HKU Bulletin May 2008 (Vol. 9 No. 2)

1 NEWS ROUND-UP A World-Class University T he University of Hong Kong has been ranked 18th among the world’s best universities by the Times Higher Education Supplement (THES). The ranking is based on the excellence of a university’s teaching and research, its reputation among peers and its international outlook. The University came ahead of all universities in Mainland China and Hong Kong and was the 2nd highest ranked university in Asia, coming just after Tokyo University. The University jumped 15 places from its 2006 ranking of 33rd and achieved a goal set by the Chairman of the Council, Dr Victor Fung, to see HKU among the top 25 universities in the world. “I have been very confident that HKU had all the capabilities of becoming the top English-medium university in Asia,” he said. “The rankings show that HKU has surpassed my expectations.” The Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Lap-Chee Tsui, said the achievement was based on a collective effort of staff, students and alumni, with the support of donors, the Government and the wider public. “Although many of us at the University regard rankings and league tables with a degree of ambivalence, as they often highlight only certain aspects of the achievements of universities, I think we can all agree that our position in the well-respected THES league table at least indicates that HKU is among the very best in the world,” Tsui said. Vice-Chancellor and Leading Professor Receive Top Honour T wo of the University’s leading scientists have received France’s highest honour. Our Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Lap-Chee Tsui, and Professor Malik Peiris, Personal Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Scientific Director of the HKU-Pasteur Research Centre, have both been made Knights of the Legion d’Honneur. Created in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Honneur is awarded to distinguished individuals in recognition of their outstanding services and is not restricted to those of French nationality or birth. On receiving the award Professor Tsui said: “This is a great honour for both Professor Peiris and myself as well as for the University. It signifies the French government’s recognition of the contributions made by our University. We aim to further enhance our collaboration and exchanges with our French counterparts in research and education programmmes.” Professor Peiris agreed and added: “It is very pleasing that our efforts are recognized in this way. Research is a team enterprise and this honour really goes to the whole team of people within HKU, the HKU- Pasteur Research Centre as well as other organizations in Hong Kong which have contributed to those collaborative efforts.” The awards were presented by General Jean-Pierre Kelche, the Grand Chancellor of the Legion d’Honneur and Chancellor of the National Order of Merit who visited the HKU-Pasteur Centre and met with researchers and students who have benefited from exchanges supported by the Legion d’Honneur Club (Hong Kong Chapter). CONTENTS Editor The Registrar Editorial Board Allison Jones, Dora Yue Writers Kathy Griffin, Allison Jones Photographer Eric Lee & Co. Graphic Designer trinity & co. Printer HeterMedia Services Limited 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 1929, fax number: 2546 0456 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 A World-Class University u Vice-Chancellor and Leading Professor Receive Top Honour 2 u A Generous Donation to Boost University Development u A New Fellow of the Chinese Academy of Engineering 3 u Mathematician Scoops State Science Award PEOPLE 4 u A Dutiful Engineer RESEARCH 5 u Putting an End to a Silent Killer 6 u A Matter of Good of Taste 7 u Pinpointing Traffic Hot Zones 11 u An Education in Facing Death 12 u The Link Between War and the Weather 14 u The Pathway from Bats to a Pandemic COVER STORY 8 u The Flu Hunters TEACHING AND RESEARCH 16 Excellence in Teaching and Research, 2006-07 17 u What it Takes to be Good Teacher 20 u Outstanding Research Student Supervisor Award 21 u Outstanding Young Researcher Awards 25 u Outstanding Researcher Awards 29 u Distinguished Research Achievement Award BOOK 30 u A New Accessible History of Hong Kong ARTS 31 u Brush Strokes 32 u Old Kowloon