If you can't read this mail, please click here: http://www.cityu.edu.hk/bulletin

No. 59 6 March 2006
 

 

New 4-year degree curriculum structure
The University has outlined its proposed curriculum structure for the four-year normative degree and set in motion a campus-wide consultation process that aims to collect feedback from staff and students. The proposals, which were unveiled at a University Development Forum for staff on 1 March, introduce a new curriculum that will help students face the many challenges posed by today's rapid technological advances, rising interconnectivity and increasing cultural diversity. The new curriculum will allow students to acquire broader knowledge in the arts, humanities, law, social sciences, science and technology, all of which are deemed crucial for preparing students for the world of work and the future development of Hong Kong and the mainland. Thus, the proposed structure advocates that a significant proportion of the credit units needed for graduation should come from General Education, with the balance made up by taking major, minor and free electives, to help students build a broad-based education. At the forum, Professor Richard Ho, Dean of Undergraduate Education, invited feedback from CityU staff and appealed to the campus community to take this opportunity to nurture better students. An online survey to gauge staff opinions is also planned, and CityU students will have the chance to voice their opinions about the proposals at a forum on 9 March.

 

Candidates for Search Committee for a new President
Two members of staff have been nominated to stand for election as Staff Representative on the Search Committee for the President, following the decision of Professor H K Chang, CityU President, to retire in May 2007. The two nominees are Professor C H Chan, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, and Dr John Tse Wing-ling, Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Social Studies. Polling for the Staff Representative will take place on 13 and 14 March from 9 am to 6 pm in the University Lounge, Room 6105, 6/F, Cheng Yick-chi Building.

 

Advances in drug biotechnology
Researchers from the Department of Biology and Chemistry (BCH) will share their latest research and mature technologies for the development of drug biotechnology with prominent members of industry at a CityU Technology Transfer Forum entitled "Advances in Drug Discovery and Development". Co-organized by CityU's Technology Transfer Office, Hong Kong Biotechnology Association Limited and Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks, the talks feature BCH's Professor David Fong, Professor Michael Yang, and Dr Cheng Shuk-han, Associate Professor, discussing advanced developments in traditional Chinese medicine, novel platinum-based anti-tumor drugs, and drug screening and toxicity testing, respectively. The forum will take place on 22 March.

 

Industrialist shares views on construction industry
CityU will host a talk by Dr Geoffrey Yeh, Chairman of Hsin Chong International Holdings Ltd, about developments in the Hong Kong construction industry in a lecture entitled "Construction Industry in Hong Kong — the Past, the Present and the Future". The talk is part of the Distinguished Industrialists Lecture Series organized by the Faculty of Science and Engineering aimed at inviting prominent industrialists to share their views and experience with staff and students. Dr Yeh is a Director of Hsin Chong Land Ltd, as well as a non-executive director of Hysan Development Co Ltd, and China Travel International Investment Hong Kong Ltd. The talk will take place on 10 March in the Wei Hing Theatre.


UNDP Consultancy
In keeping with the University's increasingly prominent role as a centre for specialization in governance and law in the region, Mr C Raj Kumar, an assistant professor in the School of Law and an expert in international human rights law, has recently completed a high-level consultancy with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), acting as Consultant on a project that looks to strengthen anti-corruption measures in Sri Lanka. Mr Kumar's report will be used to help establish guidelines to deal with whistleblower protection with an aim to help eliminate corruption.

 

Health and fitness on campus
The "Wellness March", CityU's annual campaign on health and fitness, celebrated its 10th birthday with an opening ceremony and Quali-Walk on 3 March, promoting the message that a healthy mind needs a healthy body. A major event this year is the CityU Badminton Tournament 2006, organized by the Human Resources Office, which features a special inter-hall competition. Registration is open until 10 March. More details can be found at: www.cityu.edu.hk/hro/sr/bt06

Similarly, the Physical Education Section is running the Exercise Plus Award Scheme 2006 once again to promote healthy living. The Scheme rewards quantity: the more activities you join in the CityU Sports complex, the more points you earn, and the more prizes you can win. All full-time staff and students are welcome.


Kudos
A group of Year 3 students in the Department of Marketing—Cato Leung, Roy Li, Heidi Tam and Ricky Ng—were the 2nd runner-ups in the Convoy Business Administration Paper 2005 organized by the Hong Kong Federation of Business Students with an analysis of the topic "Brand strategy for Convoy — a leading financial planning services provider".

 

Back to Bulletin archive