HKU Bulletin February 2004 (Vol. 5 No. 2)

1 NEWS ROUND-UP University Governance in the Spotlight F ollowing a review of its governance and management structures, and the adoption of the review report by the Counci l, the University is in the process of a major reform to enhance transparency and accountability. The changes were proposed by an independent review panel of international experts. The size of the Council has been reduced from 55 to 24 members, and its composition includes lay members (who are in the majority) and elected members of academic and non-academic staff. The size of the Senate has also been reduced from 180 to 50 members. The smaller sizes will enable them to function more effectively as decision- making bodies. The report also argues that the appointment of full-time academic managers as Deans, Pro-Vice-Chancellors and the Deputy Vice- Chancellor will help professionalise the management to enable the University to be more responsive in this fiercely competitive and rapidly changing environment. Vacancies for these positions will be filled after rigorous search internationally. Such a management structure will enable the Vice-Chancel lor to focus more on promot ing the University to our stakeholders in the outside world. Professor Lap-Chee Tsui, the Vice-Chancellor, said that the changes would increase confidence in the University’s self-governance and management, particularly among investors from the public and private sectors. “We are running a complex organisation, and in the challenging times ahead for the tertiary sector”, added Professor Tsui, “we need a rigorous decision-making process that shows clearly where authority and responsibility lie, with proper checks and balances that conform to the highest standards of corporate governance.” Star Turn for Museum Show A n exhibition exploring extremes of the universe – from supernovae to the big bang – got off to a top flight start when its opening coincided with a visit by Chinese astronaut Yang Liwei. The exhibition, by the Department of Physics, opened in the Science News Corner of the Science Museum at the end of October 2003 – the week that Mr Yang was greeted by adulating crowds at the venue. “During that week we opened, the interest in anything related to space was enormous. The timing was perfect,” said Dr Jason Pun, who organised the exhibit with research assistant Anisia Tang. In fact, the exhibition, entitled Extremes of the Universe , had been planned long before Mr Yang’s visit, to tap into people’s curiosity about space “W . e chose that theme because in astronomy people always ask us how big things are. We’re trying to describe some of the biggest things out there,” he said. The exhibit features panels on supernovae (the death of a heavy star), the big bang (the first moments of the universe), gamma ray bursts (the biggest explosions in the universe), neutron stars (the densest objects in the universe), the Sun (the closest star to Earth) and the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence (the research project with the most participants). Another panel described the development of astronomical research in Hong Kong and China. One of the purposes of the Science News Corner is to highlight research at universities in Hong Kong. The display space is offered on a rotating basis and visitors to the museum vote on which display they would like to see, from a list of proposals. Dr Pun encouraged other researchers to submit their proposals. “It’s a good way to reach out to the public and introduce your research, and show the large variety of work that’s going on right here at HKU,” he said. The exhibition was on display at the museum until the end of January 2004. A leaf let and websi te have als o been produced (www.physics.hku.hk/~astro/exhibit2003/index.html) . CONTENTS Editor The Registrar Editorial Board Allison Jones, Sheila Stimpson, Dora Yue Writers Adam Luck, Kathy Griffin Photographer Richard Jones, sinopix photo agency Graphic Designer trinity & co. Printer G & P Production & Printing Co. Items for Publication Items for publication in The University of Hong Kong Bulletin or suggestions for subjects which might be included should be addressed to the editorial board, Knowles Building, telephone number: 2859 2229, fax nu mber: 2559 9459 or e-mail: bulletin@hku.hk. Items should include the author’s name and University contact details. If you have any comments or suggestions to make regarding the content or format of The University of Hong Kong Bulletin , please direct them to the editor for consideration by the editorial board. Printed on recycled paper. NEWS ROUND-UP 1 u University Governance in the Spotlight u Star Turn for Museum Show 2 u A Shot in the Arm for Chinese Medicine u Coastal Trails Bid 3 u Faculty of Arts Inspires u Environmental Awards 4 u SWIMS in the Swim INTERNATIONAL 5 u HKU Joins International Genome Project 6 u Elite Training for WTO RESEARCH AND TEACHING 8 u India Crashes into Asia 9 u Sportsmen and Women Try to Forget 10 u Excellence in Research, 2002-2003 26 u Teaching Fellowship Awards 29 u Do Primates See Red? PEOPLE 30 u The Impact of Revolution 31 u Secret Agents Rescue University Seal 32 u Families Triumph 36 u The Allure of Language 37 u Grand Old Man of Hong Kong History THE ARTS 38 u Who is the Girl in the Golden House? 39 u Ching Lau Revisited 40 u Bare Necessities