Bulletin Spring‧Summer Autumn‧Winter 1999

News in Brief Members of the University Honoured * Prof. Charles K. Kao was recently conferred an honorary degree of Doctor of Science by the University of Sussex, Brighton, UK in recognition of his scientific achievements in the field of optoelectronics and optical communication. Previou s Hong Kong recipients of the same award include Sir Run Run Shaw and Prof. Ma Lin, former vice-chancellor of this University. Prof. Kao received the honour f r om the Chancellor of the University of Sussex at the university's summer graduation ceremony held on 17th July in Brighton. * Prof. Shu-ting Chang, professor of biology and director of the Institute of Science and Technology, was recently elected a Fellow of the W o r l d Ac ademy of A r t and Science (WAAS), Sweden. Prof. Chang is the second WAAS fellow from Hong Kong, the first being Prof. Rayson Lisung Huang. A highly respected scientist renowned for his pioneering work on fungal genetics, Prof. Chang is the president of the International Mushroom Society for the Tropics and the Hong Kong representative of the UNESCO Regional Network of Microbiology in Southeast Asia. His three decades of research in edible mushrooms and food protein has resulted in the development of a 'mushroom science' which has brought significant economic and health benefits to the developing countries in Asia. * Prof. Ping-chung Leung, chairman of the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, was awarded the Listen Victoria Jubilee Prize in Clinical Surgery in May by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, UK in recognition of his outstanding contributions to microvascular surgery and free transfer of bone grafts. Prof. Leung is the second Asian recipient of the prize, the first being Prof. G.B. Ong, also from Hong Kong. * Prof. Dominic M . K . Lam, director of the Hong Kong Institute of Biotechnology and professor of biotechnology of the University, was recently awarded the 1990 Alcon Awa rd by the A l con Research Institute, USA, for his outstanding contributions to eye research. Alcon Laboratories Inc., with its headquarters in Fortworth, Texas, is one of the world's largest ophthalmic pharmaceutical companies. Each year through its research institute it honours outstanding scientists with special achievements in medical research. * M r s . May Choi, nursing sister at the University Health Service, has been awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours List 1990 in recognition of her contribution to the Hong Kong Auxiliary Medical Services. Mrs. Choi has served in the Auxiliary Medical Services for 25 years and is now district commander for Sai Kung. She joined the University in 1968. n e ws 24