Tel : (852) 3411 5127 Fax : (852) 3411 5133 E-Mail : rpgs@hkbu.edu.hk March 2008 Volume 24 Congratulations to our Staff Dr. Jiang Zhi-hong (SCM) Award: Overseas and Hong Kong, Macau Young Scholars Collaborative Research Fund, NSFC Project Title: Research on Natural Organic Compounds Inhibiting HIV Entry Dr. Jiang Zhi-hong of the School of Chinese Medicine has been awarded the Overseas and Hong Kong, Macau Young Scholars Collaborative Research Fund by the National Science Foundation of China (NSFC) in 2007. He is the only award recipient from Hong Kong in the Life Sciences Section of NSFC. With effect from January 2008, Dr. Jiang had entered into a three-year collaborative research effort with Prof. Shuwen Liu of the Southern Medical University (formerly the First Military Medical University) in China on the topic of Research on Natural Organic Compounds Inhibiting HIV Entry. Dr. Jiang said that acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a collection of symptoms and infections resulting from specific damage to the immune system, caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Inhibition of HIV fusion with host cells will prohibit HIV from entering the cells, thus preventing and treating AIDS. In his research, high throughput screening technology will be employed to investigate the active components of those Chinese herbal medicines which possess anti-hiv properties. Studies on the chemistry and molecular mechanisms of these natural and structurally-modified compounds will support research and development of innovative anti-aids drugs. Prof. Tang Tao (MATH) Award: Overseas and Hong Kong, Macau Young Scholars Collaborative Research Fund, NSFC Project Title: Numerical Investigation of Initial and the Boundary Value Problems and its Application Available at http://www.hkbu.edu.hk/~gs/ IN THIS ISSUE Congratulations to our Staff.. 1 New Concentration of Business and Financial Journalism in MA in International Journalism Studies................... 3 The 5th Distinguished Lecture Series on Communication and Cultural Studies........... 4........ 4 Homecoming Day 2008 -- See You There!................ 5 Student Awards............ 6 Events of Faculties/ Schools............... 7 For further information, please write to: OFFICE OF GRADUATE SCHOOL Level 7, Fong Shu Chuen Library Building Hong Kong Baptist University Kowloon Tong, Kowloon Hong Kong Prof. Tang Tao, Director of Graduate School and Head of Department of Mathematics, has also been awarded the Overseas and Hong Kong, Macau Young Scholars Collaborative Research Fund by the National Science Foundation of China (NSFC) in 2007. With effect from January 2008, Prof. Tang had entered into a three-year collaborative research effort with Prof. Yuan Li of the Institute of Computational Mathematics of Chinese Academy of Sciences on the research topic of Numerical Investigation of Initial and the Boundary Value Problems and its Application. Prof. Tang has been collaborating with the Institute of Computational Mathematics of Chinese Academy of Sciences since 2002. He had been a member of International Research Team on Complex System of the Chinese Academy of Sciences from 2002-2005. He was named Distinguished Visiting Professor by Academy of Mathematics and System Sciences (AMSS) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. - 1 -
With today s rapid technologically advancing societies and the demand for newer, more efficient and sensory appealing equipment, older and outdated electrical and electronic items are becoming obsolete. Thus, waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE) is being discarded in significant amounts. In Hong Kong, illegal shipments of e-waste from Japan have been intercepted, and computer recycling plants and temporary e-waste storage sites have been found in the New Territories. In order to manage e-waste problem, one standard solution is to implement a Producer Responsibility Scheme (PRS). However, Hong Kong has yet to introduce a well-defined plan for the development of a PRS on waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE), and even if such a plan is proposed within the next few years, it is unlikely that this plan will be able to control the growth of WEEE, owing to an inherent problem in all conventional PRSs. The difficulties in measuring the effectiveness of a PRS on WEEE in HK is further exacerbated by the lack of pertinent information required for the development of such a scheme, such as the quantity of e-waste that is being generated and disposed of in the Territory. To address the aforementioned concerns, the major objectives of this study are to delineate the generation and disposal of major e-waste in and from HK, investigate the environmental and public health impacts of e-waste storage and treatment in HK and to provide recommendations that would effectively regulate WEEE while avoiding the pitfalls of conventional PRS. Cathode Ray Tubes Casings of traditional computer monitors Dr. Lee, Cynthia F K (LC) Award: Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (5th Round) Project Title: Specifying Hong Kong University Students Core Competency: Language Education and Planning In face of the new four-year university education, the landscape of Hong Kong higher education will undergo radical changes. The new direction raises the urgent need for universities to restructure their curricula and re-consider the number of credits for compulsory, elective and complementary subjects. Language which is a core complementary area and a tool to deploy, communicate and present one s linguistic, cultural and professional knowledge deserves our attention in the reform. Dr. Lee has been asking what constitutes the core English competency of Hong Kong undergraduates for years. If we want our graduates to increase their competitive power in the complex and heterogeneous - 2 -
working environment of a cosmopolitan city in the 21st century, should core English competency be concerned with the four language skills - listening, speaking, reading and writing only? Or would it be the language for academic or occupational purposes? Or would it be some other areas which have never been explored before? In what way does Hong Kong stakeholders expected level of English competency differ from other Asian countries? The educational reform provides a good opportunity for researchers and English language practitioners to answer the above questions and re-examine the base level of expected English competency. The funded project allows Dr. Lee to study the issue by obtaining survey and ethnographic data from various sources and views from stakeholders, and comparing Hong Kong undergraduates core English competency with other Asian countries. Since universities are revamping their curricula, the results and the proposed framework, Dr. Lee believes, can provide them a useful reference and help decide on the most appropriate approach to enhance their students English competency according to their own needs and missions. Dr. Lee also hopes that the results can inform English language education and policy at the government level. New Concentration of Business and Financial Journalism in MA in International Journalism Studies Students from MA in International Journalism Studies visited Prague for a one-week Foreign Correspondent Training Course. The Journalism Department is going to launch a brand new concentration of Business and Financial Journalism based on the existing programme of MA in International Journalism Studies. The purpose of the new concentration is to meet the needs of graduates and serving professionals who wish to equip themselves with the skills and knowledge required to cover business and finance, particularly their international dimensions. Students are required to complete a total of 24 units for the award of the degree (including 15 units of core courses and 9 of elective courses). Core courses include Principles of Economics, Business and Finance, Writing for Business News, Introduction to Comparative and International News, etc. There will be 9 elective courses including Globalization, Economics and Finance; Current Issues and Case Studies in International Journalism; Research Methods in Media and Communication, etc. For more details about the new concentration and the programme, please visit the programme webpage www.hkbu.edu.hk/maijs. - 3 -
The 5th Distinguished Lecture Series on Communication and Cultural Studies In December 2007 and January 2008, the Centre for Media and Communication Research at School of Communication had organized four seminars as well as the 5th Distinguished Lecture Series on Communication and Cultural Studies. Conducted by renowned scholars and industry specialists, the well-attended seminars and the lecture generated lively discussion and response. The seminars include: Prof. Chin-Chuan Lee, Chair Professor of Communication at City University of Hong Kong and Professor Emeritus of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota, USA, shared his insights on a thought-provoking lecture Top-Down and Bottom-Up Views of Ideological Diversity: Comparing U.S. and Chinese Media Systems. Prof. Hong Yin, Director of the Centre for Film and Television Studies of Tsinghua University, delivered a seminar on Chinese Cinema and Film Industry in Contemporary China. Ms. Karen Knudsen, Director of the Offi ce of External Affairs at the East-West Centre, USA, gave a talk on Public Affairs for NGOs: Perspectives from a U.S. Asia Pacific Think Tank. Prof. Helen Grace, Director of the MA programme in Visual Cultural mme in Visual Cultural Studies at the Department of Cultural & Religious Studies, Chinese University of Hong Kong, provided insightful analysis on the topic The Visual and the Post-visual Culture. Prof. Robert F. Lauterborn, James L. Knight Professor of Advertising at the School of Journalism & Mass Communication, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, shared his expertise on Updating Integrated Marketing Communications Theory and Practice. - 4 -
Graduate School Newsletter March 2008 Volume 24 Homecoming Day 2008 -- See You There! G raduate school life is always hectic, leaving you nearly no time to get to know about HKBU, your fellow classmates and teachers? Here comes a golden chance for you to put aside books and thesis to enjoy and relax. Homecoming Day 2008, the annual signature event of HKBU, will be held on 26th April. Various fun-filled activities have been specially staged for you and our alumni. Come to the Fun Bazaar where interesting booths and artistic performances hosted by our alumni and fellow students will inspire your creativity. Team up with your faculty members to join the 7-a-side Soccer Match or simply enjoy watching the exciting games run from two to six on the Day. Tea Reception is another not-to-be-missed event where you can catch up with your classmates and your teachers old and new over drinks. Book a table with your classmates or faculty members at the Gala Dinner which will delight you with healthy dishes and performances. Last but not the least, meet and network with our senior alumni at the Investiture that gives due recognition to those graduated 25 years or more. Enrol now to share the fun and show your support. Please help promote the Big Day to your acquainted alumni, fellow classmates, teachers and colleagues. Looking forward to seeing you on 26th April. For more details and enrolment: www.hkbu.edu.hk/alro For enquiry: Call 3411 7877 or e-mail alro@hkbu.edu.hk -5-
Student Awards CHEM Baptist Chemists Postgraduate Paper Award 2007 Mr Chan Wan, PhD graduate, was awarded the Baptist Chemists Postgraduate Paper Award 2007. Student Fellowship at The 9th Asian Conference on Analytical Chemistry (Asianalysis IX) Miss Li Jinhua, PhD student, was awarded Student Fellowship at the 9th Asian Conference on Analytical Chemistry (Asianalysis IX). Best Presentation Award in The 14th Symposium on Chemistry Postgraduate Research in Hong Kong and third-class award of the 10th Challenge Cup Miss Lin Meifang, PhD student, was awarded Best Presentation Award in the 14th Symposium on Chemistry Postgraduate Research in Hong Kong and third-class award of 10th Challenge Cup. MATH Paper Competition for Young Computational Mathematicians 2007 Mr. Hu Guanghui, PhD student, won the first prize in the 2007 Paper Competition for Young Computational Mathematicians organized by the China Society for Computational Mathematics. Mr. Wang Heyu, PhD student, won the second prize in 2007 Paper Competition for Young Computational Mathematicians organized by the China Society for Computational Mathematics. - 6 -
Events of Faculties/Schools Upcoming Events (March 2008 - June 2008) Department / Centre Conference /Activity Date Institute for Enterprise Development (IED) Centre for Media and Communication Research (CMCR), COMD Centre for Media and Communication Research (CMCR), COMD and David C Lam Institute for East-West Studies (LEWI) Centre for Translation Faculty of Social Sciences Physics Geography Centre for Media and Communication Research (CMCR), COMD Faculty of Social Sciences Geography Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU )and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC ) Programme Co-organizers: HKBU and The Life Underwriters Association of Hong Kong Instructors : 1. Miss Fanny Lee, Partner, Erwin Young, Chu & Law 2. Dr. Ronald Chung, Managing Partner, Equity Consulting Company Limited and Honorary Associate, School of Business, HKBU A seminar by Prof. Liu Yan (ENG, HKBU) A seminar by Dr. Ian Aitken (CTV, HKBU) Seminar Topic : Distributing and Marketing Films in Hong Kong Speaker: Ms. Winnie Tsang, Managing Director, Golden Scene Co. Ltd. International Symposium Topic : Marketization in China: A Contested Project from the Communication Perspective Co-organized by LEWI, HKBU Translation Seminar by Professor Mona Baker, School of Languages, Linguistics and Cultures, The University of Manchester Faculty Research Support Network Seminars 1. From Prison to Correctional Services, or the Contrary: The Search of Meaning to Life Between Prison Work and Daily Living from the Workers Narratives (by Dr. Angela Tsun, SOWK) 2. This is our Culture! : Filipino Domestic Workers Public Space Use in Hong Kong (by Dr. Yu Xiaojiang, GEOG) A seminar by Dr. Piotr Kuhiwezak (Warwick University) 2008 Distinguished Lecture in Physics Dr. William D. Phillips, Nobel Laureate Title: Time, Einstein, and the Coolest Stuff in the Universe Elizabeth Chan Cheng E-lay Academic Seminar Series: The Countryside Soundscape of Hong Kong (by Prof. K.C. Lam, Department of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong) Distinguished Lecture Series on Communication and Cultural Studies Topic : What is Chinese Cinema Today? Speaker: Chris Berry, Professor of Film and Television Studies and Co-Director of the Goldsmiths Media Research, Department of Media and Communications, University of London. Co-organized by David C. Lam Institute for East-West Studies (LEWI), HKBU Faculty Research Support Network Seminars 1. Management of HIV/AIDS Related Stigma in Major Settings: The Cases of Older People and Their Informed Significant Others in Hong Kong (by Prof. Victor Wong, SOWK) 2. A Study of the Genetic Factors and Environmental Factors Contributing to Hypercholesterolaemia in Chinese Children (by Dr. Lau Wing Chung, PE) Elizabeth Chan Cheng E-lay Academic Seminar Series: Rethinking the Transborder Labor Organizing in Pearl River Delta (by Prof. Y.C. Chen, Division of Social Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) March - May 2008 Time : 10:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Venue: The Wing Lung Bank Building for Business Studies 3 March 2008 10 March 2008 13 March 2008 Time : 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Venue: A814, Ho Sin Hang Campus 14 March 2008 Time : 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Venue: NAB209, 14 March 2008 Time : 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Venue: DLB701, Centre for Translation, 14 March 2008 17 March 2008 25 March, 2008 Time : 4:30 p.m. Venue: WLB203 27 March 2008 27 March 2008 Time : 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Venue: DLB802, 27 March 2008 3 April 2008-7 -
A seminar by Dr. Arthur McNeill (HKBU) 4 April 2008 Faculty of Social Sciences Faculty Research Support Network Seminars 11 April 2008 1. To be confirmed (by Prof. Chen Feng, GIS) 2. Educational Stratification in China A View from the Top (by Dr. Ruan Danching, SOC) Physics Social Work Geography A seminar by Dr. Julia Kuehn (HKU) 2008 Distinguished Lecture in Physics Prof. C.N. Yang, Nobel Laureate Title: To be followed Seminar on Social Exclusion and Youth Employment in Germany (by Prof. Karl- Ludwig Kreuzer, Nuremberg University of Applied Sciences, Germany) Elizabeth Chan Cheng E-lay Academic Seminar Series: The Development of Spatial Information Technology in China (by Prof. Xu Guanhua, China Academy of Science, China) 14 April 2008 16 April, 2008 Time : 4:30 p.m. Venue: WLB203 16 April 2008 17 April 2008 Faculty of Social Sciences 2008 Faculty Day 19 April 2008 Centre for Translation Translation Seminar by Dr Joseph Hong, United Bible Society 24 April 2008 Time : 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m Venue: DLB701, Centre for Translation, Geography Elizabeth Chan Cheng E-lay Academic Seminar Series: 30 April 2008 1. Mass-ecotourism Development and Ecotourism Certification in Hong Kong (by Mr. Chung Ching Kan, MPhil student, GEOG, HKBU) 2. Environmental Justice in Hong Kong: Spatial Equity of Parks and Recreation Facilities (by Mr. Lam Wai Keung, MPhil student, GEOG, HKBU) 3. Presentation by Mr. Wong Tat Fai, PhD Student, GEOG, HKBU (Topics to be confirmed) Centre for Translation Translation Seminar by Mr Bill Porter, Translator 15 May 2008 Time : 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Venue: DLB701, Centre for Translation, Centre for Translation Modern History Research Centre Institute for Enterprise Development (IED) Translation Seminar by Professor Eugene Chen Eoyang, Chair Professor of Humanities, Head of the English Department, Lingnan University The 2nd World Business Ethics Forum Theme: Rethinking the Value of Business Ethics Organiser: School of Business, HKBU Conference Secretariat: Institute for Enterprise Development (IED), HKBU Conference Website: www.hkbu.edu.hk.~wbef 26 June 2008 Time : 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Venue: DLB701, Centre for Translation, 27-28 June 2008 11-12 Dec 2008 Advisory Board Prof. Tsoi Ah-Chung, Vice-President (RIA) Prof. Tang Tao, Director of Graduate School Dr. Robert Lam, Academic Registrar Prof. Chow Kwok Ching, Department of Chinese Language and Prof. Clayton MacKenzie, Department of English Language and Mr. Wong Siu Kei Ivan, President of Postgraduate Association Editorial Board Ms. Vivian Cheng, Office of Graduate School Miss Iris Kam, Office of Graduate School Miss Vivien Lee, Office of Graduate School - 8 -