Bulletin Number One 1987

In 1980-81, Professor Loh initiated and con ducted a Chinese Information Processing Project. The objectives were to design the hardware and software for storing, retrieving and processing information in Chinese. Since 1982, research work has focused on the design of Chinese Data Base System. Members of the Department also conducted other research projects: Computer Architecture, Magnetic Bubble Logic, Optimum Programming, Numerical Methods, Chinese Input/Output, Algorithm Design and Analysis, Database Management System, Database Security and Reliability, Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing, Digital Modelling, Viewdata System, Chinese Language Pro cessing, Network, Scheduling, Computer System Management, Operating Systems, Artificial intelli gence, Programming Languages, Microcomputer System, Computerized Business Applications, Cybernetic Modelling, Computer Simulation, Com puter Aided Instruction, Applications Programming, Programme Design and Data Management. Recently, the Department has developed keen interests in CAD/ CAM research to be applied to local industries. Textbooks on the programming languages FORTRAN and COBOL, and on Computer Science were published. Numerous papers on the topics mentioned above have also been published. Careers o f Computer Graduates Graduates of the Department have either taken up employment with reputable data processing insti­ tutions or gone abroad to pursue further studies in overseas universities. Many of the graduates, majors and minors alike, are holding responsible positions in industry and commerce. Community Service In 1980 ， the Education Department of the Hong Kong Government announced that Computer Studies would be introduced as a subject in some local secondary schools at the Forms 4/5 level in 1982. The Department, in conjunction with the Department of Extramural Studies of the University and the Education Department of the Hong Kong Government offered Certificate Course on Computer Studies for Secondary School Teachers from October 1980 to May 1981. This course proved to be very successful and was repeated six times. A book on Computer Studies for Secondary Schools, with two accompanying workbooks, was published. In 1983, a further course at the intermediate level was offered and the curriculum was based on G.C.E. A-Level syllabus with slight modifications for local needs. This course has been repeated thrice. Future Development The University has made pioneering efforts in the promotion of Computer Science education at the tertiary and secondary school levels. Should resources (budget and manpower) be available, a PhD pro gramme in Computer Science will be launched in the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, the Department has contributed much to the development of Engineering Studies in this University. To conclude, we should like to quote the motto for the Department: ‘Ask not what the computer can do for you. Ask what you, with the aid of the computer, can do for the betterment of mankind.' Professor Loh Shiu-chang Chairman o f the Department o f Computer Science Professor Loh Shiu-chang received the BSc and PhD degrees in Electrical Engineering from Leeds Univer sity, England in 1955 and 1957 ， respectively. He worked at the National Research Council of Canada as a Postdoctorate Fellow on microwave-antenna and wave propagation from 1957 to 59 and taught at the University of Hong Kong from 1959 to 65. In 1965 ， he was a Guest Professor at the Technical University of Denmark. Since August 1966 ， he has been with this University and was appointed to the chair pro fessorship in Computer Science in 1970. Professor Loh has published over sixty papers and two books and owns several patents principally on electromagnetic theory, antenna, machine trans lation, computer science, ideographic keyboard design etc. He was the leader of an international computer scientists delegation to the first computer conference hosted by the Chinese Computer Society in Beijing in September 1979. In 1984, Professor Loh was nominated as the British Computer Society/Sperry Univac Annual Lecturer and presented his lecture entitled ‘A Chinese Puzzle' at the Royal Society. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS 17