HKU Bulletin May 2015 (Vol. 16 No.2)

News in Brief Cover Story Knowledge Exchange Books Arts and Culture 42 44 46 The Final Journey Prelude to Dying The Post-Mortem Dilemma Good Grief A Meaningful End 05 06 10 12 14 Research Teaching and Learning Honours The Mini-Heart Revolution Grisly Rumours and Secret Spaces Turning Bad Fat into Good Fat China’s Puzzling Diplomacy New Application of an Old Drug Growth Industry Helping the Helpers K-Popular! Helping Myanmar Blossom Enlightening the Eager 16 18 20 22 24 26 30 32 34 28 Sticking to His Gums Hong Kong’s Malaria-Ridden Past Amazing Amazon 36 38 40 The Shared History of China and America 48 Art for Art’s Sake 50 Contents In Memoriam Remembering Dr Rayson Huang, the 10 th Vice-Chancellor HKU Outstanding Academics Win Worldwide Accolades Six Prominent HKU Academics Honoured with Croucher Awards HKU Celebrates Excellence in Teaching, Research and Knowledge Exchange United Nations Campaign HeForShe at HKU Calling for Men to Advocate Gender Equality on Campus “The Next Station Is HKU!” Mass Transit Railway’s West Island Line Arrives at the University 01 02 03 04 Online, Off-Campus, Engaged The New Brand Man at HKU TM The Crest of a Wave People In Memoriam Remembering Dr Rayson Huang, the 10 th Vice-Chancellor The University’s 10 th Vice-Chancellor Dr Rayson Huang passed away in the United Kingdom peacefully on April 8 at the age of 94. The Funeral Service for Dr Huang was held at Lodge Hill Crematorium on April 24 in the United Kingdom, while a memorial gathering was held on May 6 at the Rayson Huang Theatre at the University for members in the HKU family. The memorial gathering, which brought together over 300 colleagues, alumni and friends who came to commemorate Dr Huang, commenced with a silent tribute, followed by an address by President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Mathieson, who was on a business trip, in the form of a video message and an eulogy by Emeritus Professor Rosie Young. Having met Dr Huang in person in Birmingham in early 2014 before he assumed office, Professor Mathieson said: “Dr Rayson Huang made great contributions to Hong Kong, in academic, social and political arenas alike. He will be greatly missed by the University and many members of the public, and we send our deepest condolences to his family.” Tributes were also delivered by many HKU members, including Pro-Chancellor Dr the Honourable Sir David Li, Pro-Chancellor from 1994 to 2001 Dr the Honourable Sir Yang Ti-liang, HKU’s 11 th Vice-Chancellor Professor Wang Gungwu and the 14 th Vice-Chancellor Professor Lap-Chee Tsui. A video of the work and life of Dr Rayson Huang was shown, and HKU’s Union Philharmonic Orchestra performed a string quartet arrangement of the Cantonese pop song When in Life’s Journey Tears are Shed . Professor Christopher Huang, one of the sons of Dr Rayson Huang, delivered a note of thanks on behalf of the family. As a distinguished chemist who was conferred the degree of Doctor of Science honoris causa from HKU in 1968, Dr Rayson Huang was the University's first Chinese Vice-Chancellor, the first alumnus to hold the position and also one of the longest serving. Under his leadership from 1972 to 1986, the University experienced an unprecedented period of growth by doubling the size of student body from 4,000 to 8,000, increasing the number of Faculties from five to nine, expanding the size of the campus while unifying it, and initiating a culture of institutional advancement that continues to flourish today. In recognition of his contributions to the University, a bronze statue of Dr Huang commissioned by Dr the Honourable Sir David Li was crafted and installed in the foyer of Rayson Huang Theatre in 2005. Dr Huang also served the Hong Kong community as a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong (1977–1983) and the Basic Law Drafting Committee for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. He actively contributed to the development of the higher education sector in the Mainland, particularly in the establishment of Shantou University. Dr Rayson Huang, 1920–2015. Dr Rayson Huang (fifth from left) with the then senior management team members and guests at the unveiling ceremony of his bronze sculpture in September, 2005. A memorial gathering with a string quartet performance was held at the Rayson Huang Theatre on May 6. One of the five violins donated by Dr Rayson Huang to the University when he retired was also displayed. Professor Christopher Huang, one of the sons of Dr Rayson Huang, delivered a note of thanks on behalf of the family. As a keen violinist himself, Dr Huang (left) performed two Cantonese pop songs on solo violin after the unveiling ceremony of his sculpture in 2005. 01 News in Brief