HKU Bulletin August 2010 (Vol. 11 No. 3)

4 The University of Hong Kong Bulletin 5 August 2010 OUTSTANDING HKU MEMBERS NAMED MODELS OF HUMANITY WRITERS REVEAL THEIR SECRETS HKU alumni Dr Margaret Chung Wai- ling (BSc 1980; PhD 1987), Dr Albert Ko Wing-yin (MPhil 2004; PhD 2006) and Dr Poon Tak-lun (MBBS 1982) have been chosen to receive this year’s Hong Kong Humanity Awards, for their exceptional spirit of humanity, community involvement and volunteerism. The Hong Kong Humanity Award, co-organized by the Hong Kong Red Cross and Radio Television Hong Kong, is the first of its kind in Hong Kong and was launched in 2007. It honours those live up to and put into practice the spirit of humanity. The awardees stand as examples of how individuals can spread the spirit of humanity by caring about others through volunteer work. Three of the five award winners are HKU alumni. Dr Margaret Chung suffered from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, but has kept on influencing other patients ‘Who’ trumped all other questions at a public forum titled ‘How and What and Why Do Writers Write?’ held as part of the Faculty of Arts’ Summer Institute in July. Three renowned writers gave answers that said at least as much about themselves as about writing. On why they write, Frederick Forsyth, the blunt and practical author best known for thrillers like The Day of the Jackal , said money was the motivator. Andrew Roberts, who writes acclaimed books on military history, said writing should be about anything but money – inspiration, avoiding boredom, and learning were all better reasons, but the quality had better be good. with her positive attitude. Dr Albert Ko is a mechanical engineer who actively participates in disaster relief projects and facilitates emergency engineering activities, and is currently also a Senior Student Advisor at HKU. Dr Poon Tak-lun has been participating in medical relief missions and providing clinical and surgical services for over three decades. Whether in Hong Kong, mainland China or other places around the world, the awardees have shown their dedication to helping those in need, and have tried to prevent and alleviate human suffering, regardless of the background and social status of those they are helping. Their work shows the public that one can truly live a life of humanitarian service based on a belief in ‘the spirit of humanity’. Stephen Fry, raconteur, actor and writer of a diverse range of texts for television, film, radio and books, skirted around the question altogether. “Anybody can write if they speak. It’s just very odd having pegged writing as an incredibly separate and incredibly different engagement or pursuit as that of every-day conversation,” he said, although he spoke repeatedly of the hard work involved in writing. The three authors appeared with acerbic moderator Sir David Tang before a full house of about 1,000 people at Loke Yew Hall, where they offered similarly revealing responses to audience questions over two hours. On social media, for instance, Mr Fry was excited about its potential and Mr Roberts about the impact on English-language use, while Mr Forsyth said he still used a typewriter. On autobiographies, Mr Fry has completed two and did not rule out more, Mr Roberts plans to release his diaries when he is 60, while Mr Forsyth, who has spent a colourful life in the company of spies, arms dealers and renegades, refuses to write one. When asked if great skill was necessary to become a great writer, Mr Fry and Mr Roberts both said skill and hard work were part of the equation. Mr Forsyth, referring to himself, said, “Obviously no is the answer,” but he admitted that he did “look at those who are [great writers] and say, wow.” Dr Albert Ko (left), Dr Poon Tak-lun and Dr Margaret Chung. From left: Mr Stephen Fry, Mr Frederick Forsyth, Sir David Tang and Mr Andrew Roberts. 95 YEARS YOUNG! CELEBRATING PROFESSOR JAO TSUNG-I’S BIRTHDAY AT DUNHUANG Over 500 celebrities from the Mainland, Hong Kong and overseas gathered at Dunhuang, Gansu Province, to celebrate the 95th birthday of renowned contemporary sinologist and world-acclaimed artist Professor Jao Tsung-I. A banquet was held at the scenic Mogao Grottoes in southeast Dunhuang. The frescoes in the caves, painted from the fifth through the 13th centuries, feature some of the finest examples of Buddhist art. Professor Jao started his Dunhuang studies in the early 1950s. Inspired by Dunhuang art, he later created his own style of painting and calligraphy. At Dunhuang, HKU Vice-Chancellor Professor Lap-Chee Tsui said: “We are here today not only to celebrate the birth of a great scholar, but also to express our heartfelt gratitude to his significant contributions in enriching Chinese culture.” Professor Tsui also thanked Professor Jao for teaching at the Chinese Department of the University in the 1950s and 60s. In 2003, the Jao Tsung-I Petite Ecole was established at HKU. Professor Jao generously donated many of his valuable books, paintings, calligraphy and ceramics to the Petite Ecole, and the collection now contains 30,000 items. Professor Jao in turn thanked his guests, many of whom had travelled from abroad to see him. He wanted in particular to thank those who had made donations in his name for the protection of Dunhuang’s Professor Jao Tsung-I (right) and Ms Fan Jinshi, Director of the Dunhuang Academy. cultural relics, and called for the continued protection and preservation of Dunhuang art. Professor Jao has spent more than 70 years in academic research and artistic creation. He has been widely acknowledged as an historian, sinologist, archaeologist, translator, painter and calligrapher. He is also a highly regarded poet and an expert on Chinese musical instruments. News in Brief