The Review 2009

46 The Review 2009 • Community HKU F o l d e r • 0 7 HKU Commun i t y • 3 r d P r o o f • 1 s t De c emb e r 2 0 0 9 • S t a f f : 1 3 4 • C l i e n t • J o b No : AR0 9 2 9 1 6 46 The Review 2009 • Community The University has a special place in the history of Hong Kong and the region. It has been a source of leadership and knowledge since 1911 and its academics and alumni have been at the forefront of addressing the many challenges and opportunities arising from rapid change. As Hong Kong has become an international financial centre, we continue to find new ways to contribute to the betterment of Hong Kong and its people, as well as the wider region. One way we do this is by pushing knowledge boundaries and sharing our expertise. Our response to the May 2008 Sichuan earthquake is a good example. Seed funding has been provided to 15 projects that help people in the region to re-build. All of the projects have a research or educational component so we can stay true to our purpose as a university, and include such initiatives as improving earthquake resistance in buildings, developing a grief therapy manual in the event of catastrophes and setting up e-learning facilities in a school (which were installed by students – see the Learning Without Borders chapter). We also contribute to intellectual discourse in the community by bringing prominent international academics and personalities to the campus to give public lectures. In 2008-09 visitors from around the world joined our initiatives in the arts and humanities (see Promoting the Arts and Humanities ). Shaw Prize Laureates Professor Simon K. Donaldson of Imperial College, London, and Professor Clifford H. Taubes of Harvard University, gave lectures on the mathematical sciences, while Nobel Laureate Torsten Wiesel lectured on visual perception. We also received such luminaries as former US President Bill Clinton and pioneering AIDS researcher, Dr David Ho, who were conferred honorary degrees for their shared commitment to humanitarian causes and their global leadership in HIV/AIDS research and advocacy. Chinese dissisdent journalist Dai Qing held a talk on her latest books and Oscar-winning film director Ang Lee returned to Loke Yew Hall, where he filmed parts of Lust, Caution , for a public talk on his artistic journey. Community mindedness also means providing a welcoming place for people of all kinds. The increasing numbers of international students and faculty prompted us to open a Halal food corner in 2009 to meet the dietary needs of Muslims on campus. Our scholars organised public events such as Africa Day and Japan Month to promote understanding of other cultures. The Centre of Development and Resources for Students also offered a slate of programmes that promote global citizenship, inclusion and diversity. Our contributions to the community take a physical form, too. We are a green oasis in our neighbourhood in Western District. When the new Centennial Campus opens in 2012, it will provide further open space for the public. The new campus is being built with funding support from the government and the community and it dovetails with our centenary in 2011-12. Planning is underway to ensure everyone can join us in celebrating our 100 years as a pivotal member of the Hong Kong community. Pictured opposite clockwise: Former US President Bill Clinton, Dr David Ho, film director Ang Lee (right), Professor Daniel K.L. Chua (left), Professor Torsten Wiesel, Professor Clifford H. Taubes, Professor Simon K. Donaldson. 47 The Review 2009 • Community