Calendar 2005–06

130 Part 3 • Research Units and University Extensions The centre was established in 2004 following the award of a Research Grant Council Central Allocation Grant. Its main objective is to conduct research into circulating foetal DNA and RNA molecules found in the plasma of pregnant women. It is hoped that such research will allow the use of these molecules for safely detecting the genetic and physiological health of an unborn foetus. The centre’s main laboratory is based in the Department of Chemical Pathology at the Prince of Wales Hospital. The centre has extensive collaborative links with researchers in other countries and in local universities. Centre for University and School Partnership (CUSP) Tel.: 2603 7341/7726 Fax.: 2603 7128 E-mail: cusp@fed.cuhk.edu.hk Website: http://www.fed.cuhk.edu.hk/cusp The CUSP was established in 1998. With the support of the Quality Education Fund, it initiated a series of collaborative ventures with the school sector and worked complementarily with the Faculty of Education in strengthening links with local schools and overseas educational institutes. Over the years, the centre has worked closely with more than 300 partner schools on projects to foster quality education in Hong Kong. The CUSP development team helps to analyse the situations of schools and design strategies for their improvement. The centre has been commissioned by the Education and Manpower Bureau of the HKSAR to provide professional support to 200 schools through a Partnership for Improvement of Learning Teaching (PILT) Project from 2004 to 2009. The project aims at supporting teachers of Hong Kong with quality curriculum planning and effective teaching strategies. The CUSP organizes a series of gifted programmes such as leadership development programmes and in-services courses on school self-evaluation. It also carries out research studies on school effectiveness. Centre of Research and Promotion of Women’s Health (CRPWH) Tel.: 2252 8839 Fax.: 2645 3276 E-mail: crpwh@cuhk.edu.hk Website: http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/crpwh The CRPWH was established in 2001 under the School of Public Health. It aims at improving women’s health throughout their lifespan by conducting research programmes of local relevance. The centre also offers a wide range of evidence- based health assessments and nutritional counselling services for women with the aim of enabling them to better understand of their own health and adopt earlier preventive measures and treatments. The centre liaises with different communities and organizations to provide health talks and basic health examinations. The CRPWH and the Hong Kong Federation of Women Joint Resource Centre has acquired a variety of books related to women’s health which serve as references for health professionals and