Bulletin Autumn‧Winter 1990

Research projects are mainly undertaken by regular academic staff members of the University. Individuals outside the University may apply to participate in activities of the institute a s visiting scholars and honorary research fellows or associates. Funded by the University, the institute is more favourably supported than its predecessor in terms of resources and enjoys greater administrative flexibility. One example is the provision of an annual research fund by the University on top of the allocation for recurrent expenses. The fund allow s the institute greater freedom in launching research programmes and organizing relevant promotional activities. The institute is also active in soliciting external support for its programmes. Research Activities The institute's research activities will develop along four major directions: (A) Strategic Research Programmes (B) Information & Documentation (C) External Liaison and Consultation (D) Publication • (A) Strategic Research Programmes Seven strategic research programmes each heade d by one or two faculty members with expertise in the respective fields, have been established. Funds have been earmarke d for each programme to finance related publicity and publication activities. Programme China's Reform and Development Gender Research Programme Hong Kong and Asia-Pacific Economies Japan and Asia-Pacific Development Urban and Regional Development in Pacific Asia Political Development of Hong Kong Social Indicators and Social Development of Hong Kong Programme Director (s) Dr. Hsueh Tien-tung, reader, Department of Economics; and Dr. Peter N. S. Lee, senior lecturer, Department of Government and Public Administration Dr. Fanny M. Cheung, senior lecturer, Department o f Psychology Dr. Liu Pak-wai, reader, Department of Economics; and Dr. Richard Wong Yue-chim, senior lecturer, Department of Economics Dr. Liao Kuang-sheng senior lecturer, Department of Government and Public Administration Prof. Yeung Yue-man, professor of geography Prof. Lau Siu-kai, professor of sociology Prof. Lau Siu-kai; and Ms. Wan Po-san , research officer of the institute Future funding for individual programmes will depend on their performance and their contribution to the institute. New programmes will be developed from time to time to reflect changes in research interests and social needs. (B) Information and Documentation The institute houses a comprehensive collection of local newspaper clippings, government publications and papers, and reports from various research institutes and public organizations. Most of th e research materials collected have been computerized. University staff members can make use of the on-line information retrieval system to gain access to the unit's database. Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies 15