HKU Bulletin November 2009 (Vol. 11 No .1)

2 The University of Hong Kong Bulletin 3 November 2009 News in Brief change of leadership is in keeping with the Government’s six-year rule. Since his appointment in 2003, Dr Fung has been instrumental in developing and augmenting a wide range of strategic developments at HKU, including reforming the University’s governance and management structure to align it with international best practice, the Human Resource Management reform, the Centenary Recruitment Scheme (which enables the University to recruit 200 new teachers to prepare for the new four-year curriculum), and the Centennial Campus Development to expand the University’s campus. During his Chairmanship, the University’s dependence on Government funding decreased significantly due to better financial resource management, investment performance and fundraising. During Dr Fung’s tenure, the University has also seen its standing rise in international rankings like those by the respected Times Higher Education-Quacquarelli Symonds (THE-QS) World University Rankings. The University of Hong Kong announced on September 29 that Dr Victor K.K. Fung, Chairman of Council, will be stepping down from his post on November 6, 2009. The University’s Chancellor, Dr the Honourable Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, has appointed Dr the Honourable Leong Che- hung to be the next Chairman of Council, in accordance with the Statutes. The Dr Leong Che-hung, who will assume the Council Chairmanship on November 7, 2009, graduated from HKU in 1962 and worked in the Department of Surgery from 1964 to 1978. He has been an elected Member of the Council of the University since 2004, is Chairman of the Council’s Grievance Panel, an Honorary Professor of the Faculty of Medicine and an Honorary (DSc honoris causa ) Graduate of the University. Dr Leong has led an illustrious public service career. He is a non-official Member of the Executive Council, Chairman of the Elderly Commission, Chairperson of the Council on Human Reproductive Technology, and a Member of ICAC Complaints Committee, the Family Council and the Honours Committee. Dr Leong was appointed Justice of the Peace in 1993, awarded an OBE in 1991 and a Gold Bauhinia Star in 2001. Dr Leong Che-hung (right) to succeed Dr Victor Fung as HKU Council Chairman. However, this year, a Fellowship was also bestowed on Ms Yuen So-moy, who served at University Hall for over four decades, from 1957 until her retirement in 1998. Her official job titles – Cook IV, Assistant Cook and Hall Attendant – belie the importance of what she has given to the Hall and to HKU, for she not only helped in the kitchen, but also assumed the role of a kindly maternal figure to the young men. Affectionately known as [ 三嫂 ] (or ‘Third Auntie’) to University Hall residents (or ‘Castlers’), she contributed to higher education in the most fundamental ways: by nurturing, sustaining and strengthening the emotional well-being of generations of Castlers. Generations of Castlers, not surprisingly, were in turn there at the ceremony to enthusiastically cheer her on. Well done, 三嫂 ! The Honorary University Fellowships Presentation Ceremony held on September 22, 2009, honoured ten distinguished individuals for their exemplary contributions to the University and the community. Traditionally, the Fellows have been respected academics, professionals or society leaders who have generously supported the University in spirit and deed. And in the sense that they are greatly respected in their respective fields, this remains the case with this all of year’s Fellows. They are Ir Francis Bong Shu-ying, Dr Ho Tzu-leung, Mr Kenneth Kwok Hing-wai, SC, Mr Peter Lee Ka-kit, Mr David Mong Tak- yeung, Mr Raymond Or Ching-fai, Dr Wilson Wong Kin-lae, Ms Catherine Woo Mo-han and Professor Enoch Young Chien-ming. The new ‘Gallant Ho Service Learning Scheme – Family Values’ has been launched with a $5 million donation to promote a sense of social responsibility and an appreciation of family values in our students, while the Carol Yu Centre for Infection has been named on the back of a $50 million donation towards scientific discoveries in emerging infectious diseases in China. The service learning scheme, made possible by HKU alumnus Gallant Ho, will see the Centre of Development and Resources for Students organize programmes that send students into the community to offer services related to their academic learning. For example, nursing students will provide care for the elderly. This kind of experiential learning is an important feature of the new four-year curriculum which comes into effect in 2012. DONATIONS FOR BODY AND SOUL The Centre for Infection has been named the Carol Yu Centre for Infection following a generous donation from Professor Richard Yu, also an alumnus of HKU, and his wife Carol. The centre was established in 1998 and has been a leader in research, education and clinical service. The endowment will further enhance its work in understanding emerging infectious diseases in the region and in tackling such issues as antibiotic resistance. A NEW HOME FOR RESEARCHERS ACROSS DISCIPLINES The groundbreaking ceremony of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Building for Interdisciplinary Research was held on October 14, 2009. “The construction of the future home of the Human Research Institute is part of a comprehensive development plan of the University’s strategic research initiatives,” said Vice-Chancellor Professor Lap-Chee Tsui at the ceremony. The Building will provide the space, the technologies and the facilities to cultivate a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary environment that will enhance collaboration amongst researchers within HKU. Phase 1 of the Human Research Institute (HRI) will accommodate specialized research laboratories and state-of-the- art interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary centres, including the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Engineering Centre, the Behavioural Sciences and Holistic Health Centre, the Institute of Human Performance Research Centre, the Clinical Trials Centre, the Genome Research Centre, the Medical Physics Research Centre, and the Chemical Biology Centre. The Building will have an environmentally-friendly design, which will include vertical greening on the outer wall of the building and the installation of solar panels. In recognition of the generous donation of $133 million by the Hong Kong Jockey Club through its Charities Trust, the HRI (Phase 1) Building will be named ‘The Hong Kong Jockey Club Building for Interdisciplinary Research’. The construction of the Building is due to be completed in mid 2011. FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH: A NEW COUNCIL CHAIRMAN PRAISE WHERE IT’S TRULY DESERVED