Newsletter No. 14

No. 14 Jan.1991- cuHK Newsletter Department of Statistics Conference on Recent Developments in Statistical Research 15th-17th December 1990 Science Centre, CUHK The conference was organized by the International Chinese Statistical Association and cosponsored by the Department of Statistics. Over 160 statisticians from mainland China, Taiwan, USA, Canada, Singapore and Hong Kong took part in the conference to exchange views on the latest trends of statistical research. More than 100 papers were presented in 24 sessions, covering a wide range of topics including mathematical statistics, social and economic statistics and biostatistics. The International Chinese Statistical Association was established in 1987 to promote academic exchange among Chinese statisticians from different parts of the world. The conference was the first of its kind organized by the association. Department of Surgery Wilson T. S. Wang International Surgical Symposium 14th-16th December 1990 Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre The symposium was held to provide a forum for surgeons from different parts ofthe world to present their research findings, share their surgical expertise, and discuss new advances made in the surgical field. Medical educationists explained new methodologies of training, and young trainee surgeons p resented their work to internationally r enowned experts for comments and advice.Surgeons from this University introduced to overseas participants the techniques of using laser surgery to treat inoperable oesophageal cancer and of using silastic balloons to expand the skin in the treatment of unsightly scars. Over 250 surgeons from 25 countries/ regions including mainland China, Taiwan, Australia, UK and USA attended the symposium, which was funded by a generous donation from Mr. Wilson T.S.Wang. 'Growth and Nutrition' Exhibition A Growth and Nutrition Research Team was set up in the Department of Paediatrics in 1984 to study the growth and nutritional status of Hong Kong infants. After six years of intensive study, the department held a press meeting on 1st December 1990 to announce some of the research findings. An exhibition was also staged at the Prince of Wales Hospital to explain to the public the relationship between child growth and nutrition. The research team points out that whilst nutrition is crucial to infant growth, the present dietary intake of Hong Kong infants is already adequate, and that if care is not exercised, overnutrition and fatness will result. Good eating habits should be cultivated (luring childhood to prevent obesity in adolescence and adulthood. 5