, I don't currently need to balance family and work to a significant extent. At home, my husband has always given me tremendous support, and he has contributed much more to our children's education than I have. I am deeply grateful for his dedication, and now that our child has started boarding school in junior high (thanks to the excellent schools in Nansha), we have relatively fewer concerns.

Q: Do you have any advice for women who have just joined HKUST(GZ)?

Li Guimei: Work can be a source of pleasure, while life should be enjoyed. We hope that our sisters who join us can not only find pleasure in their work but also lead fulfilling and happy lives.

Huang Yu: HKUST(GZ) is a place where female teachers can enjoy both work and life, and this is our shared expectation and commitment. We welcome more outstanding women to join us so that we can meet here and work together to achieve mutual success with the university. As time passes, our eyes are filled with stories, but our faces remain untouched by the ravages of time.

Xu Gu: HKUST(GZ) offers ample space and numerous opportunities for both men and women to explore their potential. If you are passionate and actively involved in the development of HKUST(GZ) and persist in doing so, you will feel fulfilled and busy in life. At the same time, you will also gain an improvement in your own abilities or skills, as well as a sense of professional satisfaction.

Ma Jinyuan: At HKUST(GZ), anyone, regardless of gender, can move the earth by finding the right leverage point. Believe in yourself, because you have already chosen to join such a rich and vibrant start-up team and an innovative and dynamic university.

Release date
08 Mar 2023
TOPICS
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