Media

HKU and Beijing Normal University collaborate in pioneering Catastrophe Management Initiative

17 Jul 2008

(From left) Professor Cecilia Chan (Si Yuan Professor in Health and Social Work / Director, Centre on Behavioral Health, HKU); Professor Chow Shew Ping (Pro-Vice-Chancellor, HKU) and Dr Braven Zhang Qiang (Research Professor, Institute of Social Development and Public Policy, BNU / Secretary-General, Wenchuan Earthquake Taskforce)

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the Beijing Normal University (BNU) today (July 17) jointly announced a pioneering partnership in a large-scale Catastrophe Management Initiative (CMI) in response to the Sichuan Earthquake.

By synergising the strengths of the two universities, the joint Initiative will be the first-of-its-kind and the most comprehensive, holistic and integrated project in Hong Kong and the Mainland that addresses all aspects of catastrophe management, ranging from rehabilitation to reconstruction and redevelopment, at both policy and practice levels.

The two universities expect that the various collaborative endeavours will build up a knowledge base to support policy integration in all functional areas, so that catastrophe mitigation and management on the Mainland and the world in the future would be benefited.

Unveiling details of the Initiative at a press briefing today, Professor Chow Shew Ping, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of HKU, said the foci of the Initiative would be on "research, education, action, capacity building and ultimately knowledge generation."

"HKU members boast a very wide spectrum of expertise across various academic disciplines and professions. Since the Sichuan Earthquake occurred on May 12, many of our colleagues, students and alumni have initiated fundraising activities, and also were engaged in voluntary or professional works at the quake-affected areas."

"While the immediate relief work is still going on, universities, as knowledge hubs, should contribute their expertise not only to the short-term redevelopment of the quake areas, but also the long-term knowledge-based catastrophe management worldwide," said Professor Chow.

Dr Braven Zhang Qiang, Research Professor of Institute of Social Development and Public Policy, BNU, believed that the comprehensive expertise and extensive global connections of both universities would help further mobilise the commitment and resources of local, national and international efforts to help the redevelopment of the quake areas.

Dr Zhang, who is also the Secretary-General of Wenchuan Earthquake Taskforce, said Taskforce members from various backgrounds could provide invaluable first-hand information of their frontline experience for the research efforts of the HKU-BNU Initiative.

Si Yuan Professor in Health and Social Work Cecilia Chan said both universities have already conducted several in-depth roundtable discussions in the past weeks, and some initiatives are already on the drawing board. (Some of the examples listed below)

Professor Chan, who is also the Director of HKU's Centre on Behavioral Health, said, "With the rolling out of the Initiative, and upon the availability of necessary funding, both universities will actively explore collaboration in other areas of mutual interest."

Some Examples of the Projects in the pipeline under Catastrophe Management Initiative (CMI)

• The first Annual Global Dialogue of the Wenchuan Earthquake to be held in Mianyang on November 12 -- To summarize the lessons and experiences of the 6-month rescue, resettlement and reconstruction work, and to identify the key issues in future development.
• Resource Map (GIS System) to link demand and supply -- To address the problems of information asymmetry on local needs and the uneven distribution of resources, a GIS system will help collect, analyze, store and manage the resources to match the demand and local needs.
• Student Services and Training - Students of both universities who are interested in disaster management and community development can take-up research-based internship, exchange programmes, service learning projects, or summer enrolment at the other's campus.
• Pre-school Programme for Children aged 3 to 6 -- There are an estimated 100,000 children, aged 3 to 6, left without nursery and kindergarten education due to the earthquake. The Initiative is to provide special pre-school educational programmes, community child-activity centres and mobile child-service stations for these children.
• Psychosocial Intervention -- To provide psychosocial intervention for amputated children, severely injured individuals and orphans; to provide support to healthcare professionals, teachers, grassroots cadres and disciplinary forces members, especially those who are traumatized in heavily affected areas; to explore the feasibility of conducting a 3-year longitudinal follow-up study on the psychological needs of these groups.
• Health and Mental Health Intervention - To provide support for mental patients and their family members (including those with members suffering from mental illness before and after the earthquake); to explore collaborating with local village clinics in research and service projects, and to strengthen outreach services to vulnerable populations; to provide training projects and support for the professionals in various levels in rural areas.
• Survey on Survivors - To work on a survey of quake survivors to follow up on their life events, life trajectories, and handling of grievances and adversities.
• Establishment of Centres for Rehabilitation, Youth and Elderly - To build new rehabilitation centres, youth centres and elderly homes, in collaboration with Mainland authorities, in the town of Shifang. Service-action research projects can be established through these initiatives, generating valuable data for disaster management and community resettlement.
• Public Awareness Campaign & Support Mobilization - To disseminate research results among policy makers and central government agencies; to build the capacity of government and non-governmental-organisation practitioners; and to proactively work on promoting public awareness and mobilize public support.

For enquiries please contact Senior Manager (Media) Ms Cherry Cheung (Tel: 2859 2606 / E-mail: cherry.cheung@hku.hk); or Manager (Media) Ms Denise Wong (Tel: 2859 2600 / E-mail: denise.wong@hku.hk)