Media

HKU weekly notice (from June 27 to July 4, 2015)

26 Jun 2015

 

HKU St. John’s College to hold conference on “China and Japan, 1895-2015: History of Rivalry, War, Peace and Hostility”     

The College of St. John the Evangelist (St. John’s College), the University of Hong Kong, will hold the Shann Memorial Conference 2015, titled “China and Japan, 1895-2015: History of Rivalry, War, Peace and Hostility”, on June 27, 2015 (Saturday).           

In the past few years, much attention has been paid to Sino-Japanese relation particularly after nation-wide anti-Japan demonstrations broke out in China and the Japanese government declared sovereignty over Diaoyu islands. At one point, the two countries were at the brink of war. In this context, this conference is a timely event to address the controversial issues of Sino-Japanese relations, which from a local Hong Kong perspective.

This conference is aimed to add a new dimension to the history of the Sino-Japanese relation and to review the current situation of Chinese policy on Japan and the Japanese policy on China, and the impact to the overall region of East Asia.

The relationship between East Asia's two giant powers, China and Japan, has always been and will always be crucial for understanding the development of Asia. The relationship has undergone considerable changes since the end of the Second World War but it is often fragmented into different disciplines or knowledge of specific incidents with this background. The relationship between China and Japan is complex and emotional. It contains aspects of rivalry and complementarity. Scholars in both China and Japan, may still have difficulties in approaching the bilateral relationship in a non-prejudiced way. This is why St. John's College to organize a cross-disciplinary international conference about Sino-Japanese relationship.

The topics for discussion include: History of Sino-Japanese War and war tactics; Territorial dispute between China and Japan; conception of history among China, Japan and Korea (including history text-books); Hong Kong-Japan relations in the 1950s Cold War context; Japanese banking in war-time China; how war issue affected the relations between China and Japan and the possibility of reconciliation.    

The speakers are cutting-edge scholars of Sino-Japanese relations or China/Japan comparative studies. The list of participants, they included:

1)           Professor BU Ping, Research Fellow & former Director, Institute of Modern History, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

2)           Dr. HO Kwong Shing, Post-doctoral Fellow, Institute of Modern History, Academia Sinica, Taiwan.

3)           Dr. HE Wenkai, Associate Professor, Division of Social Science, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology.

4)           Professor Makoto KASUYA, Professor of Japanese Economic History, Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo.

5)           Dr. KWONG Chi Man, Assistant Professor, Department of History, Hong Kong Baptist University.

6)           Dr. LEE Pui Tak, Honorary Associate Professor, Department of Japanese Studies, University of Hong Kong.

7)           Professor LIN Man-houng, Research Fellow, Institute of Modern History, Academia Sinica, Taiwan.

8)           Dr. David MACRI, Senior Fellow of St. John’s College, University of Hong Kong.

9)           Professor MURATA Yujiro, Director, Department of Area Studies, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, University of Tokyo.

10)         Professor Hans van de VEN, Professor in Modern Chinese Studies; Fellow of St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge University.

11)         Dr. Daqing YANG, Associate Professor of History & International Affairs; Director, Asian Studies Program, George Washington University.

Details of the conference:

Date: June 27, 2015 (Saturday)

Time: 9:00-18:30

Venue: Theatre A (CBA), Chow Yei Ching Bldg., University of Hong Kong (MTR

HKU Station, Exit A1, turn right, 2 minutes’ walk)

Please click here for the detailed programme.

Inquiry: Miss Li, St. John’s College, tel: 28177102

 The Stephen Hui Geological Museum to display China mammal fossils in Mineral & Gem Asia Show for the first time

The first large scale international Mineral & Gem Asia Show in Hong Kong will be held at the AsiaWorldExpo from June 27 to 30, 2015 (tomorrow till next Tuesday). During the 4-day Expo, the Stephen Hui Geological Museum at the University of Hong Kong will provide a preview on highlights of new acquisitions of precious fossils generously donated by two enthusiastic collectors.

China mammal fossils, including a complete skull of a Chilotherium Wimani, a middle-sized rhinoceros, in a matrix of red mudstone, and a skull of a Hipparion coelophyes, an extinct genus of an ancient three-toed horse that lived in the grass plains of the Linxia Basin during the Late Miocene ca. 11 to 5 million years ago will be showcased. The Linxia Basin, located north of the Tibetean Plateau, was an ancient mammal paradise in North China. It is filled with 700m to 2000m thick late Cenozoic fluvial and lacustrine sediments containing abundant fossils of large mammals which thrived there under a warm climate of a steppe environment ca. 11 to 5 million years ago.

Hong Kong plant fossils donated by local fossil collectors will also be showcased in the Mineral & Gem Asia Show. They comprise rare and well preserved Permian invertebrate fossils and Jurassic and Tertiary plant fossils from various locations in Hong Kong, including Pinopsida, a ca. 2 cm large fossilized cone of pine from Tertiary rocks of Dong Ping Chau, and Ptilophyllum sp., a well preserved Jurassic plant fossil from Lantau Island. All of these will be on public display for the very first time.

For details of the exhibition, please visit http://www.mineralandgem.com/en-us/Fair-Info/Local-Supporting-Organisation

 “Reading Battle” Experience Sharing Seminar cum Award Ceremony Enhance Reading Ability at ease with gamification

Funded by the Quality Education Fund since 2013, the project “Reading Battle” aims to strengthen reading comprehension ability of primary school students through engaging them in an interactive e-quiz cloud service, Reading Battle, as post-reading activities.

Reading comprehension questions on a collection of quality children’s literature were developed with scaffolding support on Reading Battle. After reading the respective children’s literature, students can self-check if they have successfully grasped the meaning of the literature through attempting “Reading Battle”. Teachers can have a better understanding of their students’ reading habit and progress. Reading Battle is accessible via web browsers, on PCs, iOS or Android.

Reading Battle has proven to be very successful in motivating students to read and to enhance their reading ability. Up to now, over 20 primary schools in Hong Kong and Taiwan have joined this scheme. Members of the media are invited to come to this Experience Sharing Seminar cum Award Ceremony, in which Professor SK Tse will share with us his expertise on Chinese reading comprehension. Details and programme are as below:

Date: June 30, 2015 (Tuesday)

Time: 2:30 to 4:30 pm

Venue: Rayson Huang Theatre, The University of Hong Kong

Language:  Cantonese

Website:  http://battle.cite.hku.hk

For media enquiries, please contact Ms Rachel Li, Senior Manager (Development and Communications) (Tel.: 2219 4270 / E-mail: lirachel@hku.hk); or Ms Wendy Wu (Tel: 2219 4314 / E-mail: wendywu@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 is held from 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.umag.hku.hk/en/

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.

Period: 25 April – 26 July 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).