The University Chinese programme under the four-year university curriculum has been implemented for ten years since 2012, with each institution successfully implementing the new curriculum and accumulating rich experience. The “new normal” in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence are posing great challenges to the teaching of Chinese language courses in local universities. In light of this, the Chinese Language Teaching Development Centre of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at CUHK, in collaboration with the T.T. Ng Chinese Language Research Centre of the Institute of Chinese Studies, organised the Fifth Forum on University Chinese on August 7, with the theme of “Retrospect and Prospect”.

Over seventy representatives, including department heads, frontline teachers and expert scholars from the eight UGC-funded universities and three local private universities, attended the forum. The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, who delivered the opening address. Professor Tang Sze-wing, Chair of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at CUHK, delivered the welcome speech, and several colleagues from different teaching units of CUHK served as guests of honour at the opening ceremony.

In their keynote speeches, Professor Tang and Dr Ng Hok-chung from Hong Kong Baptist University summarised the development of the Chinese language proficiency courses in their respective institutions, with “inheritance” as a guiding direction for curriculum development. Dr Kan Hon-kin from the Education University of Hong Kong, and Professor Li Donghui and Dr Li Fei from Lingnan University showcased the existing e-learning materials for Chinese language courses at their institutions and explored future developments involving artificial intelligence. Professor Richard Van Ness Simmons from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and Dr Lam On from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) focused on the topic of artificial intelligence, proposing ways for language teachers to position themselves in the AI context and strategies to cope with the current situation. Mr Edward Li Siu-leung from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Dr Ken Cheng Siu-kei from PolyU introduced a language teaching exchange platform, “Scholarship of Teaching in Language Education” (STiLE), and proposed using academic research to promote teaching development.

In addition to the keynote speeches, the forum also had sixteen representatives from local universities sharing their views on artificial intelligence, curriculum design, teaching methods and other topics. A roundtable discussion, moderated by Dr Vichy Ho Wai-chi from HKU and Dr Ken Cheng Siu-kei from PolyU, sparked lively discussions on issues such as curriculum design, assessment methods, and the role of teachers in the era of artificial intelligence.

CUHK previously held the Forum on University Chinese in 2011, 2014, 2016 and 2020, inviting representatives from local universities to share their experiences in curriculum planning and teaching. The Fifth Forum on University Chinese marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at CUHK.