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Prof. F. Sherwood Rowland, Donald Bren Research Professor of Chemistry and Earth System Science, University of California, Irvine, USA, visited United College between 15th and 21st October 2006 as the first Distinguished Visiting Scholar in the College's 50th Anniversary Year.
Prof. Rowland was involved in studying atmospheric concentrations, especially trace chemicals in the atmosphere and its effects on it. Together with Prof. Mario Molina, he identified that CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) were responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer. Prof. Rowland's research became the foundation for the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer by 26 countries in 1987, and a growing public awareness of the ozone layer problem. He received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry along with Prof. Mario Molina and Prof. Paul Crutzen in 1995. Prof. Rowland has also been investigating methane gas and its impact on the atmosphere. Methane gas has been shown to contribute to the 'greenhouse effect' which serves to raise the temperature of the earth's atmosphere.
Prof. Rowland has received honorary doctorate degrees from Princeton University and the University of Chicago. Among Prof. Rowland's awards are the prestigious Japan Prize in Environment and Energy, Tyler World Prize in Ecology and the Rachel Carson Award from the Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.
During his visit, Prof. Rowland delivered two public lectures entitled 'Stratospheric Ozone Depletion' and 'Greenhouse Gases, Global Warming and Climate Change'. The lectures were well attended by government officials, representatives from environment concern bodies and scholars from other tertiary institutions.
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United College 50th Anniversary Celebrations
Weeks of celebration activities including an opening ceremony, a fun run, a bazaar and the ceremony marking the college's 50th anniversary were successfully concluded on 20th October 2006. Over a thousand students and their parents and guests of the college attended the anniversary ceremony at the Sir Run Run Shaw Hall. It was followed by a birthday party held on the college campus.
The highlight of the anniversary activities was the 'feast-for-a-thousand' held in the evening.
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