In the halls of CUHK Business School, something remarkable is happening. Professor Willow Wu is proving that the best education isn't just about transferring knowledge—it's about transforming lives, one student at a time.

With credentials from Peking University and Stanford University, Professor Wu could have easily followed the conventional path into lucrative business roles. Instead, she chose something more meaningful: opening doors for students who might otherwise remain closed off from their own potential.

Her journey as an educator took shape during the challenging pandemic years, when connecting with students through screens seemed nearly impossible. But rather than accepting the limitations, Professor Wu got creative. She turned Zoom features into engagement tools and used positive reinforcement to build a "virtuous cycle of participation." When students joined virtually, she made sure every contribution was valued and explored further.

What makes Professor Wu's approach special is its foundation in personal experience. She openly shares that despite ranking first in her undergraduate cohort, she was far from outspoken. "I rarely spoke in class because I feared saying something foolish," she recalls with refreshing honesty. That self-awareness became her superpower as an educator.

Recognizing that her quieter tendencies had once limited her growth, she gained diverse experience in fast-moving industries, including a stint at ByteDance. As early as 2016, she was exploring artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency—fields that would later become mainstream. This real-world exposure enriched her teaching with practical relevance students crave.

From these experiences, Professor Wu developed her innovative LEAD framework: Learner-centred approaches, Experiential learning, Application and advancement of knowledge, and Design innovation. This isn't just educational jargon—it's a philosophy that puts students in control of their learning journey.

Her methods bring textbooks to life. When Facebook became Meta, she didn't just teach from dated case studies. She combined established materials with current articles about the metaverse, challenging students to think like the managers they'll soon become. "I wanted them to consider what might prompt such a strategic shift," she explains, "and how they might address the challenges that followed."

But perhaps the most beautiful aspect of Professor Wu's teaching is her focus on transformation beyond academics. She understands that in business, communication skills often determine success. So she creates safe spaces for students to practice speaking up, making mistakes, and growing from feedback.

The impact shows in individual stories. One particularly shy student rarely participated in class discussions. Professor Wu invested time in informal conversations during breaks, gradually building the student's confidence. Eventually, she received a heartfelt note about how the student had begun overcoming personality challenges. "Moments like that bring me the greatest sense of fulfillment," Professor Wu reflects warmly.

Her dedication hasn't gone unnoticed. She's received both the University Education Award 2024 and the Faculty Teaching Excellence Award 2022-23. Yet she humbly credits her students' energy and colleagues' support for these achievements.

A doorstop in her office—a gift from the late Professor Kenneth Law—serves as a constant reminder to keep her door open to anyone needing help. It's a fitting symbol for an educator who sees every student not as a grade or a statistic, but as a person with untapped potential waiting to flourish.

Professor Wu's greatest hope remains beautifully simple: that each student leaves her class having grown in knowledge, perspective, or confidence. In a world often focused on metrics and rankings, she's proving that the most important measurement is the positive difference we make in others' lives.