The Review 2005

2 3 T HE R E V I EW 2 0 0 5 As a comprehensive institution, the University has an astonishing range of expertise. Our academics are passionate about their subjects and keen to share their knowledge and skills with the community. Our students, too, are keen to put their new skills and energies to work for others. Both staff and students have undertaken a number of initiatives that, while not necessarily purely academic, nevertheless advance the good of the community. Providing a service to the public is one type of initiative. The Faculty of Law has worked with the Department of Computer Science, China IT and Law Centre, and Australasian Legal Information Institute to develop the Hong Kong Legal Information Institute (HKLII). This independent, non-profit service provides free public access to legal information in Hong Kong and receives 700 – 800 hits on its web site each day. Another service, the Medical and Health Research Network, acts as a consultant on health economics and health care TheUniversity’smaincampus isagreenoasis in themidst of acrowded, vibrant urbanneighbourhood. This central location offers tremendous potential for developing close working relationships with our neighbours and Hong Kong society as a whole. Nearby residents use our facilities to exercise, meet friends or study. Business and community leaders find it convenient to visit our campus from the Central business district. This close interaction with the community grounds our research and learning in every day life, and enhances our ability to enrich the community with our expertise and discoveries. policy analysis and trains local and regional professionals in such areas as infectious disease control. Students also volunteer their services. Three medical students travelled to the slums of New Delhi to learn about and con- tribute to health care for the needy. Student volunteers also counsel their peers on quitting smoking, an initiative organised by the Departments of Nursing, Community Medicine and Social Work and Social Administration and the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health. Faci l itating exchanges among different groups in the community is a second focus of activity. The Faculty of Social Sciences, for example, organises luncheon meetings for ex- convicts and potential employers so they can understand each other better and improve employment prospects for people with prison records. The programme has received strong positive feedback from all parties. Facing page: The Department of Zoology is working with Hong Kong farmers and government authorities to help protect pigs from viral diseases. Co-operation with the Community