Bulletin Summer 1988

Theoretical Physics, the Physical Society of Japan, the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre, and the World Scientific Publishing Company. Regional workshop on Biotechnology in the Utilization of Solid wastes The Regional Workshop on Biotechnology in the Utilization of Solid Wastes was held at the University from 26th to 30th July. The five-day workshop was jointly organized by the department of biolog y and the UNESCO. Professor Baysung Hsu, the acting vice- chancellor of the University, officiated at the opening ceremony. Mr. Robert Law, acting director of the environmental protection department of the government, delivered a special message on the occasion. Professor Shu-ting Chang, chairman of the department of biology and director of the workshop, gave the keynote lecture on 'Microbia l Biotechnology in the Utilization o f Solid Wastes'. The workshop aimed t o provide information on the principles and techniques involved in the biotechnology of the utilization of solid wastes. Speakers were mainly academics from the United States, China, Japan, Malaysia, Switzerland and Hong Kong. Other participants came from New Zealand, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. They exchanged research experience and investigated possibilities of future collaboration on subjects of mutual interest. The participants also attended th e Eighth International Conference of Global Impacts of Applied Microbiology and International Conference on Applied Biology and Biotechnology held after the workshop from 1st to 5th August under the auspices of the department of biology. International Conferences on Biotechnology and Applied Biology In commemoration o f the 25th anniversary of the University, the biology department and th e International Cell Research Organization (ICRO) Panel on Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology jointl y organized a five-day international conference o n biotechnolog and other fields o f applied biology from 1st to 5th August. This conference combines the Eighth International Conference on Global Impacts of Applied Microbiology (GIAM VIII) and the International Conference on Applied Biology and Biotechnology (INCABB). It also commemorates the 25th anniversary o f the GIAM Conferences. The conference was sponsored by many international agencies and institutions and philanthropist, including the Australian International Development and Assistance Bureau (AIDAB), Committee on Science and Technology in Developing Countries (COSTED), Commonwealth Science Council, The International Geosphere Biosphere Programme (IGBP), International Union of Microbiologica l Societies (lUMS), United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP ) and Mr. John M. Kew (Australia). A number of local agencies and institutions and philanthropist also share the vision in the potential benefit of biotechnology for Hong Kong and have contributed financially to the conference: they are Beckman Instruments (Hong Kong) Ltd., Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre, The British Council, The Croucher Foundation, The Hang Seng Bank Ltd., Hong Kong Pei Hua Education Foundation (HKRCBE), Hong Kong Society of Microbiology, Hong Kong Yakult Co. Ltd., Pharmacia-LKB (Hong Kong) Ltd., Regional Council and Mr. F.S. Lin. The Opening Ceremony was held in Sir Run Run Shaw Hall on campus in the morning of 1st August. Dr. the Hon. Sir Quo-wei Lee, the chairman of the Education Commission and of the University Council, and Professor Baysung Hsu, acting vice- chancellor, officiated at the ceremony. Sir Quo-wei disclosed in his opening address that the Government has pledged major commitments in promoting science and technology in Hong Kong in the coming years. He also reported on the development, on our campus, the first research institute of biotechnology in Hong Kong and the appointment of the first chair of biotechnology this summer. Professor Arnold L. Demain of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, and Professor Bruce W. Holloway of Monash University, Australia, delivered the two keynote speeches on 'Genetics and applied microbiology — the future is now' and ‘The future of biotechnology: cooperation and competition', respectively. All other conference sessions were held in Shatin Town Hall. Major areas discussed included microbial biotechnology, marine bioresources and biotechnology, impact of biotechnology in crop 11