Media

HKU and Beijing Normal University sign Memorandum of Collaboration in Sichuan to launch Catastrophe Management Initiative

27 Jul 2008

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the Beijing Normal University (BNU) officially signed a Memorandum of Collaboration today (July 27) in Chengdu, Sichuan, to launch a pioneering partnership in a large-scale Catastrophe Management Initiative (CMI) in response to the Sichuan Earthquake.

Professor Chow Shew Ping, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of HKU, and Professor Han Zhen, Vice-President of BNU, represented both universities at the signing ceremony. Also attending the ceremony were: Ms Liu Chuansheng, Chairperson of the University Council, BNU; Mr Shan Chunchang, State Councillor cum Deputy Director, Expert Committee of the National Disaster Reduction Commission; Ms Huang Yanrong, Vice Governor of Sichuan Provincial People's Government; head officials of the six earthquake-affected areas; and head officials of various government departments.

Professor Chow said the presence of high-ranking officials at the provincial and State Council levels was testimony to the Mainland authorities' support of the new endeavour by the two universities.

By synergising the strengths of the two universities, the CMI 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. (For some of the examples, please refer to the list below)

Prior to the ceremony, the HKU delegation visited some of the quake-affected areas, and met relief workers and affected people. Professor Chow said the experience further reinforced his team's belief of the importance in building knowledge-based catastrophe management. 

For enquiries please contact Manager (Media) Ms Denise Wong (Tel: 2859 2600 / E-mail: denise.wong@hku.hk)

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.

Professor Chow Shew Ping, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of HKU (right), and Professor Han Zhen, Vice-President of BNU, represented both universities to sign a Memorandum of Collaboration in Chengdu, Sichuan, to launch the large-scale Catastrophe Management Initiative.	Honourable guests unveiled the plaque of the Catastrophe Management Initiative. From left are: Mr Shan Chunchang (State Councillor cum Deputy Director, Expert Committee of the National Disaster Reduction Commission), Ms Liu Chuansheng (Chairperson of the University Council, BNU), Professor Han Zhen (Vice-President of BNU), Professor Chow Shew Ping (Pro-Vice-Chancellor of HKU), and Ms Huang Yanrong (Vice Governor of Sichuan Provincial People's Government).
Professor Chow Shew Ping, HKU Prof-Vice-Chancellor, visited one of the most severely-hit areas -- Qushan Town in Beichuan County. About two-third of the buildings of the town had collapsed.	Professor Chow Shew Ping, HKU Prof-Vice-Chancellor visited the transient housing in Huangtu for earthquake-affected people. Ten-year-old Xia Hailin was busy with her English homework.
Qushan Town in Beichuan County, one of the most severely-hit areas, has two-third of its buildings collapsed.	Qushan Town in Beichuan County, one of the most severely-hit areas, has two-third of its buildings collapsed.