Congratulations to Dr. Michael Rivera, Recipient of the 2026 UGC Teaching Award

We’re thrilled to share some wonderful news from our CiC community. Dr. Michael Rivera, Lecturer in HKU’s Faculty of Social Sciences, has received the 2026 UGC Teaching Award in the Early Career Faculty Members category. Each year, the University Grants Committee (UGC) presents these awards to honor outstanding teaching, leadership, and contributions to teaching and learning across Hong Kong’s UGC-funded institutions.

This recognition builds on the University’s Early Career Teaching Award, which Dr. Rivera received in 2025. Two major teaching honors in two years is no small thing. It reflects the care and creativity he brings to his classroom every day, and it’s a well-deserved recognition.

Our CiC team attended the ceremony to congratulate Michael in person. We were so glad to be there and share the moment with him, his colleagues, and everyone who has been part of his teaching journey. During his speech, Dr. Rivera took a moment to thank the CiC team — and we were genuinely touched. Hearing that acknowledgment in person, on such a big day for him, meant a LOT to all of us. It reminded us why we do this work and how much we value the partnerships we build with faculty across the University.

Communication sits at the center of Michael’s teaching. In his classes, students learn to share stories, discuss complex ideas, and explain science to public audiences. We’re proud to have supported this work. Dr. Rivera currently teaches the following CiC courses (some are already Ci-badged, and others are currently in progress toward that designation):

BASC1001	Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Interdisciplinary Studies I
BASC1002	Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Interdisciplinary Studies II
BASC2001	Essential Skills for Undergraduates: The Leadership Development Course on Culture, Science and Society
BASC2002	Understanding Race and Racism: Biologies, Histories and Identities
BASC2003	Artificial Intelligence and Governance
BASC3100	Transformative Learning and Experiential Integration in International Contexts
BASC3300	Special Topics in Interdisciplinary Studies II: Human, Animal and Planetary Wellness in Practice
BASC4001	Interdisciplinary Capstone Course Project
BASC9001	Approaching Interdisciplinarity: Knowledge Beyond Disciplines
CCGL9080	Societies on the Water
CCST9081	All You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Humans

Whether fully badged or still in progress, each of these courses shows what communication-rich teaching can look like in practice. We’re grateful to have colleagues like Michael who bring that approach to life for their students.

On behalf of the whole CiC team, congratulations, Michael. Thank you for your kind words at the ceremony and for everything you bring to your students. We look forward to seeing what you and your students do next, and we’re excited to keep working together!