Excellent Teaching Assistant Award 2023-24

As a PhD candidate at the Department of Mathematics, Mr Li’s current research delves into partial differential equations and fluid dynamics.

Since his arrival at HKU in 2021, he has assumed the role of teaching assistant in the department. In his tutorials, he cultivates a supportive teaching environment, encouraging students to tackle exercises at a pace that suits them. His mentoring styles echo with his students’ needs, consistently going above and beyond the standard course requirement by preparing supplementary materials. These additional contents are carefully designed to solidify the understanding of the core concepts and provide a more comprehensive or in-depth knowledge of the subjects discussed in lectures. Through this approach, Mr Li hopes to inspire his students to become self-motivated learners. While most of his students may not aim for a career in mathematics, Mr Li firmly believes that upon completing the courses, they will be better equipped with logical reasoning, analytical thinking, and most importantly, better mental health.

Mr Li has contributed to various courses, from foundational subjects like Calculus, Linear Algebra and Multivariable Calculus, to more advanced courses such as Introduction to Partial Differential Equations. He maintains that motivation is paramount, encapsulated in his belief that ‘Everything is connected to everything else’. Mr Li enjoys uncovering these connections, tracing them back to their origins, and sharing these insights with his students. He is dedicated to refining his teaching skills throughout his assigned tasks, so that he will be more prepared for a potential lectureship in the future.

Greatly influenced by Professor Tak Kwong Wong, his principal supervisor in the department, Mr Li emphasises that teaching will remain an integral part of his career alongside his research. He also acknowledges that the quality of teaching is crucial, as it plays a significant role in passing down ideas, thoughts, and spirits from one generation to the next.