Newsletter No. 209

CELEBRAT lONS I N H O N O UR OF PROF. C.N. YANG'S 8 0 TH B I RTHDAY TheUniversity hosted a full-day programme to celebrate the 80th birthday o f Prof. Yang Chen 1 Ning, renowned Nobel laureate in physics and Distinguished Professor-at-Large at the University, on 28th September. The programme began with a symposium in the morning held at Sir Run Run Shaw Hall featuring a welcoming address by Prof. Ambrose King, vice-chancellor, and talks delivered by Prof. Kenneth Young, pro-vice-chancellor ('Symmetry and Gauge Theory in Physics'), Prof. Yau Shing Tung, director of the Institute of Mathematical Sciences ('Gauge Theory and Modem Mathematics'), Dr. Chen Fong Ching, honorary senior research fellow at the Institute of Chinese Studies ('The World of C.N. Yang: Beyond Physics and Symmetry'), and Prof. Yang himself ('On Reaching 80'). There was also a five-minute movie made by Prof. Yang showing his acquaintance with famous physicists such as Heisenberg, Dirac, Wigner, and Schwinger. In attendance at the symposium were over 1,400 students and teachers of the University and local secondary schools. In the afternoon, the C.N. Yang Archive was formally opened. The archive houses a valuable collection of Prof. Yang's research manuscripts, correspondence, publications, and prestigious medals including the Nobel Prize medal, all of which were donated by Prof. Yang to the University back in 1999. The Biography of C.N. Yang, a book in Chinese on the life and work of the great scientist written by Ms. Yip Chung Man, was launched on the same occasion. In the evening, a birthday banquet was held for Prof. Yang at the Grand Hyatt. The highlights of the banquet included a birthday-cake-cutting ceremony, the showing of a video, and the presentation of birthday gifts to Prof. Yang. The function was attended by about 180 guests from different walks of life, including Prof. Arthur K.C. Li, Secretary for Education and Manpower; Dr. Alice K.Y. Lam, chairperson of UGC; Sir Run Run Shaw, a patron of education in Hong Kong and mainland China; and former vice-chancellors of the University Prof. Ma Lin and Prof. Charles Kao. The University has benefited significantly from Prof. Yang's counsel and academic leadership for over two decades. Reception for New Distinguished Professor-at-Large A reception was held in honour of Prof. Sir James A. Mirrlees on 26th September at the teaching centre in the Bank of America Tower in Central. A world-renowned economist and Nobel laureate in economics 1996, Prof. Mirrlees was appointed Distinguished Professor-at-Large at the University on 1 st August 2002. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for his 'fundamental contributions to the economic theory of incentives under asymmetric information'. He has extensive knowledge in and profound influence on developing economies and his theoretical research has been applied to project appraisal and economic policy in these countries. As Distinguished Professor-at-Large, Prof. Mirrless will spend four months in a year at the University lecturing, guiding research, and promoting academic development. Prof. Mirrlees delivering a lecture on 'How Fast Should Economies Grow' after the reception Doctor s Cal l for Worl d A c t i o n to Figh t Silen t Epidemi c The Department of Medicine and Therapeutics joined the WHO and the International Diabetes Federation in organizing the World Congress on Prevention of Diabetes and Its Complications on 30th September, and the Hong Kong Diabetes and Cardiovascular Risk Factors 一 East Meets West Symposium from 29th September to 1st October 2002. Local and overseas experts gathered at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre to discuss ideas, experiences, plans, and potential problems relating to the developing of community- based diabetes prevention programmes. They made a joint declaration for global action against diabetes on 30th September. It is estimated that over 300 million people worldwide are unaware they are afflicted with impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose — conditions that could lead to diabetes because there are no obvious symptoms. The conditions are more likely to be found in those with a family history of diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. They are also more likely to occur inAsian Indians, Chinese, Pacific Islanders, indigenous Australians, and Middle Eastern communities. (From left) Prof. Clive Cock ra m, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Dr. Gauden Galea, WHO, Prof. Juliana Chan, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Dr. Margaret Chan, Director of Health, Prof. Jaakko Tuomilehto, National Public Health Institute, and Dr. Jie Chen, WHO. First International Day on Campus A n International Day was hel d on 4th October at the Cultural Square on campus to promote cross-cultural exchange and student exchange programmes. Organized by the Office of Academic Links, the function featured performances, booths dedicated to the day's theme, and a book exhibition. Performers included a live band, the CUHK Dance Society, and European folk dancers, while the booths provided services such as national costume fitting and photo taking, Asian, American, and European food, introduction to overseas studies and academic departments in the University. Pro-vice-chancellors Prof. Kenneth Young and Prof. Jack Cheng, and University Registrar Prof. Richard Ho officiated at the opening ceremony.

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