PolyU is very pleased to welcome two new vice presidents who bring with them a wealth of vital experience in their respective fields, bolstering the senior management of their alma mater.

Innovative leader takes on administration and business role

 

Embracing the values of teamwork, mutual respect and integrity, Dr Miranda Lou, a highly experienced and innovative senior executive, took on the post of PolyU Vice President (Administration and Business) on 21 September. Dr Lou, a PolyU Doctor of Business Administration graduate in 2009, returns to her alma mater to oversee the planning and operations of various key functional units.

Under Dr Lou's purview are the Finance Office, Human Resources Office, Information Technology Services Office, Institute for Entrepreneurship, Institute of Advanced Executive Education, University Health Service, Legal Counsel and Internal Audit Unit. She also oversees PolyU subsidiaries including Hotel ICON Limited, PolyU Enterprise Plus Limited, PolyU Research Limited, PolyU Technology and Consultancy Company Limited and Shenzhen Base/Shenzhen Research Institute.

PolyU President, Prof. Timothy W. Tong, lauds Dr Lou's experience, "Under her leadership, I am confident that the key functional units will be able to deliver the best possible performance needed by the University as it scales to the next level of excellence."

Having spent a major part of her career at Orient Overseas Container Line Limited (OOCL Group), where her last position was Chief Operating Officer of OOCL Logistics, Dr Lou is well versed in providing strategic direction and enhancing organizational capabilities. She has also led the design and implementation of numerous organizational re-engineering initiatives. Commenting on the "challenging but enlightening learning process" in her new role, she sees her experience as being relevant in managing a diverse portfolio in the higher education sector. However, she stresses that "the support of colleagues is essential."

My top priority is to better understand the context of the University, including its people, work practices, culture, and how the strategic areas are being implemented across units," Dr Lou explains. Quoting management guru Peter Drucker's reminder that "leadership is doing the right things", she acknowledges that understanding issues through listening is the starting point. "Retaining an open mind and interacting with various stakeholders are the best and quickest ways of learning more about the University," she expounds.

With an eye on the longer term, Dr Lou expresses her strong belief that there is always a better way of doing things. "As the world is becoming increasingly complex and uncertain, we should promote a culture that embraces change and innovation," she says. Citing the example of PolyU's processes, Dr Lou comments that there should be new possibilities for greater effectiveness and efficiency which could be achieved through well-defined goals and action plans.

In summarising her overall aims for the vice presidency, Dr Lou says, "I hope my experience can help PolyU management to identify areas of differentiation and implement initiatives for the advancement of the University."