HKU Bulletin April 2010 (Vol. 11 No. 2)

Dr Tsang addressed the audience of more than 800 guests and students and praised the values and achievements of HKU, which is ranked 24th in the world in the Times Higher Education – Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings. 1 The University of Hong Kong Bulletin 1 April 2010 News in Brief CARVED IN STONE Centennial Campus to be completed in 2012 “Throughout the years, the University of Hong Kong has remained an institution that embodies freedom, diversity and integrity; has embraced interaction with the world; and has instilled in different generations of students a sense of mission and a willingness to accommodate new ideas, face new challenges and undertake new ventures,” he said. “As we lay the foundation stone for a new campus, we are also cementing in place our high hopes for the future of this university.” The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lap-Chee Tsui, said the new campus would be an important building block in the University’s plans for expanded research, student learning, development and community outreach. “The campus, due to be completed in early 2012, will help us address the challenges of the 21st century in research and education, so that scholars and leaders, generation after generation, will continue to come forth. The campus will also be a springboard to our building of a University Town. It is therefore dedicated also to the people of Hong Kong,” he said. The ceremony culminated with Professor Mody presenting a trowel to Dr Tsang for laying the first stone of the new campus – a replica of the trowel that his great-great- grandfather presented 100 years ago to then-Governor Sir Frederick Lugard. Hong Kong’s Chief Executive and HKU Chancellor Dr the Honourable Donald Tsang led the event, supported by such guests as Mr Li Gang, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, businessmen Dr Lee Shau-kee and Dr Cheng Yu-tung, and Hong Kong’s former Chief Justice and the former Pro- Chancellor and Council Chairman of HKU, Sir T.L. Yang. Also in attendance were four previous Vice- Chancellors, Dr Rayson Huang, Professor Wang Gungwu, Professor Cheng Yiu-chung, and Professor Ian Davies. One hundred years ago, on March 16, 1910, the Foundation Stone-laying Ceremony for the University of Hong Kong was held, an event made possible by the generous donation of Sir H.N. Mody, who stepped forward to finance the project when it was on the brink of being abandoned. Fittingly, on that same day in 2010, a similar ceremony marked the University’s most significant physical expansion in a century, attended by Sir H.N. Mody’s great-great- grandson, Professor Chris Mody. The Centennial Campus Foundation Stone-laying Ceremony was, like its predecessor, held before distinguished members of Hong Kong’s business, government and academic elite. PROFESSOR ROLAND CHIN NAMED DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR AND PROVOST NEWS IN BRIEF 1 Carved in Stone 2 HKU Can Help Nation Says State Councillor Liu Yandong Knowledge Exchange – Building an Even Stronger Town and Gown Relationship 3 Professor Roland Chin Named Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost 4 Bring Your Own Vision for a Better Environment George Soros Advocates Peace for Prosperity 5 With a New Name, Nursing School Looks Forward to Future HKU Academics Snap Up Lion’s Share of the Croucher Awards COVER STORY 6 Our City is Heating Up RESEARCH 14 A New Application for an Old Drug 16 Madagascar’s Menagerie Floated from Africa 18 The Many Faces of Arthur Conan Doyle HONOURS 20 Honorary Degrees TEACHING AND RESEARCH AWARDS 23 Excellence in Teaching and Research 2009 24 University Distinguished Teaching Award 26 Outstanding Teaching Award 28 Outstanding Research Student Supervisior Award 30 Outstanding Young Researcher Award 32 Outstanding Researcher Award 34 Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences 35 Research Output Prize TEACHING AND LEARNING 36 A Fine Art Lesson 37 Learning at the Deep End PEOPLE 38 A Jewel in the University’s Crown 40 Blurring the Boundaries Between the Classroom and the World CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT 42 Making Friends in the Neighbourhood BOOKS 44 Where There Are Asians, There Are Rice Cookers 46 The Fall of the Pagoda ARTS AND CULTURE 48 Capturing the Buddha on Canvas Contents Cover photo: A view of King’s Park