Bulletin Spring‧Summer 2005

SHKP Nobel Laureates Distinguished Lectures P rof. Sir James A. Mirrlees (left) and Prof. A. Michael Spence (right), Nobel laureates in economic sciences for 1996 and 2001 respectively, were invited by the Chinese University and Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP) to deliver public lectures under the Sun Hung Kai Properties Nobel Laureates Distinguished Lectures programme on 9th November 2004. The programme, made possible by a donation from SHKP, aims at introducing top-notch scholars to the Hong Kong public, promoting professional and entrepreneurial expertise, and encouraging scholarly pursuits. The lectures took place at the Grand Hyatt. Prof. Sir James A. Mirrlees spoke on 'Ageing and Pensions in the Chinese Economies' and Prof. A. Michael Spence discussed 'Economic Growth, the Internet, and the Evolving Structure of Global Markets: Opportunities and Challenges'.The lectures attracted a full house of close to 1,000 people, including government officials, and members of the academic, education, and business sectors. N e w F a c i l i t i e s D e v e o te d t o R e s e a r c h a n d P r o m o t i o n o f P h i l o s o p h y a n d G e n e r a l E d u c a t io n T wo research centres and an archive have recently been established at the Chinese University thanks to a generous donation of HK$22.5 m illion by the Edwin S.L. Cheng Research Fund fo r General Education and Philosophy. At a ceremony held on 29th April 2005, Mr. Edwin S.L. Cheng and family presented the cheque to Prof. Lawrence J. Lau, vice- chancellor of the University. The Research Centre for General Education, set up under the Office of University General Education, strives to deepen discourse and reflection on general education and the idea of a university, foster exchange on general education practices in tertiary institutions in different regions, and promote general education development in Chinese communities. It w ill be headed by Prof. Cheung Chan-fai, director of University General Education and professor in the Department of Philosophy. The Research Centre for Chinese Philosophy and Culture has three fundamental aims: to continue the Chinese humanistic tradition established by Ch'ien Mu, Tang Chun-I, and Mou Tsung-san at New Asia College and the Chinese University, to explore new directions in the study of Chinese philosophy and culture, and to promote academic exchange between researchers the world over. The centre w ill be headed by Prof. Liu Xiaogan, professor in the Department of Philosophy. The new Archive for Phenomenology and Contemporary Philosophy of the Department of Philosophy marks a new phase in the development of phenomenology in Hong Kong, mainland China, and Asia. The archive w ill leverage on the department's experience, network, and library resources on phenomenology. The archive is headed by Prof. Kwan Tze Wan, chairman of the Department of Philosophy. (From left)Prof. Cheung Chan-fai, Prof. K w an Tze Wan, and Prof. L iu Xiaogan News in Brief 43