The Division’s name, discussed at length ahead of its launch in , is particularly important, Prof. Tsui noted. “Integrated means already combined. Integrative is where you are drawing elements from others. We felt the latter was more reflective of reality – and what we wanted to do.” Education with a difference The rst undergraduate program got underway in Fall with a cohort of undergraduates, who are curious, passionate about being involved in learning, and ready to collaborate. The eventual aim is per year. Once students enter the Division, they nd faculty members – one-third of whom are currently women – serve as coaches, “the guide on the side”, rather than supervisors. Educators and researchers joining the Division are drawn from inside and outside the University, and range from robotics and human computing interface experts to embedded systems specialists. But each shares the same commitment to working in a multidisciplinary team and intensively with students. “Integrated means already combined. Integrative is where you are drawing elements from others” For postgraduates, the established interdisciplinary MPhil in Technology Leadership and Entrepreneurship has moved within the Division while a PhD program will also be launched. Research will be focused on the design and optimization of integrative systems and design methodologies. Social impact, not just publications in highly ranked journals, will also be an important part of the research agenda. Design mindset Developing a traditional design school focused on areas such as industrial design or product design is not the Division’s aim, Prof. Tsui said. “What we want to do is embed the designer’s holistic way of looking at a project – how to de ne the problem with the end user in mind, empathize with the user, look at the overall social implications – into innovation and technology education. In this way, students will know how to construct and integrate systems and processes in line with social needs.” Working with companies is a must for students to gain real-world experience. An industrial consortium is set to provide the problem-based projects that learners will tackle. Academic exchange partners with institutions that have like-minded programs are also being put in place to provide overseas insights. Another adventurous aspect is that the Division is not just focused on one School domain, even though it is managed by the School of Engineering. Instead, it is envisaged that the intake and program will extend University-wide, given that students in all elds in a world of melting boundaries can bene t from learning to work together to overcome the challenges facing Generation Z and beyond. Harmony in diversity Prof. Tsui, who recently nished a four-year term as Associate Dean of Engineering (Undergraduate Studies), views his new role as both a challenge and exceptionally meaningful. The outcome he seeks is for a spectrum of graduates equipped with design and system thinking, communication skills, creativity and an entrepreneurial mindset who will prove irreplaceable in a world of rising arti cial intelligence and robotics. “Our students will be able to contribute in di erent ways as entrepreneurs and innovators, or by helping to transform a company’s culture from within, or helping those in need in society. Although we are dealing with integrative systems, I want our graduates to be diverse in how they apply their knowledge. And to possess a human edge that machines cannot replace.” 15 IN FOCUS One-third of the Division’s faculty are female: (from left) Ms. Luisa Mok, Dr. Carrie Ling and Dr. Winnie Leung.
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