Teaching and research challenges and gains coexist 

Assistant Professor Weng Tak Kuok serves as the Programme Coordinator of the Student and Academic Activities Program at the Faculty of Data Science, responsible for courses and work related to industry university research, and serving as a master's and doctoral supervisor. 

Weng Tak Kuok: City University of Macau is like my second home. During my three years of working at City University of Macau, teaching and research have been both challenging and meaningful. The platform provided by City University of Macau supports me to focus on the research field that interests me. Meanwhile, interacting with students and teachers from diverse backgrounds has brought new perspectives and inspiration to my research. 

As a young scholar born and raised in Macau, Assistant Professor Weng Tak Kuok is deeply rooted in the field of data science, with a profound academic background and abundant research achievements. He admits that his interests and hobbies originated from his childhood, and the rapid development of the artificial intelligence era has made him tirelessly dedicated to this. 

Weng Tak Kuok: I have been fascinated by technology and computers since I was young. I chose these fields as my research direction not only because of my personal passion and interests, but also because I saw their enormous potential for development and practical application value to society. At present, some good progress has been made in image processing and remote sensing image applications, and certain research results have been obtained, which makes me quite proud. 

What is remote sensing technology? What are its application scenarios and specific values reflected in? Assistant Professor Weng Tak Kuok uses an easy-to-understand approach and practical experience to unveil the secrets for everyone. 

Weng Tak Kuok: Remote sensing technology is like giving us a pair of eyes that can see through nature. It can capture images of the Earth from high altitude, allowing us to have a deeper understanding of the natural environment and cultural landscapes. Our team has conducted some research in image processing and remote sensing image applications, mainly focusing on how to extract valuable information from remote sensing images, such as terrain features, vegetation coverage, and land use status, exploring the cross disciplinary applications of remote sensing technology and deep learning methods in social sciences. 

I once participated in a project that analyzed remote sensing images using artificial intelligence methods, achieving precise monitoring of urban expansion and environmental changes. This achievement provides strong data support for urban planning and environmental protection. I have published over 10 academic papers (SCI/EI) in this field and authored and published 2 monographs. 

Assistant Professor Weng Tak Kuok actively engages in scientific research work, participates in multiple research projects, and communicates and collaborates with industry and academia in addition to teaching. 

Weng Tak Kuok: Currently, I have led and participated in multiple scientific research projects, including key projects of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, projects of the Macao Foundation, and horizontal projects of enterprises. I have participated in a National Natural Science Foundation project that mainly studied the changes in wetland environment in Ningxia. We used remote sensing technology to continuously monitor the environmental dynamics in the region and quickly assess the changes in wetlands. In addition, I also participated in a research project dedicated to exploring the application of remote sensing technology in monitoring and evaluating urban green coverage and carbon emissions. These diverse research projects not only give me the opportunity to delve into related fields but also provide me with the chance to communicate and collaborate with industry and academic experts. 

Integrating data and innovation to cultivate students' practical and innovative abilities 

Assistant Professor Weng Tak Kuok believes that theory alone is not enough, and more emphasis should be placed on cultivating students' practical abilities and innovative thinking, helping them grasp the latest technology and industry development trends. In addition, teamwork and communication skills are also essential qualities. 

Weng Tak Kuok: Currently, I am teaching three courses at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, namely Introduction to Computer Operating Systems, Neural Networks, Artificial Intelligence and Bayesian Analysis. As a fundamental and core course in the field of data science. In teaching, I pursue not only the imparting of knowledge, but also the cultivation of students' practical abilities and innovative thinking. In class, I will design challenging practical projects for students to learn and grow through hands-on experience. At the same time, I place great emphasis on enhancing students' teamwork and communication skills. In real work, data scientists often need to collaborate with cross disciplinary experts. Through group discussions and collaborative projects in class, help students learning how to collaborate with others and communicate efficiently. 

For the guidance of master's and doctoral students, in addition to classroom guidance, I insist on holding weekly group meetings and requiring the submission of work reports, with a particular emphasis on cultivating data analysis skills and innovative thinking to prepare for future careers. 

Assistant Professor Weng Tak Kuok is well aware of the close connection between scientific research and teaching, which complement each other and form a virtuous cycle. Encourage students to lay a solid foundation, keep up with cutting-edge information, and keep up with the pace of the times. 

Weng Tak Kuok: I often integrate research results into the classroom, which can not only keep students informed of the latest scientific research progress but also help them understand theoretical knowledge more intuitively. At the same time, student feedback and classroom discussions provide me with more inspiration and ideas, which in turn drive research work. The two mutually promote each other, forming a virtuous cycle. 

To master courses in the field of data science, mathematics is the cornerstone of data science, and it is necessary to lay a solid foundation in mathematics and programming. At the same time, it is necessary to pay attention to cutting-edge information such as big data processing, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, and strive to become a leader in the field. 

My study and life at City University of Macau 

The curriculum offered by the City University of Macau is very diverse, and we can also meet many knowledgeable teachers in the classroom who are very dedicated. Secondly, there is the collision of diverse cultures, where students studying and exchanging ideas come from different places and can interact and learn from each other. 

Teacher Weng Tak Kuok in my eyes 

Teacher Kuok is always good at using cases to simplify complex knowledge in class, making it easy for students to accept. He provides us with patient support and care in both academic issues and daily life. Whenever I encounter academic doubts, he always provides me with the most rigorous answers in principle and offers me valuable advice on the basics of image processing. In addition, Teacher Kuok carefully guided us on learning methods and academic attitudes, how to search for literature, how to read papers, and the importance of academic ethics. Teacher Kuok's words and deeds have greatly benefited us. 

My study and life at City University of Macau 

City University of Macau has a beautiful environment, excellent equipment, and strong faculty. The teachers' teaching is also serious and responsible. The students I have met here also have great enthusiasm for learning and a strong desire for knowledge. I believe that City University of Macau has a very strong learning atmosphere, and I really enjoy studying at City University of Macau. 

Teacher Weng Tak Kuok in my eyes 

Teacher Kuok often encourages us to actively express our opinions and stimulates our divergent thinking. In class, he often uses vivid examples to analyze abstract knowledge points to help us understand, which I think greatly enhances our interest in learning. Academically, Teacher Kuok always points out our problems to the point and provides constructive opinions. In daily life, we also care deeply and often care about whether we are used to living in Macau. My research direction tends to focus on hardware. After studying with Professor Kuok, I have gained a deeper understanding of artificial intelligence. I hope that in the future, I can better integrate hardware and artificial intelligence and contribute my own strength to the field of data science.