Newsletter No. 153

Wei Lun Professo r on North American Education Prof. John R. Mallea, president emeritus of Brandon University in Canada, de l i v e r ed a pub l ic lecture en t i t l ed 'Globalization, Trade Liberalization, and Higher Education in North America' on 26th October in his capacity as Wei Lun Visiting Professor to the University. In his lecture, Prof. Mallea described the five dimensions in which globalization and the liberalization of trade have been exerting pressures on higher education in North America: the emerging global economy, the nature and pace of change in information and communications technology, the rapid growth of cross-border research and development partnerships, the trend towards transnationality in the private sector, and intensified competition for highly skilled human resources. Along with trade liberalization, the growing importance of cross-cultural educational cooperation and professional services has resulted in new models and strategies of internationalization in colleges and universities in No r th America. A variety of initiatives are currently being pursued, and systematic assessments of internationalization are being conducted and challenges identified. Prof. John R. Mallea is currently a senior consultant at the Centre for Higher Education Research and Development at the University of Manitoba, JRM & Associates, the African Virtual University of the World Bank, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the Ministry of Education in Mexico. He has also served as the president and vice- chancellor of Brandon University, and an assistant director of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. P r o f . M a l l e a s p e c i a l i z es i n globalization, cultural diversity, and multicultural education. His remarkable achievements have earned him the award of Me r it f r om the Canadian Bureau for International Education, the Distinguished Educator Award from the University of Toronto, the British Council Award, the Canada-Japan Bilateral Senior Exchange Fe l l ows h ip Award, and a Fu l b r i ght Scholarship. Orientation for Sixth Formers 99 A n orientation day was held on 9th October on campus to give sixth-formers a better understanding of the University as well as campus life. There was a record turnout of 18,000 visitors. A ll seven faculties were open to visitors on that day. Detailed information about the 40 odd undergraduate programmes offered by the University, including th new programmes in risk management science and in modem languages and intercultural studies, was also provided. Exhibitions, video shows, and career counselling sessions were held and brochures distributed. And Prof. Kenneth Young, pro-vice- chancellor, gave a talk about the University's latest developments and academic programmes, while alumni and students shared with the visitors their unique university experiences. There were tours to colleges and hostels. The visitors were also introduced to the Un i ve r s i t y 's overseas exchange programmes, computer laboratories, language enhancement activities and facilities, and sport centres. CU Link: The Innovative Smart Card That Does It All T h e Chinese University and Hang Seng Bank have jointly launched CU Link, Asia's first Mondex card that can perform multiple functions using a single microchip on the Multi-application on Smart Card Operation System (MULTOS). Officiating at the launch ceremony on 14th October were Prof. Ambrose King, acting vice-chancellor, and Mr. Vincent Cheng, Hang Seng Bank's vice-chairman and chief executive. With CU Link, close to 19,000 students and staff of the University can enjoy the convenience of using one card to access campus facilities as well as banking and payment services offered by Hang Seng Bank both on and off campus. MULTOS is a high security, multi- application platform for smart cards which allows many different functions to securely reside on one microchip, thus expanding the versatility of smart card functions while reducing administration and distribution costs. The card-holder's data are input into the microchip. This enables the card to function as an identity card. The card also has a stored-value function, which allows cardholders to make purchases at any Mondex outlets ranging from photocopying machines and canteens on campus, to supermarkets and department stores thoughout Hong Kong. Card-holders who wish to utilize the stored-value and ATM functions of the card need to have an account at Hang Seng Bank. Up to three Hong Kong dollar accounts can be linked to the card. Cards w i ll be issued to students and staff members of the University by phases from mid-October. In d u c t i o n f o r De p a r t me n t Ch ai r me n A round 30 department chairmen and directors of studies participated in a four-session induction programme specially designed for them by the Staff Training and Development Unit of the Personnel Office. In the first session held on 11th October, Mrs. Sophie Lau, director of personnel, gave a welcoming speech, which was followed by Prof. Kenneth Young's opening address on behalf of the vice-chancellor, and his introduction of the University's vision, strategic direction, and its expectations of the participants. Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ambrose King then spoke on the inter- relationship between the faculty, department, and college. Profs. Leung Kwok and Lau Chung-ming shared their experience with the participants on managerial and communication skills, while Prof. Richard Ho and Mr. Lee Shu-wing from the Registry explained the roles and duties of a department chairman. In the two sessions that followed on 23rd and 30th October, representatives from the University's administrative units spoke on recruitment procedures, University organization and committee structure, budget planning, and academic linkages. The last session on staff review matters and procedures will be held on 6th November. This is the first ever induction programme for department chairmen organized by the Staff Training and Development Unit since its establishment this summer. Student-led Task Groups for Better Learning E ighteen teachers from different faculties participated in a teaching cells session organized by the Teaching Development Unit on 12th October. Prof. Michael Bond of the Department of Psychology shared with the participants the use of student-led task groups in teaching, something he has been using in place of tutorials as a way of enhancing student learning for the last 25 years at the University. Prof. Bond also discussed the educational philosophy underlying the use of student-led task groups and the technical details of its implementation in the cultural context of CUHK.