Media

HKU weekly notice (from June 20 to 27, 2015)

19 Jun 2015

 

HKU Baby Scientist Program
Parent talk to reveal “What goes wrong early in Autism Spectrum Disorders?”
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) Baby Scientist Program will hold a parent talk on Autism Spectrum Disorders atypical behaviors during infancy. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are developmental disorders characterized by differences in a variety of social, communicative, and emotional behaviors, which occur in 1% of the population. The speaker, Professor Karen Dobkins from University of California, San Diego, is a world-renown developmental psychologist. Her research tracked  development in the “High-Risk” infants from ages 3 months to 5 years to look for atypicalities that may be early signs of risk for ASD.

“High-Risk” infants are the infant siblings of children with ASD because these infants have a significantly increased risk (i.e., 10- to 20-fold) for developing ASD than other infants.  Although ASD cannot be accurately diagnosed in infants smaller than two or three years old, Professor Karen Dobkins will present the atypical behaviors of High-ASD-Risk infants from a variety of aspects: visual, cognitive, language, social abilities and even gastrointestinal dysfunctions, which can be seen in the course of maturity. The results will provide insight into the etiology of ASD, as well as lead to innovative treatments.

Details of the parent talk:
Date:           June 21, 2015 (Sunday)

Time:          10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Location:    HKU Centennial Campus Central Podium LG -61
Medium:     English
Free admission

Registration required at https://goo.gl/jh0P66
Registration deadline: June 16, 2015 (Tuesday)

Space is limited and the priority will be given to the caregivers with baby younger than one year old.

For more information about the program, please visit:
http://www.psychology.hku.hk/pall/bbintroduction.html
https://www.facebook.com/HKUbb

Enquiries:
Email: hku.pal@gmail.com
Tel: Dr. Lamei Wang at 52256630.

HKU Faculty of Education Distinguished Lecture
President of the Australian Human Rights Commission to speak on “Freedom of Speech and the Asia Pacific: Does Charlie Hebdo Go Too Far?”
Freedom of speech is a fundamental right that underpins a successful democracy. But it is not an absolute right. It must be balanced with other freedoms in society. This address considers the reasons for protecting satirical publications such as Charlie Hebdo, while, at the same time, enacting laws that prohibit ‘hate’ or racist speech that ‘offends and insults’ or leads to physical violence and conflict.

Nations within the Asian region have adopted significantly differing approaches to the protection of freedom of speech. Additionally, and unlike other parts of the world, there is no regional Charter or Bill of Rights to which nations have adhered and no regional court or commission to provide jurisprudence on fundamental freedoms. The practices of Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong and Australia are examined by reference to the agreed international protections for freedom of speech. It is concluded that states of the Asian region typically recognize freedom of speech in their constitutions, but permit wide-ranging exceptions under legislation. It is suggested that ASEAN and other institutions, such as CHOGM or the APF on National Human Rights Institutions, might play a leadership role in facilitating a cohesive regional standard to provide more effective freedom of speech in practice.

The speaker Emeritus Professor Gillian Triggs is the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Details are as below:
Date: June 26, 2015 (Friday)
Time: 5:00 pm
Venue: Rayson Huang Theatre, the University of Hong Kong
Language: English

For media enquiries, please contact Ms Rachel Li, Senior Manager (Development and Communications) (Tel.: 2219 4270 / E-mail: lirachel@hku.hk).

HKU Department of Architecture to hold Degree Show 2014-15
The Degree Show is an annual exhibition of architectural thesis projects produced by the Master of Architecture Degree final year students in the Department of Architecture of the University of Hong Kong.  The projects represent the students’ visions of the built-environment, reflecting their concerns with social and cultural environments, and their determination to tackle contemporary issues in Architecture with new approaches.

The exhibition will be held on June 20 to 29, 2015 in the Department of Architecture of the University of Hong Kong on third and sixth floor of Knowles Building from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm (Saturdays and Sundays inclusive).

For enquiries please contact the Department of Architecture at 2859 8992.

HKU’s WAY Project  
“Stories of Aberdeen Fishing Folks” Exhibition to showcase the changing lifestyles and culture of fishing folks         
Aberdeen has the richest history among all locations in the Southern District.  The history of fisheries and fishing communities in Aberdeen are invaluable cultural treasures. The lived experiences of the fishing community in Aberdeen are now showcased in the “Stories of Aberdeen Fishing Folks Exhibition” at the Postgraduate Hub (Rome Café), Graduate House, the University of Hong Kong (HKU).

Details of the Exhibition
Opening hours: 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., Mondays – Saturdays
                              (closed on Sundays and public holidays)
Venue: Postgraduate Hub (Rome Café), Level P3, Graduate House, 3 University Drive, HKU
Enquiries: 2857 8387 / cedars-programmes@hku.hk
Fees: Free admission

Media enquiries
Communications & Public Affairs Office:
Ms Rhea Leung (Tel: 2857 8555 / 9022 7446; Email: rhea.leung@hku.hk)
Ms Julie Chu (Tel: 2859 2437 / 9354 3898; Email: juliechu@hku.hk) or
Centre of Development and Resources for Students:
Ms Carol Yuen (Tel: 2219 4861; Email: carolyky@hku.hk)

UMAG exhibitions
1. The world’s largest collection of “Nestorian Crosses of the Yuan Dynasty”
More than 700 pieces of re-installed Nestorian Crosses will be on view at the University Museum and Art Gallery (UMAG) from June 10, 2015 onwards.

Nestorian bronze crosses were cast in the Ordos region in north-west China (Inner Mongolia) during the Yuan dynasty (1272–1368). They measure between 3 and 8 cm in height, are flat plaque-like ornaments with an outline in high relief and have a loop on the back suggesting that they were used as personal seals and were worn on the body. The loop facilitates a strapping to human clothing or girdles.  The fine motifs of the cast Christian and Buddhist symbols and the rare survival of red-coloured ink deposits in intermittent lower parts of the design, suggested that these seals were used as chops and transferred their individual designs by printing them on other matters. Although all crosses are cast, the Nestorian crosses all seem to be unique and are, in fact, characteristic for their individual designs.

Details of the Exhibitions
Period: June 10, 2015 (Wednesday) onwards
Venue: 1/F Fung Ping Shan Building, UMAG, 90 Bonham Road, Pokfulam
Tel/Email: (852) 2241 5500 (General Enquiry) / museum@hku.hk
Fees: Free Admission

2.  “Sèvres: Porcelain of the Kings” Celebrating extraordinary French Porcelain
The exhibition “Sèvres: Porcelain of the Kings” is held from June 10 to August 16, 2015. Through the exhibition, visitors will discover the extraordinary history of the manufactory and the artistic quality and work methods of its world-famous kilns. An extensive outreach programs such as public guided tours and clay workshops will be offered to bring the visitors closer to one of the world’s most exquisite artistry.

Details of the Exhibitions
Period: June 10, 2015 (Wed) to August 16, 2015 (Sun)
Venue: 1/F T.T. Tsui Building, UMAG, 90 Bonham Road, Pokfulam
Tel/Email: (852) 2241 5500 (General Enquiry) / museum@hku.hk
Fees: Free Admission

3. "Alberto Reguera: Blue Expansive Landscape"
The University Museum and Art Gallery is presenting an exhibition of renowned Spanish artist Alberto Reguera from June 5 to August 23, 2015. The exhibition highlights a borderless space that is woven together by the artist’s paintings, sculptures and installations. Reguera’s work across various media shares a similar visual structure formed through an expansive use of the colour blue. Diverse stylistic elements are then linked to create a single aesthetic and conceptual unit.

Details of the Exhibitions
Period: June 5, 2015 (Friday) to August 23, 2015 (Sunday)
Venue: 1/F & 2/F, Fung Ping Shan Building, University Museum and Art Gallery, the University of Hong Kong, 90 Bonham Road, Pokfulam

UMAG opening hours
09:30 – 18:00 (Mon to Sat)
13:00 – 18:00 (Sun)
Closed on University and Public Holidays

General Enquiry:

Tel: (852) 2241 5500 / Email:  museum@hku.hk
Fees: Free Admission
Website: www.hkumag.hku.hk

HKU Centre for the Humanities and Medicine presents an exhibition on the History of Malaria in Hong Kong
"Fever: The History of Malaria in Hong Kong" encourages multi-sensory engagement with local historical information and artefacts and promotes understanding of the importance of the disease in the development of the territory. Visitors will learn how malaria was eradicated from Hong Kong, as well as the seriousness of the contemporary malaria situation in other regions of the world.

The launch of the exhibition was timed to coincide with World Malaria Day 2015 which aims to raise awareness of malaria as a disease that is preventable and treatable and mobilize action to end the ravages of malaria.

Date: April 25 to July 26, 2015
Time: 10:00am - 5:00pm (Tuesday - Saturday); 1:00pm - 5:00pm (Sunday & Public Holidays); Closed on Mondays
Venue: Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences, No. 2 Caine Lane, Mid-Levels
Further information: http://www.chm.hku.hk/history_of_malaria.html

For media enquiries or individual interview requests, please contact Mr Cyrus Chan, Events Coordinator, Faculty of Arts (tel: 3917 4984 email: cyrusc@hku.hk).