A New Era Begins 1975-78

Visiting Scholars and Seminars As previously mentioned, one function of the ICS is to provide facilities to visiting scholars to carry on their research projects. They take part i n the Institute's programme of Regular Seminars and mix informally w i th its staff. Recently the Institute has decided to invite four visiting scholars f rom Asian countries each year to spend two weeks in the University, during which they would deliver one to two lectures and conduct one seminar. The presence o f these visiting scholars will not only strengthen the research programme but also provide staff members w i th opportunities to meet them i n person and to discuss matters of mutual interest. It is expected that this programme will encourage other exchange arrangements w i th eminent scholars overseas in the field of Chinese studies. International Conferences I t is the practice o f the Institute to organize international conferences making special use o f the A r t Gallery's exhibition resources. The Institute wi ll not only continue to support conferences of such nature, but widen the scope and scale o f the international seminars and conferences to include a number of disciplines. A Symposium and Exhibition on "Trade Pottery in East and South-east Asia" were held in early September 1978. Another symposium on "International Symposium on Sino-Japanese Cultural Interchange" has been under serious preparation and wi ll be held sometime during 1979-80. The Art Gallery The A r t Gallery is an integral part o f the Institute, rightfully situated in the middle facing the courtyard and front entrance. The split-level design makes it spacious and attractive w i th its tastefully arranged cabinets mounting unique art objects. It is more than a showcase of the University. Besides serving as a teaching gallery to the Board of Studies in Fine Arts, i t has become a centre o f artistic activities for Hong Kong art lovers and a museum open to the public weekdays and during weekends and holidays. While the total number o f visitors during 1976-77 was 24,275, the corresponding number during 1977-78 was 29,394 ， representing a 21.1 per cent increase. Exhibitions I n addition to the seven exhibitions mounted since the opening of the Gallery in September 1971 to 1974, the A r t Gallery has organized the following exhibitions: 1. Japanese Literati Painting (1974); 2. Paintings and Calligraphy by Ming I -min from the Chih-lo Lou Collection (1975); 3. Exh i b i t i on ofTe-hua Porcelain (1976); 4. Calligraphy of the Ming and Ch'ing Periods f rom the Ch'un Yu Chai Collection (1976); 65