Newsletter No. 111

2 No. 111 4th September 1997 CUHK Newsletter Spotlight on Asia In the months flanking the reversion of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty, the political and economic development of Hong Kong, mainland China, and other regions in Asia was a predominant theme of three major functions organized by University units. IASPSeminars Four seminars were organized by the International Asian Studies Programme (IASP) as part of its 20th Anniversary Reunion Programme between 28th June and 2nd July. In the opening seminar, 'Hong Kong's Transition in Historical Perspective', Prof. Wang Gungwu, renowned historian and former vice-chancellor of the University of Hong Kong, spoke on 'Hong Kong: Coping with Political Changes'. Dr. Anthony Cheung Bing-leung and Mr. Tsang Yok-sing, leaders of Hong Kong's two largest political parties, debated on the 'Social and Political Development of Hong Kong' from the perspective of their respective parties. The two other seminars were entitled 'Greater China: Hong Kong, China and Taiwan', and 'Future of Hong Kong, SAR within China and Asian Region'. Econometric Society Meeting The University's Department of Economics organized the Far Eastern Meeting of the Econometric Society jointly with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences from 24th to 26th July. Attended by over 200 distinguished economists from all over the world, the meeting was the first of its kind to take place in Hong Kong. The meeting featured a presidential address and a public lecture by 1995 Nobel Laureate, Prof. Robert E. Lucas o f the University of Chicago, entitled respectively 'Inflation andWelfare' and 'The Industrial Revolution: Past and Future'. At a symposium held on 25th July at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, entitled 'Growing into the 21st Century: Hong Kong, China, and Asia-Pacific', 1980 Nobel Laureate Prof. Lawrence Klein of the University of Pennsylvania, Prof. Richard Y.C. Wong of the University of Hong Kong, and Prof. Sung Yun-wing of the CUHK Department of Economics discussed the strategic development of Hong Kong's economy as part of China after 1997. The symposium's second session, 'Continuing Growth of East Asian Economies in the 21 st Century' examined, in particular, the economies of the Four Little Dragons in the coming century. Nobel Laureate Prof. Robert E. Lucas speaking at the meeting Conference on East Asian Economies The International Conference on the Economic Development and Transformation of the East Asian Economies was held on 27th and 28th July by the Department of Decision Sciences and Managerial Economics. It was co-sponsored by the Journal of International Trade and Economic Development. Prof. Murray C. Kemp from the University of New South Wales, Australia, and Prof. Ake E. Andersson, director of the Institute for Future Studies, Sweden, gave keynote speeches in the opening seminar. Prof. Kemp examined the internationalization of the world economy and its implications for national welfare, while Prof. Andersson spoke on 'Globalization and Regionalism in the Pacific Basin'. Distinguished economists attending the conference from the world over discussed the transformation and development of East Asian countries, in terms of such issues as macroeconomics, government policies, and international finance. Anthropology in South China The Department of Anthropology and New Asia College j o i n t ly organized an international conference entitled 'The Futures of Anthropology: Reflections on Anthropological Research and Teaching in South China' on 10th and 11th June. Anthropologists from Hong Kong, Canada, Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, and other regions discussed various topics of socio-cultural anthropology in south China: strength and weakness in the historical development of anthropology; contemporary issues in anthropology and their relevance to research and teaching; research and teaching in different institutions, past and present, and how anthropology can benefit south China in the future; as well as issues crucial to an understanding of the past, present, and future of anthropology in south China. The keynote speaker Prof. Josephine Smart from the University of Calgary spoke on 'Chinese Transnationalism and Modernity in the South China Region: Reflections on Future Research Agenda'. Keynote speaker Prof. Josephine Smart from the University of Calgary (left) and Prof. David Y.H. Wu of the Department of Anthropology, CUHK Gender Studies and Korean Studies Enrich University Curriculum HK's First Gender Studies Programme An undergraduate minor programme in gender studies is offered to students this academic year. The first tertiary programme in gender studies in the territory, the programme aims to provide students with an understanding of the cultural meaning of gender in different societies, the social and institutional structuring of gender and gender roles, and the engendered hierarchies of power in societies past and present. Students minoring in the subject are required to take the course 'Gender and Culture' at the Department of Anthropology, and four elective courses from apool of 18 from different departments. The minor programme is administratively housed in the Department of Anthropology, and is open to students from all faculties. It also serves as a prelude to the initiation of an M.Phil. programme in gender studies in 1998-99. Continued Support for Korean Studies A grant of HK$ 120,000 has been obtained from the Korea Foundation to support the course 'Korea in Northeast Asia' for the second year. The course is offered throught the International Asian Studies Programme and is open for credit to all general education students. It is part of an effort to integrate more courses in Korean society and culture into the curriculum. Such efforts are guided by a committee whose members include Profs. John C. Jamieson, Yeung Yue-man, Kuan Hsin-chi, and Chan Hok-lam. Congress Taps Ocean for Solutions to World's Problems An international congress on marine science and technology, '97 Pacific Congress on Marine Science and Technology' (PACON 97) was held at the University from 6th to 8th August. The congress is a major annual event of PACON International, a non-governmental forum of concerned marine scientists, engineers, industrial organizations, and policy makers. The title of this year's symposium was 'Resource Development, Environment Issues, and the Sustainable Development of Coastal Waters'. Some 200 distinguished experts on marine science and technology, economists, and resource managers from the Pacific Rim countries discussed how the ocean's resources may provide solutions to some of the world's problems, such as increasing population, shortage of resources, and deterioration of the environment. Prof. Norman Woo of the Department of Biology was the chairman of the congress.

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