HKU Bulletin June 2004 (Vol. 5 No. 4)

1 NEWS ROUND-UP Vice-Chancellor’s Research Contribution Honoured T he Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lap-Chee Tsui has become the first person in Hong Kong to be elected a Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Science (NAS) in the United States. Professor Tsui joins previously-elected NAS members like Former President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Zhou Guangzhou; Vice- President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Chen Zhu and Nobel laureate and chemist Yuan- Tseh Lee from Taiwan’s Academia Sinica. Other past elected members include noted economist Milton Friedman and Nobel laureate and mathematician John F. Na P sh ro . fessor Tsui was elected as one of 18 foreign associates from 13 countries in recognition of his distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. He discovered the first DNA marker linked to the disease locus for cystic fibrosis in 1985. In 1989, Professor Tsui and his colleagues painstakingly identified the gene and the major mutation causing this disorder. His pioneering research has opened up a new approach to tracing the source of the genetic diseases. The Vice-Chancellor said: “I am very honoured …I hope my election will spur others in my field to vigorously continue their scientific research.” A Breath of Fresh Air A mathematician who turned actor-director is the latest international artist-in-residence to enrich hall life on campus. Jean-Luc Bonefacino recently stayed at Graduate House where he gave workshops to students on presentation skills in between rehearsals for the play, The Man, the Chair and the Turtle , on which he collaborated with local director Tang Shu-wing. “I used French acting skills to teach students how to control their voice and breathing,” he said. “Breathing has a lot to do with theatre, it drives your emotions. If your breathing speeds up, it can be related to high tension and fear. “We also worked on the body because whatever fears or emotions you have can be seen in your body – in the way you stand and move. I tried to make the students aware of that.” Mr Bonefacino has had plenty of practice in controlling his breathing and movement. He began at age six, singing and performing with his father’s French opera troupe. Yet he also performed well academically and studied mathematics at university, going on to work with a French bank and with the French consulate in Hong Kong in 1996. But his heart lay with the theatre and he has set up his own company in Paris and returns periodically to Hong Kong and Beijing for special performances. He is the latest in a string of artists to join the artist-in-residence programme, which began three years ago under the guidance of the Graduate House Master, Dr Desmond Hui. “We started this programme because we believe that having someone with international exposure and experience in various disciplines in the arts as a resident for a short period of time, will enrich campus life,” he said. The first artist-in-residence was a kunqu opera singer and a variety of artists have stayed since then, from a Japanese percussionist to an Australian video artist. Their stays last from a few days to about six week A s p . art from contributing to campus life, the artists also gain from the exchange. Mr Bonefacino said his visit gave him the opportunity to meet students and learn more about Hong Kong society and culture – to the benefit of his cr “ a I ft m . et a graduate student who was doing Buddhism studies and we talked about how meditation can help with concentrat ion. The most difficult thing to act is stillness, you have to concentrate all your energies. So I f ind there is a l ink between Buddhist medi tat ion and my work,” he added. 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 Vice-Chancellor’s Research Contribution Honoured u A Breath of Fresh Air 2 u Putonghua Triumph u First WTO Regional Trade Policy Course Opens RESEARCH 3 u The Benefits of Going Underground 4 u Climate Change – A Walk Across Victoria Harbour 6 u Let the Sun Shine In 7 u Back Pain 8 u Two Projects One Lethal Illness 9 u SARS Killer PEOPLE 10 u Genetic Key to Mental Illness 11 u Professor Gets Top Honours from Engineering Fraternity u Royal Society of Chemistry Honour 12 u The Voice of the University Health Service 13 u Memories from the Print Room Adam Luck has been the freelance writer for The Bulletin since 2002. This is his last issue as he will be leaving Hong Kong soon to return to UK with his wife and young family. We wish him every success in London.

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODI4MTQ=