Newsletter No. 201

2 No. 201 19th April 2002 CUHK Newsletter Support for Nine Research Projects T he following nine research projects undertaken by staff members of the university have attracted funding support from different quarters: • Development of Genomic Strategies for the Non- invasive Detection of Down Syndrome (HK$4,598,000) Sponsor. Innovation and Technology Fund Principal investigator. Prof. Dennies Lo Yuk-ming (Department of Chemical Pathology) Co-investigators: Prof. Rossa Chin Wai-kwun, Prof. Lau Tze-kin • Effectiveness of Mutual Support and Psychoeducational Group Interventions for Family Caregivers of Patients with Schizophrenia (HK$652,936) Sponsor. Health Care and Promotion Fund Principal investigator: Prof. Chien Wai-tong (Nethersole School of Nursing) • An IT and Economic Study on the Future of Hong Kong Air Cargo Industry: Long-term Impact of WTO Accession and Direct Links (HK$870,000) Sponsor: Innovation and Technology Fund Principal investigator: Prof. Waiman Cheung (Department of Decision Sciences and Managerial Economics) Co-investigators: Zhang Anming, Chu Sung-chi, Y.V. Hui, and Prof. Lawrence Leung • Genomic Study of Viral Hepatitis B to Predict Development of Cancer and Response to Therapy (HK$4,436,000) Sponsor. Innovation and Technology Fund Principal investigator. Prof. Joseph Sung (Department of Medicine and Therapeutics) Co-investigators: Henry L.Y. Chan, Prof. Tony Mok, Prof. Philip Johnson, Nancy W.Y. Leung, Prof. Stephen Tsui, Prof. Mary Waye, Prof. K.S. Leung, Prof. K.H. Lee, Ann Pheng, Steve Lorcarini, and Angeline Bartholomeusz • Technology and Materials Innovations in Using Electrically Luminous Plastics in the Display Industry (HK$3,966,120) Sponsor: Innovation and Technology Fund and Varitronix Ltd. Principal investigator: Prof. Wong King-young (Department of Physics) Co-investigators: Prof. H.F. Chow, Prof. LB. Xu, Prof. Leo Lau, Prof. S.P. Wong, Prof. S.K. Hark, and Prof. H.C. Ong • Development of Technologies on Networked Smart Toys (HK$3,000,000) Sponsor. Innovation and Technology Fund Principal investigator: Prof. Xu Yangsheng (Department of Automation and Computer-aided Engineering) Co-investigators: Dr. Zhang Ping, Lee Ka-keung, and Law Kwok-ho • Biotechnological Improvement of a Microbial Cultivar and Evidence-based Diversification of Microbial Products (HK$3,190,000) Sponsor: Innovation and Technology Fund and Peninsular Innovations Ltd. Principal investigator: Prof. Ch iu S i u -wai (Department of Biology) Co-investigator: Prof. T.B. Ng • Research Development of the Understanding the Adolescent Project (Primary) (HK$2,659,950) Sponsor. Education Department Principal investigator. Dr. Joseph Lau (Centre for Clinical Trials and Epidemiological Research) • Evaluation of the Primary Preventive Programmes of the Understanding the Adolescent Project in Secondary School (HK$525,895) Sponsor. Social Welfare Department Principal investigator: Dr. Joseph Lau (Centre for Clinical Trials and Epidemiological Research) Two HKIAPS Surveys on Hong Kong and the China Factor Perceived Legitimacy and Ability of HKSAR Government A territory-wide public opinion survey on Hong Kong people's views of the political linkage and interaction between Hong Kong and mainland China under the 'One Country, Two Systems' was conducted by the Hong Kong Institute ofAsia-Pacific Studies in mid-March 2002. A random sample of 1,002 respondents aged 18 or above were interviewed by telephone. The findings of the survey show that the Chief Executive is not considered a good representative of Hong Kong interest. He is regarded by over 60 per cent of the respondents as an official sent by the Chinese central government to govern Hong Kong. Most respondents support full democracy in the territory, as typified by a one-man-one-vote direct election of the Chief Executive by 2007. However, they are not optimistic that democracy will be realized in the near future. Over half of the respondents are satisfied with China's Hong Kong policies though many are not hopeful about Hong Kong's ab i l i ty to influence these policies. The HKSAR government enjoys the highest level of trust among Hong Kong people, compared to the governments of Macau and mainland China, yet it receives the lowest rating among the three when it comes to ability and overall performance. The results of the survey highlight two major problems faced by the HKSAR government with regard to Sino-Hong Kong political linkage and interaction: the lack of success of the government in es t ab l i sh i ng i t s e lf as a true representative of the interest of Hong Kong, and its less than satisfactory performance in the eyes of its people. Willingness to Work or Study on the Mainland Another telephone survey was conducted from 27th February to 4th March 2002 on a sample of 1,022 Hong Kong people aged 15 to 54, on their willingness to work in mainland China and their educational demands. The findings of the survey show that Hong Kong education is perceived to have certain advantages that make Hong Kong people competitive when working on the mainland. These include English language proficiency, professional knowledge, international vision and exposure, information technology proficiency, and creativity. Over 80 per cent o f the respondents who have worked or intend to work on the mainland indicate that they would undertake training or further study for their work now or in the future, in areas including putonghua, i ndus t r y - spec i f ic professional knowledge, Chinese law and systems, and English. On future Hong Kong education policies, over 85 per cent of the r esponden ts agree that the government should subsidize local students to study abroad, while 60 per cent believe that the duration of university education should be changed from three years to four. Close to 60 per cent are of the view that associate degree programmes should be expanded. The study shows that Hong Kong people are placing greater emphasis on education as a potential asset and believe that society should provide more and better educational opportunities for them. Study Calls for Holistic, School-bas to Student Health A large-scale survey conducted by the University's Centre of Health Education and Promotion reveals that many among the younger generation are emotionally disturbed and that a good school env i r onment is conducive to adolescent health. Conducted in late 2001 on 1,906 primary school students and 5,286 secondary school students aged 10 to 16 from 34 schools, this study on youth risk behaviours examined self- rated academic performance, health status, life satisfaction and depressive symptoms, and the correlation of these factors with health risk behaviours, such as physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, smoking, alcohol drinking, and drug-taking. The resultant median Life Satisfaction Score is 19 on a scale of 5 to 30, with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction. Close to 70 per cent of the respondents who do not exercise regularly report having depressive symptoms, and a quarter of this group have hurt themselves or considered suicide as compared with less than 10 per cent among those without depressive symptoms. Those with symptoms are also more likely to have unhealthy eating habits, to smoke, drink alcohol, or take drugs. Some 55 per cent of students who rated their academic performance as poor have depressive symptoms, compared to 23 per cent of those who rated theirs as distinctive. Schools with lower depression scores are found to have a more supportive social environment, school ethos promoting close relationship between teachers and students, and follow-up plans for unforeseeable events. These schools also reward students for academic improvement and participation in community services, and attempt to create a p o s i t i ve c l i ma te f or y o u th development. The study indicates that the elimination of health risk behaviours would improve the overall physical and emotional well-being of students. It also shows that, given the increasing prevalence of emotional problems and health risk behaviours among local students, an integrated, holistic, and school-based approach to youth health is needed. (From left) Prof. Chau Hau-fung and Prof. Albert Lee explaining findings of the survey in a press conference Chung Chi's Golden Jubilee Concert A lumni, staff, students, and friends of Chung Chi College attended the College's Golden Jubilee Concert on 25th March at the Concert Hall of the Hong Kong City Hall. The event attracted an audience of over 1,000. The concert featured performances by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, the Chung Chi College Choir, the Chinese Music Virtuosi, and soloists. Both Chinese and Western music was played on that evening.