See you in the pool, Dean Li! FLASS sends off its beloved leader in style

After leading the Faculty for seven years, Professor Li Wai-keung will step down from his deanship in May 2026. To express our gratitude for his guidance, kindness, and dedication, we organised a send-off gathering on 17 April 2026. Sixty participants attended, including Associate Deans, Department Heads, programme leaders, academic and support staff from FLASS, former FLASS colleagues, and academic and administrative staff from other faculties and units who had worked with Professor Li.

Professor Daniel Chow Hung-kay, Associate Dean (Research & Postgraduate Studies), who has worked alongside Professor Li since he took up the deanship in 2019, kicked off the gathering by recounting moments from their time together. Professor Chow highlighted the new academic programmes launched and the organisational restructuring completed under Professor Li’s watch. “And when the world turned upside down, because of social unrest and the long days of COVID-19 and remote work, Professor Li remained our constant. He led by example, and under his leadership, the Faculty emerged stronger and more united,” Professor Chow said.

Long-serving colleagues and newer members of the faculty management team alike have spoken highly of Professor Li. Dr Tan Weiqiang, who took up the role of Associate Dean (Quality Assurance and Enhancement) in October 2025, said: “Though I joined the faculty management team only recently, Professor Li’s guidance has already left a deep mark on me. I still remember sitting with him in his book-lined office, listening to him share his management philosophy: Good leadership is relationally driven... you need to let the people know that they matter, that you see them as individual human beings, not just workers."

In many people’s eyes, Professor Li is a man of considerable knowledge. Dr Tan recalled that Professor Li went on to illustrate his point with the story of President Abraham Lincoln relieving General John C. Frémont of his command during the American Civil War. “Professor Li reminded me that Frémont was removed from his post not for military failure, but because he isolated himself and allowed no one to see him,” Dr Tan said. Inspired by Professor Li’s words, Dr Tan has since begun speaking more openly with his team on complex issues and explaining the rationale behind decisions. “This makes it much easier for team members to accept. Professor Li didn’t just manage processes; he invested in people,” Dr Tan said.

Professor Philip Yu Leung-ho, of the Department of Mathematics and Information Technology (MIT) worked alongside Professor Li in the same department at the University of Hong Kong (HKU). “Since early 2003, we have collaborated on different research projects in time series models and their applications. I still remember our discussions about developing a new class of threshold time series models. Professor Li embraced the idea, leading to our first General Research Fund (GRF) grant on buffered time series in 2011, followed by two more GRF grants on extensions in 2017 and 2025,” said Professor Yu, former Head of MIT who joined EdUHK in 2020.

Having been Professor LI’s colleague for more than three decades across HKU and EdUHK, Professor Yu is wholeheartedly impressed by the Dean’s dedication, passion, and genuine care. “I was never formally his PhD student, but Professor Li still gave me informal supervision and unwavering support. He has inspired countless students and colleagues, including myself, with his wisdom and kindness. His immense contributions to the field of time series analysis and the many lives he has touched will have a long-lasting impact for years to come,” the MIT professor said.

As head of the Faculty, Professor Li not only led academic staff, but also offered consistent guidance to the support staff of the Faculty Office. Ms Ellen Cheng, Assistant Registrar (AR) of the Faculty, found working with Dean Li both inspiring and instructive. She was particularly struck by his sharp eye for detail. “He thinks directly into the matters, makes decisions that are clear, efficient, and to the point. Dean Li is always available to provide advice, guidance, and encouragement. His leadership style reflects genuine care for colleagues and appreciation for their work and contributions. His presence always created a supportive and respectful working environment,” she said.

In his thank-you remarks, Professor Li expressed his gratitude for having been supported by such a dedicated, caring team, spanning the Deanery, Heads and Acting Heads of Departments, programme leaders, academic and teaching colleagues, faculty ARs, and everyone in the Faculty Office. “To all of you here and those who could not be with us today, I offer my heartfelt thanks. Whatever achievements this Faculty has made during my tenure as Dean are, in every sense, your achievements too,” he said.

Those present shared many fond and memorable stories about Professor Li. They spoke of how much they valued his presence during key moments of faculty development: when things went smoothly, he offered his appreciation; when difficult moments arose, he offered words of encouragement. As the stories unfolded, a deep sense of gratitude and respect filled the room, with warmth and appreciation growing with every recollection.

Professor Li will continue to be part of the FLASS community as Research Chair Professor of Data Science, affiliated to the Department of Mathematics and Information Technology. “It is almost a statistically proven hypothesis that we will meet you somewhere on campus—walking briskly down the hallway with your backpack, or enjoying your regular swims in the pool. These small moments say more about you—a man of immense energy, quiet strength, and disciplined faith—than any title could,” Professor Chow said.

Professor Li leaves us with many memorable moments from his deanship: celebrating Christmas and Chinese New Year, delivering keynote speeches at conferences, joining visits, leading faculty retreats, and supporting student activities. Let us look back through the following album and recall the fond moments we had together.