Newsletter No. 173

CUHK ' s Firs t Forma l Danis h L i k T he University signed a letter of intent on academic and cultural exchange with the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) on 16th October, marking the Un i ve r s i t y 's first f o rmal academic linkage with a Danish institution at the university level. The two institutions were represented by Prof. Arthur K.C. Li, vice- chancellor of CUHK, and Prof. Hans Peter Jensen, rector of DTU. The signing paves the way for closer collaboration between the two parties in terms o f faculty and student exchange, and joint research activities. DTU is a technological university operating in a wide array of activities, such as research i n biotechnology, c o m m u n i c a t i o ns t e c h n o l o g y , nanotechnology, and development of technologies for sustainable energy. I t consists of 32 institutes and a number of major independent centres established as j o i n t ventures w i t h companies and research institutes. DTU embraces most engineering disciplines, and trains engineers up to the doctoral level. During his visit to the University, Prof. Jensen also visited the Faculty of Engineering and met w i th staff and graduate students. Prof. Hans Peter Jensen (left) and Prof. Arthur K.C. Li Mentor Programmes Flourish in the Colleges T he months of September and October saw the launch of three different mentor programmes in the University's colleges. • The Un i t ed College Men t o r sh ip Programme, j o i n t ly organized by United College and the United College A l umni Association, was officially launched on 18th September at the Island Shangri-La Hotel. Over 120 guests, including mentors, mentees, alumni, and college staff attended the ceremony. Under the programme, each undergraduate student of the college is paired up with an alumnus of the college for a period of one year, with the aim of helping the students build self-confidence, develop ethical values and c ommun i c a t i on s k i l l s, and increase their knowledge beyond the classroom. There are currently 102 mentors and mentees participating in the programme. The project is made possible by the support of the college's alumni and the generous donation of Mr. Shum Choi-sang, chairman of the College Board of Trustees. • Chung Chi College held a reception on 21st September at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Happy Valley clubhouse to k i c k o f f t h is yea r 's men t or programme. It was attended by almost all of the 200 students and 90 alumni joining the programme this year. First introduced in 1999, Chung Chi's programme aims at widening the Guests and participants of the United College Mentorship Programme horizons of its students, enriching their social experiences, and honing their communication skills by encouraging them to share the experiences of their mentors from various professions. I t is done through a wide range o f activities like concert-going, BBQ, wo r k place v i s i t s, and i n f o rmal dinners. • The inauguration ceremony of the mentor programme o f New Asia College took place on 21st October. The function began with a welcoming speech by Prof. P.C. Leung, head of college, which was followed by words o f encouragement from Mr. Wong Kin-ping, president of the College Alumni Association. Over a hundred mentors and mentees introduced themselves to one another on the occasion. The objective of the programme, like other men t or programmes i n o t her colleges, is to broaden the horizons o f students and enhance their personal growth by allowing them to learn f r om the experience o f college alumni. Prof. P.C. Leung giving a welcoming speech C U HK S t a f f Se l ec ted Outstanding Young Pe r son P r o f. Dennis Lo Yu k -m i ng, associate professor i n the Department of Chemical Pathology, has been selected one o f the Ten Outstanding Young Persons for 2000. The selection is organized by the Hong Kong Junior Chamber to give formal recognition to young persons who excel in professional endeavours and service to the community. The awa rd i s expected t o p r o v i de incentive for p r omi s i ng young persons to seek advancement i n personal achievement as we ll as public services. Prof. Lo has made outstanding contribution in the application of D N A t e c h n o l o gy t o me d i c al diagnosis. He has also been actively involved in the development of new blood tests for common cancers in Asia, in particular nasopharyngeal cancer. The awa r d p r e s e n t a t i on ceremony w i l l be held on 25th No v ember a t the Hong Ko ng Convention and Exhibition Centre.