A $500-million donation from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust will be used to build a top-notch facility for One Health in Hong Kong. It is the largest single donation received by CityU in its 33-year history. The integrated approach embedded in the One Health concept emphasises multiple disciplines working together to promote the health of humans, animals and the environment. The concept is strongly endorsed by the World Health Organisation, the Food and Agriculture Organisation, and the World Organisation for Animal Health. One Health is also a core focus of the interdisciplinary research identified in CityU’s 2015–2020 Strategic Plan.

CityU conferred honorary doctoral degrees on (from left) Professor Serge Haroche, Dr Joseph Lee, GBS, OStJ, JP, and Professor Wendelin Werner in recognition of their significant contributions to education and the well-being of society at an awards ceremony held in November 2017. Dr Chung Shui-ming, University Pro-Chancellor, presided over the ceremony.

Seven faculty members from CityU have been selected for the list of Highly Cited Researchers announced by Clarivate Analytics for 2017. The annual list recognises leading researchers in the sciences and social sciences around the world. The list is published by Clarivate Analytics, formerly the Intellectual Property and Science business of Thomson Reuters.

The CityU researchers on the list are:
Professor Chen Guanrong (Mathematics, Engineering)
Professor Paul Chu Kim-ho (Materials Science)
Professor Gary Feng Gang (Engineering)
Professor Daniel Ho Wing-cheong (Engineering)
Professor Alex Jen Kwan-yue (Materials Science)
Professor Zhang Qingfu (Computer Science)
Professor Zhou Ding-Xuan (Mathematics)

Members of the City University of Hong Kong Foundation (CityU Foundation) and friends of the University were thanked at the CityU Foundation Annual Dinner in November last year for their contributions over the years and for raising funds to support University and student developments. The dinner, held under the theme “Dream, Navigate, Accomplish (DNA)”, attracted more than 500 guests who helped raise over HK$12 million, a record for the Foundation. The funds will be used mainly to help students participate in activities such as overseas exchanges, internships and competitions.

The Amenities Building has been named the “Bank of China (Hong Kong) Complex” in appreciation of the generous support that BOCHK Charitable Foundation has offered CityU. The recent HK$100- million donation from the BOCHK Charitable Foundation will be used to support the development of CityU’s veterinary medicine projects, support an endowed Chair Professorship and fund overseas exchanges and internships for students.

Professor Luk Kwai-man, Chair Professor in the Department of Electronic Engineering, was conferred the prestigious IEEE AP-S John Kraus Antenna Award for his contributions to the invention of the L-shaped Probe Fed Microstrip Antenna and the Magneto-electric Dipole Antenna for wireless communications. It is one of the highest awards in the antenna field globally, and Professor Luk is the first academic from an Asian institution to receive this award. The recipients in the past were from North American and Canadian institutions.

Professor Wang Xunli, Chair Professor of Physics and Head of the Department of Physics, was elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his distinguished contributions in neutron and synchrotron scattering studies. He is the only scholar elected from Hong Kong in 2017. Since joining CityU in 2012, Professor Wang has been instrumental in introducing this technology to scientists in Hong Kong.

A CityU research team led by Professor Paul Chu Kim-ho, Chair Professor in the Department of Physics and the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, has developed breakthrough technologies that hold great promise for effective cancer treatment and energy saving. Both applications were developed based on the study of photoluminescence and light scattering mechanisms, as well as the plasmonic properties of micronanostructures. The findings have earned the team, comprising researchers from CityU and Nanjing University in mainland China, the highly prestigious First Class Award (Natural Science) in the 2017 Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards (Science and Technology) of the Ministry of Education, China.

The Exhibition Gallery featured one of the most enduring Chinese martial art systems, Lingnan Hung Kuen, along with innovative new media technology and 3D visualisation at a new exhibition starting in December last year on campus. “Lingnan Hung Kuen Across the Century: Kung Fu Narratives in Hong Kong Cinema and Community” showcases aspects of the martial art as a sport, a cultural heritage, and the inspiration for media and film. Documentary photographs, kung fu scripts, vintage movie posters and interactive installations highlight the parallel history of two of the most influential martial arts families in Hong Kong: Mr Lam Sai-wing and his descendants who modernised and systematised traditional martial arts in South China; and Mr Lau Kar-leung, a kung fu movie star and director, who followed in the footsteps of his father, Mr Lau Jaam, and brought “real kung fu” to the silver screen.

CityU and CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP Power) inaugurated the CLP Power Low Carbon Energy Education Centre (the Centre) on the CityU campus in October last year to raise public awareness on the impact of climate change and the importance of low-carbon energy sources. The Centre will showcase successful cross-sector collaboration that puts to the best use both sides’ expertise, resources and strengths in achieving a common goal of promoting a sustainable future.

Members of the Court were briefed on CityU’s latest developments in December last year. This was the 13th meeting since the Court’s inception. Dr Chung Shui-ming, Pro-Chancellor, made special mention in his address about the progress of instituting the One Health concept at CityU with reference to several aspects concerning the College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences; the importance of community support with specific mention of the importance of the recent BOCHK Charitable Foundation’s donation of HK$100 million to support the development of veterinary medicine at CityU, and to boost overseas exchanges and internships; and the inauguration of the CLP Power Low Carbon Energy Education Centre.

Lecture Theatre 1503 in the Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin Academic Building was named “Yue Hwa Lecture Theatre” in appreciation of the generous donations to the University made by Dr Yu Kwok-chun and Yue Hwa Chinese Products Emporium Limited (Yue Hwa). Dr Yu is the Chairman of Yue Hwa and an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration of CityU. Located on the 1/F of the Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin Academic Building, Yue Hwa Theatre can accommodate around 160 people. It is well equipped with advanced audio-visual equipment and is a highly suitable venue for lectures, seminars and forums.

Congregation for the Conferment of Degrees was held in November 2017. At the congregation, Teaching Excellence Awards and Outstanding Research Awards were presented by Professor Kuo, University President, to outstanding faculty members in recognition of their achievements and contribution to the University. Last year CityU produced 7,543 graduates through its provision of quality professional education, comprising 272 doctor of philosophy degrees, 21 doctor of business administration degrees, 14 doctor of juridical science degrees, two engineering doctorates, eight master of philosophy degrees, 3,033 master’s degrees, 228 postgraduate diplomas/certificates, 3,631 bachelor’s degrees, and 334 associate degrees.

CityU Choir, CityU Concert Singers, CityU Philharmonic Orchestra and external musicians and musical groups kicked off the CityU Arts Festival in October 2017. This was the third CityU Arts Festival, and it was held for the first time off campus at Sha Tin Town Hall in front of an audience of around 1,000 fans of the arts and culture. The opening concert started with Yellow River Cantata, featuring narration by renowned voice actor Mr Zhang Miaoyang who introduced the exciting performances by the CityU Choir, CityU Concert Singers and the Pro-Musica Society of Hong Kong.

A new strategic agreement between CityU and the People’s Government of Sichuan Province signed in December 2017 will strengthen cooperation in areas such as strategic consultation, the establishment of a platform for industry-university research collaboration, advancing technology innovation and upgrading industry, international technology transfer, as well as academic and talent exchange.

A newly established applied strategic development centre will analyse and develop solutions that meet critical sustainability issues in Hong Kong from a multi-disciplinary perspective. The Research Centre for Sustainable Hong Kong (CSHK) houses the Sustainable Hong Kong Research Hub and the CSHK International Hub for the Belt and Road, and supports related research and collaborative activities with stakeholders from different sectors and regions.

The CityU Career Festival 2017, organised by the Career and Leadership Centre between 30 October and 3 November 2017, aimed at helping students to prepare well for their future careers and providing them with the opportunity to connect with employers and industry practitioners. The two-day expo attracted 87 reputable companies, including Gammon Construction Limited, Goodwell Property Management Limited, Hang Seng Bank, Hong Kong Disneyland, Hongkong International Terminals Limited, PCCW Limited, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Swire Properties Limited, and The Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Around 200 students from 20 elite secondary schools participated in the “Discovery & Innovation Debating Challenge” in December 2017. The event was organised by CityU and Young Post, South China Morning Post for the fifth year running. The aim is to enhance the students’ understanding of CityU and its innovative approach to learning and to sharpen students’ debating and critical-thinking skills.

Self-consciousness, sensitivity and the ability to observe people and places are essential elements for making enriched films. The author of this book has been watching movies for 40 years, produced movies for 20 years, and taught about movies at CityU for some years. In his view, no matter how much the art of filmmaking might change, three elements remain unchanged: techniques, society and people’s lives.

This book is divided into three appropriately named sections: Close-up, Medium Shot, and Panoramic View. Through these short essays, the author discusses his insights on watching, making and teaching about movies over the years from the perspective of a professional filmmaker.

Twenty years have passed since the handover in Hong Kong. What has remained the same and what has changed since 1997? Most Hong Kong people may feel that social conflict and confrontation between the government and citizens have sharpened.

In this book, academics from CityU’s Department of Public Policy discuss administrative issues that have concerned the HKSAR government since the reunion with mainland China from three aspects: China factors, the HKSAR administrative system, and challenges for policy. The analysis is presented in a simple writing style that combines basic political and public policy knowledge and concepts. The book is intended to inspire readers who care about the future of Hong Kong and wish to contribute to its development.