Annual Report 2004–05

Staff Population The University's staff population increased slightly by three per cent to 5,236 i n 2004-05, and the figure includes teaching, research, administrative and office support staff. There were a total of 1,112 teaching staff members, of w h o m about 30 per cent were recruited f r om outside H o n g Ko ng and about 65 per cent were aged between 30 and 50. Academic Staff Profile Amo n g the 92 new academic appointees joining the University i n the year, seven took u p their appointment as chair professors f r om established institutions or organizations, such as Ha r v a rd University and Ox f o rd University. These i n c l uded Prof. H u g h D. Baker and Prof. Lee O u Fan, professors of human i t i e s; Prof. K u n g Hs i a ng Fu, professor of v i r o l o g y; Prof. Lee Shui Shan, professor of infectious diseases; Prof. Suen W i ng Chuen, professor of economics; Prof. N i o u M i n g Shyr, professor of government and public administration; and Prof. Sian M . Griffiths, professor of public health. Prof. A n d r ew C.C. Yao, W i l l i am and Edna Macaleer Professor of Engineering and A p p l i ed Science of Princeton University, has also been named an additional distinguished professor-at-large of the University. There are three other distinguished professors-at-large at the University, namely, Prof. Yang Chen N i n g, Prof. James A. Mirrlees, and Prof. Yau Shing Tung. Research Academic Grades There has been a continuous expansion of research activities in the University. To further enhance s u p p o rt i n research endeavours, apart f r om o f f e r i ng research professorships to established scholars, the University has introduced the ranks of research assistant professor and research associate professor i n order to engage p r om i s i ng researchers. A p p o i n t me nt to the research academic ranks is made after rigorous assessment like that for other academic staff a nd the appointees w i l l focus efforts on research wh i le undertaking teaching duties at the same time. Staff Training and Development As always, it was the Un i v e r s i t y 's objective to encourage staff membe rs to enhance their knowledge and skills through continuous learning to meet ever-changing job demands. I n 2004- 05, the f o l l ow i ng training and development opportunities were offered: • Staff development programmes and grants: three teachers received financial support f r om the University or f r om external sources i n the f o rm of scholarships, fellowships, training loans or special grants amo u n t i ng to HK$230,000 to further their studies and conduct research at local and overseas institutions of higher learning. • Conference grants: financial assistance was g i v en to 339 successful applicants to attend academic and professional conferences i n H o n g Ko ng and overseas. • R e i mb u r s eme nt of t r a i n i ng a nd d e v e l o pme nt expenses: successful a p p l i c a n ts we re reimbursed via their d e p a r t me n t ' s / u n i t 's t r a i n i ng budget to attend job-related seminars, workshops, and training programmes r u n by external institutions. • The Staff Training and Development Un it of the Personnel Office organized internal training workshops and a total of 3,069 staff members of different levels attended the workshops last year. Apa rt f r om those on customer service skills and interpersonal skills, training on cultural diversity was given to managerial/executive staff and front-line staff to enhance their cross- cultural awareness and sensitivity. Putonghua classes were also organized for m i nor staff. I n collaboration w i t h the University He a l th Service, the Staff Training and Development Un it launched a l un ch talk series named ' Qua l i ty Life, Hea l t hy Campus' to promote employee wellness and work-life balance. 敎 職 員 Staff 6 9