Vice-Chancellor's Report 1990-93

use the knowledge and training they have acquired from this university. The Un i ve r s i t y 's Department o f Extramural Studies has continued to expand its general and professional programmes to meet the increasing needs of the community. Each year an average of46,000 students from different walks of life benefit from the extramural courses offered by the University. Details about course offerings can be found in appendix 3iii of this report. The University has also played an active part in enriching the cultural life of Hong Kong. Art exhibitions, public lectures, concerts and other cultural events organized on and o ff campus by various academic and research units have often attracted many interested members of the public. The Chinese University Press's General Books Publication Programme has from 1990 to 1993 published over 35 titles that are worthwhile and useful to the general reading public. These general books, together with academic works of orginality, dictionaries, and teaching materials published by the University Press, have contributed significantly to the dissemination and popularization of knowledge and experience. Consultancy Services for Hong Kong and China Capitalizing on the professional expertise of its staff members, the University has taken upon itselfto offer consultancy services to local industries and businesses, and to help in the modernization o f China. Apart from establishing new research- cum-consultancy units in the areas o f environmental studies (1990 ), food science (1991), systems engineering (1991), materials technology (1992) and clinical psychology (1993), the University has initiated a study on the 'technology road map' for Hong Kong. Experts examined the strength and weaknesses of Hong Kong in the technology field in general and investigated specific technological areas with potential for development locally. The study looked into such areas in depth, pinpointing business opportunities and identifying missing links in the commercial and industrial infrastructure. Those involved in the study aspire to consult for the private sector about investments in technologically- based industries in Hong Kong. As a result, Varsity Resources Corporation, a company jointly owned and managed by six local tertiary institutions, has been set up to provide the services needed. More University units are helping China to modernize its economy and to train the needed manpower in many fields. The Asia Pacific Institute of Business and the Faculty of Business Administration have been invited by such eminent organizations as the World Bank and the Un i t ed Nations Development Programme to plan and conduct training programmes for China in the fields o f management, economics, macro-planning, marketing, adult learning and manpower training. Tailor-made advanced t r a i n i ng programmes have been commissioned and fully funded by benefactors such as Dr. Chiang Chen for the training of over 300 deputy mayors and senior government officials from Shandong province. Similar programmes were also 35