Newsletter No. 16

CUHK Newsletter No.16 Mar. 1991 to explore how Hong Kong can improve its competitive edge, maintain itspoliticalstability, and develop a mutually beneficial relationship with SouthChina and nearby regions. The donation will enable the Yale- CUHK programme to invite important scholars to participate in the research activities, to provide fellowships for doctoral students, to employ experienced researchers and lecturers in related subjects, to build up useful library collections, and to finance academic conferences. The combined research efforts of Yale and this university are expected to yield important results, and the two universities are grateful to the donors for their generous gift. First Paediatric Bone Marrow Transplant at the Prince of Wales Hospital T he first bone marrow transplant on a child was successfully conducted by paediatricians of the University on 6th February 1991 at the Prince of Wales Hospital. The patient is a 14-year-old Chinese girl with chronic myeloid leukaemia, which is not curable by conventional drug therapy. Bone marrow transplant is perhaps the best and the only cure. However, even at the best centres the statistical chance of success is only 60 to 70 per cent. Prior to the operation the patient received six days of intensive drug treatment for the destruction of leukaemic cells. After the operation, which lasted for one and a half hours. she was found to be in satisfactory condition and has since been placed in a germ-free environment (a laminar flow unit). She will stay there until there is evidence of a graft. The bone marrow for the operation was donated by the girl's older sister. If all goes well, the patient will be moved to 'protective isolation, for a month before being discharged for convalescence. The full recovery of her immune system will take about a year, and can only be confirmed if there is no evidence of relapse within two years. Intervarsity Debating Contest CUHK vs NTU A n intervarsity debating contest was held between The Chinese University and National Taiwan University (NTU) on 10th February 1991 at New Town Plaza, Sha Tin. The function aimed at promoting cultural exchange between students of the two universities and arousing public interest in debating activities. To enhance the impromptu nature of the debate, the topic was disclosed to the students only one week before the contest, and a draw on the motion took place just two hours before the actual debate. Argu i ng against the motion 'Environmental Protection Hinders the Progress of Civilization', the CUHK team (Mandarin) won by a narrow margin after an hour of heated debate. Mr. Cheung Leong on the CUHK team also won the best speaker award. The performance of the two teams was highly commendedby the panel of adjudicators. Open Day to Introduce Postgraduate Programmes of Engineering Departments The departments of computer A science, electronic engineering, and information engineering jointly organized an open day on Saturday, 9th February to introduce their master and Ph.D. programmes to senior-year students of local tertiary institutions. The function attracted over 200 participants. Departmental laboratories and computer rooms were open on that day and guided tours were provided for the visitors. Teaching staff were also on the spot to explain the academic programmes and answer questions. The three departments will form a new Faculty of Engineering in 1991-92 ， and the University is now building a new computer network for their engineering programmes. It w i ll be the largest workstation network in South East Asia and will enable staff and students of the faculty to gain quick access to resources in overseas universities. 2