HKU Bulletin December 2013 (Vol. 15 No. 1)

News in Brief Cover Story People Teaching and Learning Books Knowledge Exchange Arts and Culture Professor Peter Mathieson Appointed HKU’s 15 th Vice-Chancellor Vice-Chancellor Honoured, Twice Fifth State Key Laboratory Established at HKU HKU Scholars Win Worldwide Recognition HKU Hosts the First Asian International Baccalaureate World Student Conference HKU Students Kick off Rooftop Farming on Campus 01 02 03 04 Arts and Academia Investments in the Past Culture and the Law Hitting All the Right Notes The Work of an Angry Man Winners and Losers in the Art Market Giving Voice to the Migrant’s Memory 05 06 08 10 12 14 16 Research Stormy Weather Mission Possible A Tail to Tell New Hope on Antibiotic Resistance 18 20 22 24 Supporting Academic Excellence No Bed Rest for a Busy Doctor 26 28 Cracking the Glass Ceiling 30 Portrait of the Artists 36 The In-Betweeners Hong Kong’s Deep Contradictions 32 34 Not ’or’, But ’and’ Lightning the Path 38 40 Contents Professor Peter Mathieson Appointed HKU’s 15 th Vice-Chancellor After a global search and selection exercise that took two years, the University Council unanimously approved on October 4, 2013 the appointment of Professor Peter Mathieson as the 15 th Vice-Chancellor of HKU, succeeding Professor Lap-Chee Tsui. He will assume the position on April 1, 2014. Professor Mathieson is a teacher, clinician, medical researcher and academic leader, and is currently the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Bristol. He holds an MBBS (with First Class Honours) from London University and a PhD from the University of Cambridge, where he also taught and was awarded the ‘Teacher of the Year’ award by Cambridge medical students. He is a distinguished nephrologist with a clinical interest in autoimmune renal diseases, and has rich experience in developing research and innovation strategies for the University of Bristol and the higher education sector in the UK. Professor Mathieson is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (London) and an elected Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences. Three forums were held at HKU for Professor Mathieson to meet members of the University: the staff, students and alumni. The University’s Senate subsequently met and resolved to recommend him to the Council for appointment. The Chairman of the Council and of the Vice-Chancellor Selection Committee Dr the Honorable Leong Che-hung was delighted with the appointment of Professor Mathieson. He said: “Professor Mathieson meets the selection criteria adopted by the Council because of the excellence of his academic standing and leadership, his integrity, his vision, the demonstration of his management capabilities, and the effectiveness of his interpersonal and communications skills. I am confident that Professor Mathieson will lead the University to reach the next level of excellence.” Professor Mathieson was pleased and honoured as well: “HKU is an established, comprehensive research-intensive university with an international reputation and major strengths that must be cherished and nurtured. I am confident that I can lead HKU to ever greater contributions to education, research, leadership and public engagement in the region and on the global stage, and I will do my utmost, together with the University community, to take the University to new heights.” The current Vice-Chancellor Professor Lap- Chee Tsui extended his congratulations to Professor Mathieson on his appointment: “I wish him all the best in his Vice-Chancellorship and I look forward to seeing HKU go from strength to strength under his leadership.” From left: Vice-Chancellor Professor Lap-Chee Tsui, Vice-Chancellor-designate Professor Peter Mathieson, HKU Students’ Union President Laurence Tang and HKU Council Chairman Dr the Honorable Leong Che-hung. Professor Mathieson (left) shares his vision for the University with HKU students, staff and alumni at one of a series of forums. B | 01 News in Brief