Bulletin Autumn‧Winter 1997

lASP alumni at the closing banquet held at Royal Park Hotel A Unique Programme The I n t e r n a t i o n al As i a n Studies Programme was established in 1976 by the University and the US-based Yale- China Association. The programme aims at promoting cultura l exchange between the East and the West, and is open to students, research scholars an d academic staff from overseas who wish to mak e use of the University's academic resources and research facilities in the broad area of Chinese and Asian studies. Apart from Chinese language trainin g courses, all courses offered are taught in English. In two decades, the programme's annual intake has expanded from its first batch of 59 students to about 150 in 1996-97. Over 1,700 students f r om 34 countries have been on its semester-long or yearlong programme. According to programme director Dr. Kenneth Leung, the majority of the early lASP students majored in courses related to Chinese history o r Chinese culture. More recently there has been an increase i n business adm i n i s t r a t i on students enrolling i n lASP because of Hong Kong's p o s i t i on as a n i mp o r t a nt centr e of i n t e r na t i ona l trade, comme r ce , and telecommunication and information, and as the most efficient and effective gateway to China trade. The unique political, economic, and social positio n of the territory as well as changes entailing the reversion to Chinese sovereignty have also attracted a great number of students in i n t e r na t i onal relations and po l i t i c a l science. Dr. Leung indicates that regardless of areas of study and academic interest, a great numbe r of exchange students c hoo s e to t ak e t he Can t onese o r Dr. Kenneth Leung, programme director Chinese University Bulletin Autumn . Winter 1997 4