Liu Yichang and modernism

Renowned novelist Prof. Liu Yichang came to the University on 19 November 2009 to accept his appointment as Honorary Professor of the Bachelor of Arts (Hons) programme in Creative Writing and Film Arts (BAHCWFA) and share his writing experience at a seminar. School of Arts and Social Sciences Dean Prof. Tam Kwok-kan officiated at the appointment ceremony and notable writer Prof. Leung Ping-kwan hosted the seminar attended by 270 participants.

Prof. Liu moved from Shanghai to Hong Kong in 1948 and earned his living by writing commercial novels for newspapers. Not until 1962 did he publish his first serious piece of work The Drinker which is known as the first Chinese stream-of-consciousness novel. ‘Although a creative novel is not necessarily a good novel, a good novel must be creative,’ he said.

The 91-year-old novelist and editor has helped nurture many local writers in the past few decades, with a profound impact on the literary development and film industry in Hong Kong. Eminent film director Wong Kar-wai drew inspiration from Prof. Liu’s works Intersection and The Drinker for his award-winning films In the Mood for Love and 2046 respectively.

In addition, an international conference on ‘Liu Yichang and Modernism’ was held at the OUHK on 18 November. Jointly organized by the OUHK and the Centre for Humanity Research of Lingnan University, it was attended by dozens of scholars from Hong Kong, mainland China and Japan. At the close of the two-day event, the School presented Prof. Liu a sketch drawing by a Year 2 student of the BAHCWFA programme of Nathan Road in the 60s as depicted in Intersection.

Talk on quality Chinese language teachers

Renowned author Prof. Lo Wai-luen gave a public lecture on quality Chinese language teachers on 4 December 2009 at the OUHK. The widely respected author and teacher believed that a good language teacher should devote themselves to promoting Chinese culture in addition to enhancing the language competency of students. They should teach students with their heart and try to understand the views of and language used by young people so as to get closer to them. She advised teachers not to rely too much on the computer in class and to communicate with students using more body language and eye contact.

International Conference on the Preventation and Management of Harmful Algal Bloom in the South China Sea

The South China Sea has been plagued by harmful algal blooms or red tide for years. An international conference to identify state-of-the-art technologies and management strategies for minimizing their impact was held from 30 November to 3 December 2009 in the Shek Kong Centre of the Kadoorie Research Institute of the University of Hong Kong. Some 60 professionals and academics attended the various sessions of the conference and exchanged information on the formation mechanisms, early-warning systems and prevention of red tide. On 1 December President Prof. John C Y Leong officiated at the opening ceremony of the conference, which was co-organized by the OUHK’s School of Science and Technology, the Association on Harmful Algal Blooms in South China Sea, the Kadoorie Research Institute and Jinan University in mainland China.

Hong Kong Innovative E-Learning Tool Design Competition 2009

The School of Science and Technology and Centre for Innovation (CFI) jointly organized the Hong Kong Innovative E-Learning Tool Design Competition from October 2008 to July 2009 to raise awareness of e-Learning and advocate the innovative use of new technologies in teaching and learning in secondary schools. St. Stephen’s Girls’ College, which used the social community website Facebook as a reference to create a flash game for learning Chinese idioms, was selected the champion. Students of the College were presented with an award at the ‘demo fest’ on 27 November 2009, during which learning tools designed by CFI were also demonstrated.

2009 Academy of International Business Southeast Asia Regional Conference

Co-organized by the OUHK’s Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration and the Hong Kong Institute of Business Studies of Lingnan University, the 2009 Academy of International Business (AIB) Southeast Asia Regional Conference was held on 3–5 December with the theme ‘Revitalizing the Global Economy: Challenges and Strategies for Sustainable Growth’ in the Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel. The conference covered a wide range of topics from international marketing strategies and risk management to national consumer behaviour and corporate social responsibility. The afternoon session of 3 December was held on the OUHK campus, where Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Managing Director Mr Andrew Kam gave a keynote speech on ’Ensuring the Success of Hong Kong Tourism’ to more than 150 participants.

Fervent support from Lifelong Learning Ambassadors

The OUHK’s Public Affairs Unit recruited about 100 students in late 2008 as Lifelong Learning Ambassadors to help prepare various 20th Anniversary celebration events and activities. Following the successful conclusion of the Celebration programme, a tea gathering was held on 2 February this year, during which certificates of appreciation were presented to the ambassadors by Head of Public Affairs Ms Jacqueline Cheng. Many ambassadors said they had benefited a lot from the scheme, which had enhanced their organization, communication and writing skills as well as boosted their confidence. The ‘Lifelong Learning Ambassador Scheme’ was launched in 2004 to encourage OUHK students, staff and alumni to serve the university and the community and promote lifelong learning.