Bulletin Spring 1976

15 In 1975, the Trustees of Lingnan University also made a grant of US$15,000 to LIBA for the purchase of video recording and playback equipment and other visual aids, which will enable LIBA to develop student skills in conducting interviews, participating in conferences, and making oral presentations-communication skills essential for good managers. LIBA Faculty and Students There were 156 applicants for admission to LIBA for the academic year 1975/76, of which 29 were selected. When the Institute was started in 1966, there were five students only. LIBA has six full-time faculty members. Two undergraduate Business Administration faculty members and two guest teachers from the local business community have been invited to conduct courses at the Institute. In order to provide for the sustained growth of LIBA, it will be necessary to recruit more regular teaching staff. Faculty Research Besides teaching, administrative work, thesis supervision, and business community contacts, LIBA's faculty members have been active in applied research and case development. Among the major research projects undertaken in 1975/76 are: "A Study of the Industrial Structure in Hong Kong" (By Professor H. Sutu.) "Essential Qualities of An Effective Ma n a g e r" (By Dr. J o hn L. Espy.) “Food Retailing—Hong Kong Style" (By Dr. Charles F. Steilen.) "A Perspective of the Hong Kong Market Environment" (By Dr. Charles F. Steilen.) "A Survey of the Growth and Forecast of the Future Computer Hardware Market in Hong Kong" (By Dr. Bernard Bennington.) "A Digital Gaming Model for Teaching Project Ma n a g eme n t" (By Dr. Bernard Bennington.) "Managerial Economics" (An intermediate- level textbook with problems and cases. By Mr. Lamp Li.) Several faculty members have written a number of cases in the areas of marketing, finance, planning and control, and business policy. These cases are used for teaching purposes at LIBA and in other graduate schools of business. Articles of the faculty members are published in local and overseas journals. Service to Community In the year 1975/76, LIBA's faculty members have continued to offer their services to the Hong Kong community. These include: • Consultancy service for the Hong Kong Government and big commercial firms. • Seminars on management information systems, system translocation, project management, marketing research and industrial marketing techniques for senior government officials and members of professional societies. • Six two-day administrative development seminars for senior officials from various government departments conducted at the invitation of the Government Training Division of the Colonial Secretariat. • Advisory service to the Hong Kong Polytechnic on matters of business studies. • Help to improve the services of the Chinese University Computer Services Terminal (CUCST) to meet the requirements of the University community Strengthening Working Relationships with Business Community LIBA gave high priority to the cultivation of close relations with a wide spectrum of reputable business organizations in Hong Kong in order to keep abreast of their needs and problems, to improve LIBA's programme of studies, and to help place LIBA's graduates. Much of the faculty's time and effort have been spent in calling on local businessmen and in participating in the activities of professional and business organizations. LIBA also invites reputable business executives to the campus to discuss matters of common interest or to give public lectures (an average of 15 each year). LIBA has working relationships with about 40 of Hong Kong's most prominent companies and definite contacts with 50 or so others. A Three-year Part-time M.B.A. Programme Representatives of many local firms have expressed a need for a programme that enables their most promising young managers to receive formal training in management at the graduate level. Part- time M.B.A. programmes fill a real need in the U.S.A. and Canada, and a well-designed M.B.A. p r og r amme would undoubtedly be a significant contribution to Hong Kong. LIBA is planning to introduce such a programme, consistent with the Institute's policy of striving to meet the needs of the community.