The Chinese University Communication Visiting Scholar Programme 2009

The Chinese University Communication Visiting Scholar Programme 2009

New Media Events Workshop: Networking, civil society and power Relationships in today's media

Introduction
School of Journalism and Communication of The Chinese University of Hong Kong organizes the CU Visiting Scholar Program annually starting from 2008. "New Media Events Workshop: Networking, civil society and power Relationships in today's media" was the research theme for the 2008 CU Communication Visiting Scholar Programme.

Objective
To promote academic exchange and links among Chinese-speaking scholars in Cultural China, 
To improve the quality of research of the Chinese research community, 
To promote the School as the center of Chinese communication research.

Schedule
(1) The visiting scholars stayed ong Kong for up to one month from 5 January 2009 to carry out intensive academic exchange and research.
(2) Workshop on New Media Events Workshop: Networking, civil society and power Relationships in today’s media was held on 9-10 January 2009.

Workshop Details
Theme: New Media Events Workshop: Networking, civil society and power Relationships in today’s media
Date: 9-10 January 2009
Venue: Rm208, Humanities Building, New Asia College, CUHK
Medium: Mandarin
Content: Eleven visiting scholars, with nice came from Mainland China, two from Taiwan and one from USA, presented their research on new media. Representatives from RTHK’s Training & Development unit and New Media Unit and Six Mainland students of Prof. Bu Wei and one student of Prof. Ai Xiao Ming also attended the Workshop. The Workshop was highly satisfactory. The research theme struck a chord among scholars in the area. The participants also found the Workshop intellectually stimulating.

Participants

Formal Activities
(1) Collaboration with Monday.COME
Documentary features by Prof. Ai Xiao Ming: Grassroot Images from Sichuan Earthquake
The Organizing Committee collaborated with the Monday.COME, a biweekly lunch gathering held by the School on Mondays, to feature a documentary on Sichuan Earthquake. The Organizing Committee invited one of the visiting scholars, Prof. Ai Xiao Ming (a famous documentarian in Mainland China) to show her documentary and gave a talk on the topic “Grassroot Images from Sichuan Earthquake”. The event was held on 12 January.

(2) Seminars of Prof. Liu Yuli, Prof. Yang Boxu and Prof. Kuo Liangwen
The participants were invited to attended seminars of visiting scholars of the Academic Exchange Program. The visiting scholars were Prof. Liu Yuli from National Chengchi University, Taiwan, Prof. Yang Boxu from Peking University, China and Prof. Kuo Liangwen from Hsuan Chung University, Taiwan. On 12 January, Prof. Liu Yuli gave a talk on Regulations and Media Platforms: The Cases of China and Taiwan (政策法規對新媒體平台發展的影響：以大陸及台灣為例) and Prof. Yang Boxu shared his research findings on BBS and Ideology in the Chinese Internet (大陸互聯網的BBS與意識形態（政治派別）. On 14 January, Prof. Kuo Liangwen held a seminar to share his research on Taiwan Lanyu Island. (參與式傳播與民族誌之反思--以台灣蘭嶼原住民媒體資料庫之建置為例) The seminars stimulated discussion and the NME visiting scholars found them rewarding and stimulating.

(3) Sai Kung Hiking
Apart from extensive academic activities, the visiting scholars were invited to join a pleasure jaunt. Prof. Eric Ma, the Organizing Committee and the School’s research students led the group to hike from Sai Wan (西灣) to Chek Keng (赤徑) on 18 January. The visiting scholars were amazed by the spectacular view of the High Island Reservoir, the unique geo-diversity of Sai Kung landscape and grandeur coastal terrains along the way. The interactions among scholars, students and the Organizing Committee were further strengthened.

(4) Nostalgic Wan Chai Tour and Farewell Dinner
Prof. Donna Chu organized a Wan Chai cultural tour cum farewell dinner for the visiting scholars. Prof. Clement So, Prof. Joseph Chan, Prof. Jack Qiu, Prof. Eric Ma and Dr. Grace Leung also participated in the event. The visiting scholars were impressed by the trip and complimented that Wan Chai was one of the most historic and colorful districts in Hong Kong. The tour served as a platform for the visitor to view Hong Kong from a unique blend of the old and the new cultural perspective.

(5) Exchange Sessions
The visiting scholars used Room 315B&C as their working area and a venue for exchange during their stay. Computers, telephones and a printer were installed for them. The visiting scholars also had free accounts to access wireless internet service of the University. Massive academic exchange was carried out among the visiting scholars themselves. Prof. Jack Qiu, Prof. Joseph Chan, Prof. Donna Chu and Dr. Grace leung conducted a group session to provide further feedbacks on the papers of the Workshop participants.

Media Coverage
The Ming Pao reporter wrote a feature article about the Workshop on 23 January. It was published on D6 page, Century column. The central theme of the article was Rumors in Today’s Media. Prof. Zhou Yuqiong, Prof. Hu Yong and Prof. Ai Xiao Ming’s research findings were quoted in the article.

Workshop Committee
Prof. Jack Linchuan Qiu (Workshop Coordinator)
Prof. Joseph M. Chan
Prof. Donna S.C. Chu
Dr. Grace L.K. Leung

Programme Committee
Prof. Joseph M. Chan (Convener)
Prof. Eric K.W. Ma
Prof. Anthony Y.H. Fung
Prof. Jack Linchuan Qiu