Newsletter No. 435

No. 435, 4.4.2014 3 According to Prof. Freedom Y.K. Leung , Dean of Students of Shaw College, the idea of building a centre originated in 2008. At that time, many students urged Prof. Joseph J.Y. Sung , the then College Head, to provide more room for gathering so as to facilitate academic exchange. In response to the request and to cater to the needs of the increased number of students under the new four-year curriculum, the College converted the long wing of its visiting scholar's flat Ya Qun Lodge in 2011. The plan was made possible with the generous donation from Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Huen , Mr. and Mrs. Ian Huen , Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Man as well as the support from University Grants Committee. The whole project involved about HK$27 million and was completed in the end of 2012. It was named after Mr. Patrick Huen. Mr. Huen hoped students can spend quality time with friends in the centre, and relax their body and mind. ‘Only with a peaceful mind can one be clear about one’s own beliefs and values. I wish all students could grow their wisdom, build lifelong friendships and strive to achieve excellence with soul.’ The three-storey, 750 m 2 centre has a capacity of about 350. With full height glazing, natural light can penetrate inside to create a green and refreshing ambience. Decked out with a bamboo pattern and a predominantly white palette, the simply designed space seems like an extension of the lush and verdant landscape outside. Chairs and desks, moveable couch and discussion rooms are available on the ground and first floors. On the ground floor, a large screen hanging on the wall faces a semi-circular bench, turning the zone into a small-scale theatre. The centre, with Internet access, is equipped with up- to-date IT hardware and software to facilitate students’ learning and knowledge exchange with people all over the world to promote the concept of learning without borders. Citing the example of the workshop ‘Understanding Life through Photography’, Professor Leung said the instructor can make good use of different online platforms to show videos and photos to enrich learning and discussion. Events held at the centre included night gatherings between students and the Vice-Chancellor, College Head and outstanding alumni, experience sharing sessions and other whole-person education activities, as well as a workshop on photography. These activities used to be held in Fu Zung Centre, a multi-purpose room at the College. However, it was far less relaxing than the new centre. As a resident student in the past years, King-yeung recalled days without the centre. He found it hard to study in the hostel because there were too many distractions. The number of seats in the study room in Wen Lan Tang was fewer than enough. Now the centre can provide an excellent place for study. Candice Lam , Year 2 student of the Integrated Bachelor of Business Administration Programme, said the discussion rooms are equipped with screens which can connect to the computer and project the work for ease of discussion. She believed the pleasant environment can boost the study morale. Prof. Andrew C.F. Chan , Head of Shaw College, introduced the three key concepts of the centre — ‘H’ for ‘Human’, ‘W’ for ‘Worldwide Web’, and ‘M’ for ‘Magic’ which means a combination of the former two elements. He said the centre would encourage students to make good use of Internet resources to connect and interact with the world, and to nurture innovativeness. 遠 眺吐露港的逸夫書 院禤永明樓多功能 學習中心，啟用後即成為學 生的聚腳熱點。「中心是書 院和學生舉辦活動的理想 地方，令走讀生和宿生均 有落腳處，加強對書院的歸 屬感。」剛卸任的逸夫書院 學生會主席、社會學系三年級學生 盧勁揚 這樣 形容。 中心的籌建緣於2008年，據書院輔導長 梁耀堅 教授說，當 時很多學生向時任書院院長的 沈祖堯 教授反映，需要在 書院有更多空間聚腳，促進學習交流。為回應學生訴求， 加上要應付大學四年制後新增學生的需要，書院於2011年 將其訪問學人單位「雅群樓」長翼改建，整項工程耗資約 二千七百萬港元，除得到大學教育資助委員會資助，更蒙 禤永明伉儷 及其家人 禤駿遠伉儷 、 文本立伉儷 支持，故以 「禤永明樓」命名。中心於2012年底啟用。 禤永明先生希望大樓成為學生之間建立友誼的地方，同時 讓他們在繁忙的學習生活外稍作休息，讓內心平靜，肯定 自己的信念和價值觀，達至「臻善存德」。 學習中心共有三層，總面積七百五十平方米，可容約三百五 十人。中心大量採用落地玻璃，讓天然光線透到室內，環 保之餘更添生氣。內裏設計簡約，以白為主要色調，配以 「四君子」之一的竹為主題，與窗外綠樹環抱的自然景致 渾然一體。一樓及地下均設有溫習座位、討論室及自由組 合的沙發，氣氛舒適；地下一層更設半圓型台階作座位，牆 上掛有大型投射屏幕，儼如小型討論廣場，方便舉辦各種 活動。 隨時連接上網，實踐學習無疆界概念，是中心特點之一。 以梁耀堅教授統籌的「攝影．人生」工作坊為例，教師授 課時可即時上網使用各種資源，向學員展示短片、圖像 等，豐富工作坊的內容。 曾在中心舉辦的活動包括讓學生與校長、院長及學長交流 的各類「夜話」、請來經驗嘉賓與學生分享的「博雅茶聚」， 以及「攝影．人生」工作坊等。梁教授說以往的「夜話」主 要在書院的輔仁中心多用途活動室舉行，但那兒的桌椅整 齊有序，擺設如課室，遠不及這裏輕鬆愜意。 盧勁揚亦為逸夫宿生，他說唸一年級時尚未有學習中心， 在宿舍溫習實有不少引誘，較難專心，而書院文瀾堂自修 室的座位又不多。現在有了中心，多了適合溫習的地方。工 商管理學士綜合課程二年級 藍思詠 也說，學習中心多間小 組討論室設有屏幕，可接上電腦播放影像，方便切磋討論， 讀書更有氣氛。 逸夫書院院長 陳志輝 教授說，學習中心設計的三個重點為 「人」、「網絡」及「兩者結合的力量」，他相信中心能鼓勵 學生善用網絡資源，促進互動交流，孕育嶄新意念，改變 世界。 盧勁揚 Lo King-yeung 梁耀堅教授 Prof. Freedom Y.K. Leung L ocated on Shaw campus, the Huen Wing Ming Building Multi-Purpose Learning Centre commands sweeping views of Tolo Harbour. Since its opening, it has quickly become a popular gathering spot of students. ‘It is an ideal venue for activities held by the College and student bodies. It offers students a cosy resting spot on the College campus which can enhance a sense of belonging,’ said Lo King-yeung , Year 3 student of sociology who just stepped down from the presidency of the Shaw Student Union. Hot Spot Connected to the World: New Multi-purpose Learning Centre at Shaw 藍思詠 Candice Lam 接通世界的聚腳點 — 禤永明樓多功能學習中心