Newsletter No. 58

CUHK NEWSLETTER New ch airpersons at the Helm Fourteen academics are appointed department chairpersons for the first time as the 1994-95 academic year begins. They are John K. K. Tam of English, Yip Hon-ming of History, Y. K. Shih of Philosophy, Eden S. H. Yu of Decision Sciences and Managerial Economics, Chung Choi-man of Curriculum and Instruction, Lee Shiu-hung of Community and Family Medicine, Mark O. M. Tso of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Norman Woo of Biology, Leung Kam-wing of Mathematics, Wing-hung Wong of Statistics, C. Y. Chang of Government and Public Administration, Joseph M. Chan of Journalism and Communication, Kenneth Chau of Social Work, and S. K. Lau of Sociology. Whereas previously the 'department' and the 'board of studies' functioned as two different entities within each academic discipline, the department has, from August 1994 on, assumedfull responsibility for academic affairs in the discipline concerned as the board of studies was abolished. The head of the department is now the chairman, in whom is vested both the pre-existent executive power of the chairman and the academic responsibilities of the former director of studies. Each department chairman is appointed by the University Council on the recommendation of the vice-chancellor and the Senate. Every department will now have a new department board and an executive committee which, under the leadership of the chairman, takes care of the department's administration and academic development. The terms of reference of the department chairman and the department board are being drafted in detail and will soon be submitted to the Senate. All 14 teachers named at the head of this article are appointed amidst crucial changes in academic administration, and despite the fact that many are CUHK veterans, they are all department chairmen for the first time. They have spoken to the Newsletter about their expectations and apprehensions. In this issue, we report on interviews with seven of them. The other seven will be featured in October. Dr. Norman Woo, Biology 'Thecurriculum has to be restructured, research emphasis redistributed, and space allocation reconsidered,' said Dr. Norman Woo, chairman of Biology Department, outlining his most imminent tasks. ， In Dr. Woo's opinion, changes have to be made to the undergraduate programme in biology in order to accommodate society needs and the demands of the flexible credit unit system. For instance, consideration is being given to reducing certain laboratory sessions or combining them to enhance teaching efficiency. In addition to this, a number of academics in the department happen to be retiring in the near future. When asked whether he would take this opportunity to open up new fields of research as replacement teachers are being recruited, Dr. Woo indicates that both curricular and research development will be carefully and comprehensively evaluated. The department has recently acquired an entire floor in the Science Centre (East Block) in addition to its existing premises, and an optimum use of the space available becomes another high priority on Dr. Woo's list. Dr. Woo's greatest headache, however, is the future of the Marine Science Laboratory. When he first joined the Biology Department 17 years ago, Dr. Woo held a concurrent research post at the MSL. For many years the laboratory was his base for very rewarding studies in fish physiology, and marine biology has for a long time been a research forte of the department. However, the water quality in Tolo Harbour is not what it used to be, and the situation will be aggravated with the construction of the Pak Shek Kok dump site. The chance of finding another site to build a newMSL is remote. So whether the laboratory can go on is anybody's guess,' Dr. Woo said glumly. At the end of the academicyear ,every teacher in the Faculty of Science is asked to submit a written evaluation of his or her department chairman to the vice-chancellor. Such evaluations, which will have bearing on who will be asked to head the departments, suggest a democratic element in the appointment process. Dr. Woo, however, thinks that department chairmen should ideally be elected, and for terms not exceeding three years. He also believes that candidates for chairmanship should have served in the department for at least a required number of years: this will help ensure that the person elected is thoroughly familiar with the department's operation. NO.58SEPTEMBER1994 8