Newsletter No. 24

cuHK Newsletter No24 November 1991 movements of Australoids, negritoes and Austronesians in Melanesia since the ice ages were related to a blood disease 一 alpha thalassaemia - and the transmission of malaria in the region. He pointed out that intermarriage between the Austronesians and the descendants of Australoids and negritoes caused genetic mutations (the deletion of specific alpha globin genes), resulting in amild blood disease known as alpha thalassaemia. The frequency of such gene deletions is very high in Melanesia, affecting some 95 per cent of certain populations. This frequency is at the same time correlated geographically to the transmission of Malaria, suggesting that there may be a selective advantage to this genetic error in that it can offer protection against Malaria. Renal Biopsy Pathology Course About 65 pathologists and renal physicians from various hospitals in Hong Kong attended arenal biopsy pathology course held on 28th September at the Prince of Wales Hospital. Organized by the University's Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology and the Hong Kong Division of the International Academy of Pathology, the course aimed to update local pathologists and renal physicians on the biopsy features of different types of renal diseases common in Hong Kong such as lupus nephritis and IgA nephropathy, and other rarer renal diseases like vasculitis. The use of renal biopsies in monitoring renal transplant patients was also discussed. New Publications o f the Uni vers i ty Press The following books will be sold at a 20 per cent discount to staff members at the University Bookshop, John Fulton Centre: • Hong Kong Taxation: Law & Practice 1991-92 edition (《香港稅務：法律與實 施說明（1991—92 )》） (in Chinese) translated by Aloysius H, Y. Tse, 511 pages, paperback, HK$155. •Occupational Health: Diseases and Accidents( 《 職業健康：職業病及職業意外》） (in Chinese) by Ignatius T. S. Yu, 216 pages, paperback, HK$35。 • Chinese Classical Prose Appreciation (《古文今讀》） (in Chinese) by Chan Yiu-nam, 294 pages, paperback, HK$40. Services to the Community and International Organizations • Prof. T. B. Lin, head of New Asia College and professor of economics, has been invited by the International Association of Educators for World Peace to serve as a member of its advisory board from 1st M y 1991. • Prof. K. C. Mun, dean of business administration and professor of marketing, has been invited by the University of Malaya to serve as an external assessor for its Division of Business Administration from September 1991 to December 1992. • Prof. Arthur K. C. Li, professor of surgery, has been appointed a member of the Medical Council of Hong Kong by HE the Governor for three years from 1st October 1991. • Mr. Stephen C. M. Yam, lecturer in accountancy, has been appointed an honorary professor of East China University of Chemical Technology from 12th September 1991. • Dr. Cheng Yin-cheong, lecturer in education, has been invited to serve as a member of the Advisory Committee on the School Management Initiative for one year from 1st September 1991. • Dr. Fanny M.C. Cheung, senior lecturer in psychology, has been appointed to the Council of the Queen Elizabeth Foundation for the Mentally Handicapped by HE the Governor for three years from 15th August 1991. - Mr. Andrew W. F. Wong, lecturer in government and public administration, has been elected to the Legislative Council for a term of four years from 1991. Mr. Wong has also been appointed by HE the Governor as a member of the District Board of Sha Tin for three years to 30th September 1994, and a member of the Executive Council for two years until 30th September 1993. • Prof. Ho Kam-fai, professor of social work, has been appointed a member of the Advisory Committee on Social Work Training and Manpower Planning by HE the Governor for two years from 1st November 1991. (All information in this section is provided by the Information Office) 3