Bulletin No. 1, 2020

8 Chinese University Bulletin No.1, 2020 The teaching and learning delivered online at CUHK relies on Zoom, a video conferencing software that can support large-scale synchronous and non-synchronous activities including both lecture-type and tutorial- type classes. Ms. Carol Chiu , Director of the Information Technology Services Centre (ITSC), said, ‘Zoom is cloud-based and not housed in the server on campus. We needed to increase the bandwidth for the Internet connection to ensure smooth delivery.’ The University’s efforts to enhance its e-learning capability also included subscribing to a third-party VPN service which ensured stable connection and better delivery across borders. This was especially useful for teachers and Moving to the Cloud T he highly contagious character of the coronavirus, officially named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 11 February, made face-to-face classes fraught with health risks, but the lessons had to go on. Teachers, students and supporting personnel all joined together to make their online teaching and learning activities work when the school term was resumed on 17 February. In a message to all faculty members on 11 February, Prof. Alan K. L. Chan , Provost and J.S. Lee Professor of Chinese Culture, stated the reason for resorting to full-scale online learning: ‘First, our priority must be to safeguard the health and well-being of our students, staff and faculty. Second, every effort must be made to mitigate the chances of an outbreak on campus. Third, we must ensure that the learning outcomes of every single course are delivered fully, initially through our e-learning platforms.’ Prof. Alan K. L. Chan Provost