Navigating the territory within and beyond information technology
Albert Tse Wai-kwong
If the management team is the brain and the faculty are the hands, then IT is the heart and blood vessels that connect all parts of the body and support all its activities.
Albert Tse Wai-kwong (Deputy Director of Information Technology)
Today, we take it for granted that we can check data in the university system and surf on social media whenever we like. But have we ever stopped to ponder the trials and tribulations that our colleagues have endured to make this happen? Deputy Director of Information Technology Mr Albert Tse Wai-kwong, who has been working at the University for 32 years, has witnessed the rapid advances in campus information technology and has a unique perspective to share.
Albert joined the University in 1992, but he did not serve in the IT department all the time. He was deployed to the President's Office for about ten years. “At the time, I led a team that reported directly to Vice-President Prof. Leung Chun-ming, who was in charge of the University's technology and development,” he recalls. “Under his leadership, we drove the implementation of innovative IT initiatives on campus, including building the University website, intranet and portal.” It was like a special forces mission, with Albert at the forefront of the World Wide Web development project. “Back then, people had limited understanding of the internet,” he says. “While we were doing development work, we partnered with professors from the School of Science and Technology to provide training to staff and students on its use, which was truly a challenging endeavour.”
Since then he has encountered myriad challenges, but the most memorable was rebuilding the student administration system.
“Prof. Leung was a visionary leader,” Albert reminisces. “When major universities were still focused on in-house development of their student administration system, he advocated purchasing a commercial package and customizing it to our needs.” While homegrown IT systems often involve a trial-and-error process, commercially available solutions have already incorporated the lessons learned from countless failures. Careful selection and tailoring it to the University’s requirements made acquiring a commercial package the optimal choice.
“Unfortunately, almost the entire University opposed the idea at the time,” Albert recounts. “Coupled with the fact that the project was quite costly, we had to explain and lobby the Council and all staff members in various meetings and staff forums.” Against all odds and after untiring efforts, they finally kicked-off the project. Their initial triumph was short-lived, however, as the vendor was acquired by another company, resulting in a major setback.
They did not give up and finally restarted the project after arduous negotiations. Several years later, the new student administration system was successfully launched and became a pioneer among local institutions. “HKU, CUHK and HKUST subsequently sought advice and reference from us one after another,” he says with gratification. The success not only marked a proud moment for Albert, but also helped him forge deep bonds with his counterparts, who had fought side by side for years.
At the University, IT support is crucial for learning and teaching, but the efforts put in by colleagues behind the scenes may not always be visible to everyone. Albert has a unique analogy for this: “If the management team is the brain and the faculty are the hands, then IT is the heart and blood vessels that connect all parts of the body and support all its activities.” Although the flow of blood cannot be seen or touched, its contribution is reflected in every action of the body. “The satisfaction of my IT colleagues and me comes from the University’s development and achievements,” he adds. “We know we have been a part of it, and we share in the glory.”
Albert's career trajectory has spanned more than three decades at HKMU, but he has never grown weary of it. Even if there are occasional temptations from outside or offers from other institutions, he remains unwavering. “HKMU is a young, vibrant university that's developing rapidly, and I'm growing and progressing together with it,” he explains. “In the ever-changing IT landscape, there’s always something new to learn. It’s never boring.” He has been able to move up the career ladder because he believes that dedication, equipping oneself at all times, and the willingness to embrace change and challenges are the keys to career advancement.
Albert considers himself a long-term planner, in both his work and personal life. Just as he spent 20 years fulfilling his lifelong dream of visiting every province in China, he committed to learning scuba diving after the age of 50 and has already completed “100 dives”. He often approaches life with a spirit of adventure, venturing into unfamiliar territory, from the bustling city of Hong Kong to the less-explored region of Tibet in his earlier years, for example, and now diving into the mysterious underwater world. He believes that “we must always make progress and try new things”.
In 2018, Albert opened a new chapter in his career by running for and winning a position as a staff representative on the University Council. “I aspire to be a bridge between management and my fellow colleagues,” he explains, “facilitating the flow of information both ways, while advocating for the reasonable rights and benefits of all staff members.” He has been re-elected three times; his latest term began this April. “I am deeply grateful for the trust and support my colleagues have shown me over the years,” he says. He acknowledges that this role has not been easy and that he may not always be popular, but he remains committed to serving his colleagues to the best of his ability, especially in matters of employee welfare and strengthening communication between University management and staff.
Reflecting on his three-decade-long journey at the University, Albert says he has completed countless projects, but what left the deepest impression on him was the graduation system. “When the University produced its first batch of graduates, it needed a computer system to support the first congregation. That was the first system I programmed after joining the institution,” he says with a grin, “so it holds a special meaning for me.”
