Message from the Vite-Chancellor
Recently the Government requested, and the Legislative Council approved, a large sum of public funds supplementing contributions by The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club to meet the University's construction cost. Information submitted to the Government by The RHKJC, which manages the construction project for the Government, reflected that 1he ini1ial budget of $1.620 billion (late 1987 dollars) for Phase I and II had been based on very preliminary ideas and general formulas.As the opening date for the University was advanced from 1994 to 1991, detailed design and construction had to proceed in parallel. Under this fast-track approach, a number of unfore-seen factors emerged. They included difficulties with the site location, underprovision for housing, unknown geophysical conditions, advanced preparatory work for Phase 111, extraordi-nary inflation for electrical and mechanical work, and extra cost due to fixed price contracting. An additional consequence of the fast-track approach was the necessity of beginning design and construction before the appointment of a single academic. This late input of academic needs accounted for a compara-tively small percentage of the increase.
The final cost would amount to $2.340 billion in late 1987 dollars. (Normal inflation indexing over the span of the con-struction period would raise it to $3.548 billion in mid-1990 ~ . )
Once again demonstrating a deep concern for meeting Hong Kong's education needs.The RHKJC increased its con-tribution from $1.500 billion to $1.926 billion. For this, the Uni -versity wishes to express its deep gratitude.
The fast-track approach turned out to be a costly decision. However, in these critical times, three extra years of highly trained talents could mean a lot to Hong Kong's economic prosperity. It is difficult to measure in dollars and cents the worth of such additional talents let alone the muttiplying and cascad -ing effects they are likely to cause. The extent to which the Government is determined to provide Hong Kong with ade-quate facilities to support a world-class technological university is further evidence of its commitment to Hong1<ong's continued economic development.
Developments and Perspectives
Office of the Pro
-
Vice
-
Chancellor
(Academic Affairs)
The Office of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Aca-demic Affairs is a relatively small one. It consisffof Prof. Chih-yuen Chien, PVC(AA), Dr Henry Liu, Associate PVC(AA) and two Personal Secretaries, Ms Jane Li and Miss Emily Chan.
Despite its small size, it carries the major respon -sibilities of planning and coordinating most of the academic development of HKUST. With Depart-ment Heads and advisors scattered all over the world, a large portion of these activities are being conducted over the telephone and via fax machines. The two Personal Secretaries, in addition to carrying out the normal functions of the Office, have been serving the needs of many of the overseas aca -demic staff and advisors.
During the past year, major emphasis was placed on senior staff recruit!llent, preliminary programme development, and design of teaching and research laboratories, .classrooms and other academic sup-port facilities. Now that Phase I and Phase II building designs and layouts are essentially complete, the Office is turning more attention to detailed curricu-lum development, procurement of teaching and research equipment, and planning departmental budgets. Soon, with the approach of building con -struction completion, there will be the added tasks of coordinating the implementation of various aca -demic support service masterplans, including Edu-cational Technology, Computing and Telecommu-nication Services, and Library Services.
The PVC(AA) staff will be increased by two to three members in the coming months, though in the long run it will most likely remain relatively small in size.
June 1990
Staff Introduction
for the Offices of the Vice-Chancellor Pro-Vice-Chancellor (AA) Pro-Vice-Chancellor (AB) Planning
&
c·oordination EMILY CHAN, Personal Secre1ary of Dr Henry Liu, enjoys listening to music, going to movies, reading, picnicking and playing racket sports. She came lo HK UST from the Universi1y of Hong Kong.AGNES CHEUNG, Execu1ive Otticerof the Planning and Coordina-tion Office, is responsible for data collecCoordina-tion and analysis. Her hobbies are playing piano, bowling and playing mahjong. Previ-ously she worked for Hong Kong Poly1echnic. She is a member of the Management Committee of the HK UST Social Club.
STELLA IP CHAN, Senior Personal Secretary of Mr I. F. C.
Macpherson, is on secondment from Hong Kong Government. Her hobbies are swimming, tennis, travelling and reading. She is a member of the Management Committee of the HK UST Social Club.
MECELL LEE, Personal Secretary of Prof. Peter Dobson, enjoys chinese painting, cooking, travelling and reading. She came 10
HK UST from Hong Kong Telephone.
JANE LI, Personal Secretary of Prof. C. Y. Chien, enjoys picnicking, cycling, photography and shopping. She was formerly an em-ployee of China Light and Power.
CA THY WONG CHAN, Clerk, serves the Vice-Chancellor's Ottice. Her hobbies are 1ravelling, singing and cooking. Previously she worked for the St. John's Ambulance Association.
MAGDALENA YEN LEUNG, Senior Personal Secretary of Prof. Chia-Wei Woo, is a member of 1he Management Committee of the HKUST Social Club. She enjoys 1ravelling and family gatherings and was formerly employed by Hong Kong Government.
•'' .·.
(from upper left to right) Magdelena Yen Leung, Cathy Wong Chan, Agnes Cheung, Mece/1 Lee, Jane Li, Emily Chan, Stella Ip Chan.
j
Social Club Update
I
Tournaments! Tournamen1s! Tournamen1s! The Management Commit1ee of the Social Club met on June 15 and decided to kick off the 1990-91 athle1ic programme with a series of tournamen1s. The first two, badminton and table tennis, will be held in late July. Watch out for circulars coming your way in a week or two.
S
taff Movement in May
Welcome Aboard to New Staff!
School of Enoineerino: Prof. H.K. Chang, Dean of Engineering and Professor of Chemical Engi-neering; Miss Cheung Suk-ming, Catherine, Personal Secretary I. Department of Mechani
-cal Enoineerino: Prof. Pin Tong, Professor and Head. Admissions, Reoistration & Records: Mrs Choy Ma Yee-man, Miranda: Assistant Secre-tary; Mrs Pong Cheung Shuk-han, Executive Otticer I. Computino Services and Telecom
-munications: Mr Tang Wah-hau, Danny, Man-ager of the Computing Information Centre; Mr Tang Wing-choi, Michael, Senior Computer Otticer. Finance: Ms Lee Lin-yuk, Cindy, Assis-tant Finance Manager (Accounting). General Administration
&
Committees: Mr Leung Ho-yin, Patrick, Clerk II. Lanouaoe Centre: Miss Fan Shui-fan, Ada, Personal Secretary II.L.i.b.r.arY.:
Mrs Sin Ma Yim-ling, Sharita, Personal Secre-tary II. Personnel: Miss Lee Kit-yee, Frances, Assistant Secre1ary; Miss Chan Chau-yin, Re
-becca, Personal Secretary II.
Resignation:
Public Affairs: Ms Tang So-yee, Renee, Clerk II.
Transfer:
ComputinQ Services and Telecommunications: Mr Wong Kwok-wai, Steven, from Executive Otticer I to Compu1er Officer.
From ComputinQ Services and Telecommunica-ll.QD.S to Public Affairs: Mr Mak Lai-ming, Donald.
Graphically
Speaking
by Danny Yung
Going in circles and
getting trapped in one's own words ...
June 1990
Plenty of Credit to Go Around
The "modular credit" system we have proposed is quite common in the U.S. but not everyone in Hong Kong may be familiar with it. To prepare the non-Americans for any possible culture shock, I thoug}?,J:.Ji, I would outline just how it works. ·
I think of"credits" as a form of currency one uses to purchase a university degree. The average price for a (four year) first degree in the U.S. is about 130 credits. (There are a few "universities" that sell degrees for dollars rather than credits -- indeed, a few will give you a diploma from the university of your choice.) Students earn their credits by taking courses -- the term "course" denoting a class in a single subject.
On this basically simple structure, we impose furtber demands; namely, that students satisfy "core" requirements, major requirements, and that they choose "electives". (Which is the same thing as electing choices.) Thus, a ·degree programme is somewhat analogous to demanding that students as-semble a portfolio of currencies with which to buy their degrees.
For example, the Business Administration stu-dent will have to earn quite a few HK$ worth of Business courses, but she also will need several £ of English, a few francs of Art, even a DM or two of Science. Just to make things difficult, money chang-ing is prohibited. One of the most difficult challenges for an American college student is to figure out a c.ourse of study that actually leads to a degree. This is, perhaps, a fair substitute for the rigorous exami-nations by which British universities measure their students' ability.
The approach outlined above reflects the great value that American universities place on a broad general education. It is intended to ensure that the graduates will be well-informed and cultured citi-zens. It also ensures that an excessive reliance on student preferences and interests do not do any academics out of their jobs. Each department has a carefully staked out share of the student portfolio, which it defends as if its life depended on it. Which, of course, it does.
June
1990'I'J{'F, p
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to Kowloon Park
Steve Kong byAfraid to look down because you are disgusted with your bulging belly? Fed up with work and feel like a dip in a pool of cool water? Need to settle a score with a fellow staff member on the ball court?
If you ever encounter any of the above crises, you may find a solution in nearby Kowloon Park. .
A five-minute walk from our Harbour City offices, the Park offers a variety of activities for everybody, from serious ath -letes to those just seeking a little exercise. All the Park facilities are open to both Hong Kong residents and expatri-ates, from 7 am to 10 pm.
A major attraction in the Park is its air-conditioned Indoor Games Hall. Located in the west wing of the Park's main building, the Hall contains two fitness rooms, a dance studio, three squash courts, locker and shower facilities, a main arena, and a multi-purpose game room, all of which provide space for basketball, badminton, volleyball, handball, indoor football (or soccer to our North American stafi) and table tennis.
Next door to the Games Hall is the Swimming Complex, a veritable paradise for water lovers. There, swimmers can choose from an Olympic-sized indoor pool, a 25-meter train-ing pool, or three outdoor leisure pools. Have trouble maktrain-ing up your mind? Hit them all!
Jogging in Tsim Sha Tsui may sound like a fairy tale, but Kowloon Park does provide a fitness trail for runners. Warn-ing: unless you are a real fanatic, jogging in the summer months can be hazardous to your health!
For those weak of will or in need of supervision, the Park administration sponsors monthly courses in activities such as gym fitness, aerobic dance, ballroom dance, folk dance and yoga. Subsidised by the Urban Council, these courses are available at nominal fees, but only for HK ID card holders.
So next time you get bored of your daily routine, you know where to go for some therapy. One final note: for the sake of your officemates, take a shower before you come back from
the Park. . 7··
News in Brief
Mr Mervyn Cheung, as a representative from Hong Kong, attended a seminar on Adult Education hosted by the Finnish Associa-tion of Adult Educa-tion OrganisaEduca-tions in
