Annual Report, 1997 - 1998

Abstract

[evdate 1998-12-15] Annual Report 97-98 Chairman's Foreword President's Report

* Highlights of Noteworthy Accomplishments * Striving for Excellence at a Time of Consolidation * Positioning and Strategic Planning * HKUST and the Local Environment

People

* Students and Alumni * Faculty and Staff * University Senate * Honors and Awards * University Court and Council

Teaching and Learning

Research & Development * Research Funding * Academic Research * Applied Research * R&D Restructuring

Campus Development Finance

* Donations

Calendar of Events

Chairman's Foreword

On 1 July 1997 Hong Kong [Image] re-united with its motherland and entered a new era. This Dr the Hon annual report covers the period Sze-Yuen Chung, from that date to 30 June 1998, GBM, JP corresponding to the first BSc(Eng)(Hons), twelve months of Chinese PhD, DSc(Hon), sovereignty in Hong Kong. LLD(Hon), DEng(Hon), Prior to the unification, Hong DBA(Hon), FEng, Kong had been on its own, aiming HonFIMechE, for self-sufficiency within its HonFHKIE, FIEE, physical confines. It had also CIMgt benefited from turmoils on the Convenor, Mainland. From 1997 on, Hong Executive Kong can only benefit from a Council, HKSAR stable and prosperous China. It Chairman, does not need to be University self-sufficient and its economic Council development need not be confined within its physical boundaries. This basic change, bringing with it new opportunities and challenges, will undoubtedly have an important impact on the future role of this University.

Furthermore, by achieving its target of 7,000 in student population, the University is reaching maturity and stands ready to emerge from a period of consolidation. It is therefore very timely indeed for the University to reposition itself and develop new strategic plans for the new era. Professor Woo has given some of his thoughts on this topic in the President's Report.

HKUST is now not only a Hong Kong university but also a Chinese university. Its home base will be the "Hong Kong Bay Area", as the President prefers to call it, comprising the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region plus the Pearl River Delta. It is from this home base that the University will extend its mission to South China and then all of China, and eventually to Asia and the entire world.

I have had the honour and privilege to be involved with this University from its earliest planning in 1986 as well as during the first ten years of the Council since 1988. As I shall be retiring at the end of March 1999, this will be my last Chairman's Foreword. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all my colleagues, both present and past, on the Court, Council, Senate and their committees, as well as all the incumbent and former academic and administrative staff, for their co-operation and support during the past twelve years.

I would also like to welcome back Dr Vincent H. S. Lo, as the Vice-Chairman of the Council to fill the vacancy left by Dr the Honourable Andrew K. N. Li, who, in accordance with the terms of the University Ordinance, stood down when he took up the post of HKSAR Chief Justice. Last but not the least, I am very pleased indeed that the University Council unanimously approved the re-appointment of Professor Chia-Wei Woo as President for another five years commencing from September 1998. This will provide the desired continuity during the change of Council Chairmanship in 1999.

President's Report This is the first annual report from [Image] HKUST to be submitted to the Government of the Hong Kong Special Professor Administrative Region. As a Chinese Chia-Wei Woo university, HKUST is determined to BS, MA, PhD, be one of the very top universities DLitt, DSc in the nation, particularly in the President of category of research universities the University oriented towards science, technology, and management.

Looking back at our accomplishments this year, I wish to extend my appreciation to all the members of the University community--Council members, Court members, faculty, staff, students, and alumni--who [Image] have contributed to the University's rapid growth and development. We have entered a period of consolidation that will extend, financially speaking, through the University's next triennium budget, beginning in 1998-99. Like other universities in Hong Kong, HKUST is faced with a government-mandated budget cut of 10% at a time when the regional economic situation remains uncertain. However, with careful positioning and strategic planning, we will be able not only to cope with these challenges, but also to work proactively to make significant contributions to Hong Kong, and to China as a whole. In that sense, consolidation means gathering our past accomplishments and present strengths to establish a solid platform, from which we intend to soar.

Highlights of Noteworthy Accomplishments

* A standing committee and several new committees have been established within the University Senate to develop ways to enhance the quality-assurance process in teaching and learning. A student-staff liaison committee has been formed in each department to improve faculty communication with students. * Programs tailor-made for the local environment were developed by all four Schools this past year, and more are on the way. To serve local schools, our experience in utilizing information technology is shared with teachers in the primary and secondary sectors of education. * In the peer-reviewed annual competition for research funding from the Research Grants Council, HKUST again ranked highest in the number of grants awarded, with a total of 143 funded projects, and was highest both in success rate and in per-capita funding. * Collaborative research activities with Mainland institutions continued to expand during the past year. We established a third joint laboratory with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, devoted to nanostructure materials and technology. The joint laboratory will focus on nano-scale hybrid materials, surfaces and interfaces, composite systems, and semi-conductor low dimensional structures. * A number of the University's ongoing research projects in areas such as traditional Chinese medicine; smart fluids; nanostructures; Internet technology; safety, environment, and weather monitoring systems; and China business and management have produced promising results and may give rise to commercial and industrial applications. * The University's long-term aim of building stronger ties with Hong Kong's business and industrial sector is also being realized through successes with our Executive MBA program, Business Incubation Center, Engineering Industrial Consortium, and Consumer Media Laboratory. * The Nansha Information Technology Park was conceptualized, to be built jointly with the Fok Ying Tung Foundation. The project offers a prime example of how the University can contribute to regional growth through its core strengths. The IT Park will develop new technologies and train skilled workers for businesses and industry in the Pearl River Delta, and establish facilities for business incubation. * The Association of East Asian Research Universities, which HKUST played a major role in founding, has become the leading vehicle for building inter-university cooperation in East Asia. HKUST has also become, by invitation, the only Hong Kong member of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities, an organization which intends to become the higher education and research arm of APEC. * The University is pursuing significant collaborative opportunities in France and Germany, using our Europe Institute as a vehicle. New successes include the establishment of a cooperative research program with Vivendi (a FF167.1 billion--HK$238.5 billion--multinational) to work on water management and waste treatment, and a Sino-German Nano-Analytical Laboratory to develop innovative biomedical [Image] devices.

Striving for Excellence at a Time of Consolidation

The fact that HKUST has been able to achieve so much during a period of financial restraint is encouraging. It gives us the confidence to continue in our endeavors to better fulfill the University mission, which I summarize in two words--education and technology.

By education I mean the acquisition of professional expertise, and also the cultural broadening which comes with a genuine appreciation of the humanities and the arts. The School of Humanities and Social Science, which plays a major role in delivering a sound general education to our undergraduates; the University Library, which provides efficient services and mounts excellent artistic exhibits; and the Center for the Arts, which organizes a wide variety of cultural activities for the University community, are components of the broad education we offer.

[Image] The University is proactively preparing for potential changes in Hong Kong's educational system. The presidents of the eight UGC-funded tertiary institutions met with principals of secondary schools during the past year to discuss an emerging consensus that Hong Kong's universities should adopt a four-year system. If this comes to pass, our future undergraduates will enjoy a more complete education. In 1998-99, as a new round of curriculum planning begins at the departmental level, each department will be asked to work out alternative four-year paths for undergraduate majors, and a seamless transition from the existing three-year system.

By technology, I include both its precursor and its commercialization--the sciences that provide technology with a sound foundation, and modern management methods that facilitate its application. The Chief Executive of the SAR has made abundantly clear his personal commitment to upgrading Hong Kong's technology and industry. We at HKUST are fortunate to be here at this time and place to help Hong Kong in her transition to a knowledge-based, technology-oriented modern society.

[Image] We continue to develop all of our "areas of excellence which include the 19 academic departments (two of which are called divisions) and all [Image] of the research institutes, plus other emerging areas of high impact. Through their respective specializations and interdisciplinary interests, they represent our concerted efforts to strengthen Hong Kong's intellectual foundation and environment.

We emphasize the importance of collaboration with local businesses and industries as a driving force in promoting their competitiveness. In response to the SAR Government's desire to upgrade the technology level of local businesses and industries, our activities in forming strategic alliances, technology transfer, business incu-bation, and executive education are continuously intensified. To help the University excel in its endeavors during a period of budgetary constraints, we strive to continue our campus development on a self-financing basis. Current projects such as an environmental wind/wave tunnel and geo-technical centrifuge, a building for nuclear magnetic resonance, and the UST Annex are expected to be completed during the next year. The University will begin construction of a coastal research laboratory and 25-meter indoor swimming pool on the campus waterfront, as well as other amenities to improve the quality of campus life.

Allocation of recurrent funds has been a primary concern of the University since the government budget cuts were mandated. The University Budget Committee, chaired by Vice-President for Administration and Business Paul Bolton and composed mainly of faculty members, formulated a triennium budget that conforms to UGC's reduced funding level while avoiding staff layoffs.

Downsizing will be achieved through natural attrition of non-teaching staff at a projected 5% per annum over three years, together with a small reduction in faculty size (from 528 to 520 FTE). At the same time, the University has begun the re-engineering of its administrative processes to achieve greater efficiency--and proficiency--in the delivery of services. Redundant procedures, avoidable paperwork, and mundane tasks will be minimized to render work more efficient and more enjoyable for all.

Positioning and Strategic Planning

Looking to the future, as the University reaches maturity we will need to position ourselves and plan a set of strategies.

HKUST will naturally emphasize Hong Kong's character and build on its unique strengths. As I mentioned in last year's Annual Report, "The Hong Kong that forms the home base of this University is not limited to the 235 islands and one peninsula within the confines of the SAR. We must look farther beyond--towards the Pearl River Estuary."

[Image] The University's natural home base [Zoom] is what I have called the "Hong Kong Bay Area". It is a concept, not a political entity, and thus has no formal boundaries. As shown on the accompanying map, the Hong Kong Bay Area is the SAR plus the territory roughly circumscribed within the equilateral triangle formed by the coastal areas of the three municipalities Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Nansha.

As the Hong Kong Bay Area develops, it will become a national and international center of culture, education, finance, science, high technology, telecommunications, transportation, and tourism, as well as other advanced service and manufacturing industries. This new metropolis will act as an energy source and nerve center for South China. It will also be noted for its natural scenic beauty and idyllic environment, which enhance the quality of life.

It is from this home base, the Hong Kong Bay Area, that HKUST will extend its contributions to all of China and to the world. Nationally, HKUST must rank among China's very top universities. Internationally, HKUST must stand out as a world-class research university in all those areas of excellence that we select.

HKUST was designed to be a comprehensive research university with highly selected focuses of excellence. For a university of limited size, to be comprehensive would mean to engage in relevant and peripheral areas through the formation of close strategic alliances with like-minded institutions.

[Image] Recently we concluded two agreements: one with the Fok Ying Tung Foundation to establish an Information Technology Park in the Nansha District of Panyu, at the center of the Pearl River Delta; and the other with Peking University to establish a research academy in the Nanshan District of Shenzhen, right across the border. Through these projects, and strategic partnerships elsewhere in China, as well as with East Asian, Western European, and North American institutions, we will be able to extend the scope of our activities without expanding the size of the University.

HKUST and the Local Environment

The ultimate goal of the University's strategic planning is to help us better serve the economic and social development of Hong Kong and its region, in accordance with our clearly stated mission.

The Asian economic crisis which surfaced late last year has already had a great impact on Hong Kong's economy. Hong Kong people have experienced many economic crises before. However, the one that we are experiencing currently seems to be the most dramatic and the cause of more frustration than ever before. Why are Hong Kong people losing their confidence this time? I believe the major reason for this is that, while economic revitalization depends on education and technology, Hong Kong has historically not paid sufficient attention to, nor invested sufficiently in, education and technology. So, there are weaknesses in our economic fundamentals.

Education and technology are precisely what HKUST is about. I am sure our University is on the right track in helping the SAR and the region overcome the present economic downturn. The University will contribute by

* training high-quality personnel to meet Hong Kong's needs during a time of economic and social transition; * helping local businesses and industries to migrate to higher value-added areas and to increase their competitiveness; * contributing to Hong Kong's transition to a knowledge-based society driven by high technology and innovation; * preparing for the next millennium in basic research, culture, environment, and quality of life; and * helping the Hong Kong Bay Area grow into a truly world-class metropolis of the 21st century.

With leadership and support from the Government, Hong Kong will come through the present economic downturn in good shape. HKUST stands fully prepared to work alongside government, business and industry, and the people of Hong Kong to soar to further heights.

People The year under review began on a date of great historic significance for Hong Kong&emdash;1 July 1997. On that day, Hong Kong once again became an integral part of China.

Throughout the subsequent year, the significance of this reunification was brought home to members of the University community in a multitude of ways. The national flag now flies over the campus every day. The playing of the national anthem marked the opening of the University's Fifth Congregation, presided over by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. These and other signs were reminders to all that we have entered a new era rich with opportunities and challenges. As the University advances towards a bright and solid future, there can be no doubt that many achievements and honors await.

Students and Alumni

Current Students

Total student enrollment was 7,176 (6,855 FTE) as of 31 December 1997, consisting of 5,649 undergraduate and 1,527 (1,206 FTE) postgraduate students.

[Image] At the University's Fifth Congregation, academic degrees were conferred on 1,802 undergraduate and 373 postgraduate students. A total of 40 doctoral degrees were awarded.

During the three-day event, 15 graduates in the Class of 1997 received the University's Academic Achievement Award for outstanding academic performance. Each had maintained a "solid A" cumulative grade average throughout his or her undergraduate years.

The 15 recipients were:

Chan Kin Tak (Biology)

Mickey Chan Chat Keung (Finance)

Chang Kar Seng (Civil and Structural Engineering)

Tiffany Chau Lai Shan (Accounting)

Victor Hui Sui Sung (Accounting)

Vincent Ip Ting Pong (Computer Science)

Ho Chi Yan (Accounting)

Lai Pak Cheung (Electronic Engineering)

Lam Chi Yung (Computer Science)

Emily Lau Mung Lam (Management of Organizations)

Paul Lo Chi Kit (Computer Science)

Lo Chi Wa (Electronic Engineering)

Liu Shun Hong (Finance)

Lewis Tam Hon Keung (Finance)

Yu Wing Sze (Biology)

The Fifth Congregation also saw the graduation of the first female PhDs produced by the University. These justly proud women were:

Ge Hong (Biology)

Wong Lai Ah (Mechanical Engineering)

Wu Man Ching (Chemistry)

Xing Jun (Biology)

Zhang Xiaolian (Biochemistry)

[Image] Student life and the campus culture of HKUST became even more cosmopolitan [Image] during the past year as student societies continued to strengthen their links and enhance their interactions [Image] with counterparts on the Mainland. The number of exchange students from overseas studying at HKUST increased rapidly. They have added fresh sparks and new viewpoints to life on campus.

Exchange went both ways. HKUST has established student exchange programs with more than 50 leading institutions around the world. Last year, more than 100 students departed from Hong Kong for the broadening experience of exchange study at university campuses in America, Australia, and Europe, as well as the Chinese Mainland.

In keeping with this theme, the first International Day, held in April 1998, turned HKUST's Academic Concourse into a colorful melting pot of cultures. Students and staff members alike expanded their horizons and enjoyed traditional foods and performances from places like Britain, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, the United States, and, of course, the Chinese Mainland.

In sports and cultural activities, HKUST students won a good share of prizes and championships this year. One of the most courageous performances was by the men's rowing team, which won the coxed-eight, coxed-four, and coxless-four races in the 3rd Hong Kong Universities Rowing Championship.

And for the first time in Hong Kong, three students with hearing impairments have been admitted to a tertiary institution. Since September 1997, HKUST has been providing special assistance and support services to help these students integrate into campus life.

[Image] Alumni

[Image] Despite the early impacts of the Asian economic crisis, the recipients of HKUST bachelor's degrees in 1997 outperformed [Image] their predecessors in job placement. Of these 1,802 graduates, 98% secured a full-time job or enrolled in full-time postgraduate study by the end of the year. Nearly three-quarters of them (73%) received two offers or more. In addition, the 1997 graduates enjoyed a wider range of job opportunities and collectively earned a higher median salary of $11,500 per month, a 9.5% increase over that of the previous year.

Most of the very small number (36) who were not employed were pursuing other interests. Imbued with a spirit of entrepreneurship, in March 1998 five HKUST graduates&emdash;Winton Choi Wai Tong, Kenny Kwan Lap Shun, Albert Lee Wing Chiu, Kevin Leung Kin Keung, and Andy Wong Yeuk Wing&emdash;formed their own high-tech company, called Veridata. This was the first fledgling company to take up residence in the Business Incubation Center at HKUST. Its business plan called for the marketing of a voice processing system within 18 months. When the Chief Executive of the SAR, Tung Chee Hwa, visited HKUST in May, he stopped at Veridata's office to chat with the young business partners and was deeply impressed by their innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit. "Through them, I see how we can turn our vision for new and innovative technology development into reality," he said.

The HKUST Alumi Association now comprises nine constituent alumni groups with a total membership of 1,300. Four of the nine groups were formed during the past year by graduates in accounting and civil and structual engineering, and veterans of the rowing and handball teams. The various alumni groups organize activities such as career talks, dinner gatherings, cultural events, and sports competitions, all with the aim of fostering good relations and building up a strong alumni network.

To strengthen their sense of belonging, the University Development Office opened a new communication channel to alumni with the publication of the first issue of its Alumni News in February 1998. This quarterly newsletter reports on alumni activities as well as keeping classmates abreast of one another's news.

Faculty and Staff

External Recognition

It was a fruitful year for HKUST's faculty, an impressive number of whom gained recognition from their peers around the world for significant academic and professional achievements. Individual honors and awards rightly belong to the gifted men and women who win them, but they also add luster to the reputation of the University that shares their pride in their accomplishments.

Dr C. M. Chan (Civil and Structural Engineering) received the American Society of Civil Engineers' State-of-the-Art Award for his contributions to the field of building design. Prof Philip C. H. Chan (Head, Electrical [Image] and Electronic Engineering) received EDN Asia's Innovator of the Year Award for continuing excellence and innovation in electronic design.

Dr Mounir Hamdi and his student Lixin Wang won the Best Paper Award at the 12th International Conference on Information Networking.

Prof Lung-fei Lee (Economics) was recognized as one of the three most productive scholars in the world in both theoretical econometrics and general econometrics&emdash;a feat which has gained him entry to the Econometricians' Hall of Fame. This ranking is based on research output as reflected by publication activity in top professional journals during the period 1989&endash;95.

Dr Zexiang Li (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) received a National Natural Science Award, Third Class, from China's State Commission on Science and Technology for his work in robotics.

Prof Alan Meyer (Management of Organizations) was elected a Fellow of the Academy of Management.

Dr Mo Mu (Mathematics) was elected a Member of the International Federation of Information Processing&emdash;Numerical Software Group.

Prof Anne S. Tsui (Head, Management of Organizations) received the 1998 ASQ Award for Scholarly Contribution from Administrative Science Quarterly, a top management journal. The award is given annually to the author(s) of the paper published five years earlier in ASQ that has had the greatest impact on subsequent theory and research. Prof Tsui also became an elected Fellow of the Academy of Management and was presented with the Academy's 1998 Academic Achievement Award for a paper on employee-organization relations.

[Image] The Estates Management Office won the International Facility Management Association's Golden Circles Award for 1997, making HKUST not only the first winner outside the US, but also the first university to take home the facility management profession's most prestigious award.

Internal Affairs

Prof Leroy L. Chang (Physics), former Dean of Science, was appointed HKUST's first University Professor in recognition of his international academic stature and contributions to the development of the University. As conceived by the Council, University Professorships are only rarely to be conferred, and on an extremely selective basis.

The University also awarded the title of Professor Emeritus to Prof Hiroyuki Hiraoka (Chemistry), Prof Din-Yu Hsieh (Mathematics), and Prof C. K. Shen (Civil & Structural Engineering) in recognition of their outstanding contributions and service. All three retired on 30 June 1998.

Appointments to senior academic administrative positions included:

Prof Chi Kwong Chang, Head of the Department of Chemistry

Prof Michael M. Loy, Head of the Department of Physics

With effect from 1 July 1997, a so-called Choice Plan was established under the Staff Superannuation Scheme alongside the older DB Plan. The Choice Plan is a defined-contribution arrangement, and members are given flexibility in choosing how their benefits are to be invested among investment options with varying degrees of risk and return. All appointees joining the superannuation scheme on or after 1 July 1997 are to be enrolled in the Choice Plan. After two rounds of transfer exercise, 29% of the DB Plan members serving as of July 1997 opted to transfer to the Choice Plan.

The University's approved staff establishment for 1997&endash;98 numbered 2,350. Because of budgetary constraints, a freeze was imposed in the middle of the year. As of 30 June 1998, there were 2221 full-time staff members in post, a reduction of over 5% from the establishment. The University seeks to achieve a further 5% per year savings in non-academic staff costs through the next triennium, primarily through natural staff attrition.

University Senate

During 1997&endash;98, in addition to debating and approving a large number of academic policies, the Senate continued to focus on improving the quality assurance processes related to teaching and learning. A number of committees were established under the direct purview of the Senate to monitor teaching and learning quality, general education, and language education. Concrete measures were adopted to strengthen curriculum management, as well as student-staff liaison in each academic department.

By enhancing the formal processes of quality assurance in teaching and learning, the University seeks to ensure that good ideas and best practices are shared widely among the academic staff.

[Image] Honors and Awards

[Image] At the University's Fifth Congregation on 13 November 1997, honorary doctorates were awarded to five distinguished scholars and community leaders:

Prof Ernest S. Kuh Doctor of Engineering honoris causa

Dr Steven Kwok-Lim Poon Doctor of Business Administration honoris causa

Prof Yuen-Ron Shen Doctor of Science honoris causa

Dr Helmut Sohmen Doctor of Letters honoris causa

Dr Daniel Tse Chi-Wai Doctor of Laws honoris causa

On the same occasion, the Michael G. Gale Medal for Distinguished Teaching was awarded to Dr Kimberly A. Chang (Social Science), selected as the outstanding teacher of the year.

The Stephen Cheong Kam-chuen Medal for Distinguished Service to the Student Body was presented to Agnes Chan Pui-Yiu, former president of the HKUST Students' Union. Ms Chan had worked effectively in the Students' Union to promote activities such as the "Welcome '97" celebrations that significantly enhanced the interchange between students and teachers.

[Image] University Court and Council

[Image] The Court and Council are the University's highest advisory and governing body, respectively. During the first year of reunification, the Court and Council had much to celebrate.

On 1 July 1997, Dr the Hon Sze-Yuen Chung, Chairman of the Council, and Dr Cha Chi-Ming, a member of the Court, were among the first group of 12 distinguished individuals selected to receive the Grand Bauhinia Medal, the SAR's highest honor.

On the same day, Dr Chung and Dr the Hon Andrew K. N. Li, Vice-Chairman of the Council, took up their appointments as Convenor of the Executive Council and Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, respectively.

Later in the year, the SAR Government announced the second batch of recipients of domestic honors, including three members of the University Court. Dr the Hon Run Run Shaw was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal, and the Hon Lau Wong Fat and Dr Vincent H. S. Lo received the Grand Bauhinia Star award.

The 1997&endash;98 academic year possessed its own historic significance for the University as well. On 16 April 1998, the University celebrated the Council's tenth anniversary. The former Planning Committee had become established as the University Council ten years previously, and since that time, the University has grown under the Council's leadership from a vision shared by a few to the vibrant, fully functioning campus we see today. With diminished boundaries separating it [Image] from the Mainland, Hong Kong is becoming an even more active player in the Pearl River Delta. On the occasion of the Council's tenth anniversary celebration, the Council Chairman looked forward to the development of the Pearl River Delta as one of the largest manufacturing centers in the world, bringing forth tremendous opportunity in the 21st century. Hong Kong, he said, can become the brains and heart of this region.

The Court's annual meeting coincided with the Council's anniversary celebration. The President of the University, Prof Chia-Wei Woo, presented a comprehensive report describing both the University's plans for consolidation and its future strategic developments.

The convenor of the Court's Task Force on Executive Education, Dr Vincent H. S. Lo, reported the successful launch of the University's Executive MBA program, a joint venture of the School of Business and Management and the J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management of Northwestern University.

Dr Helmut Sohmen, convenor of the Task Force on Art and Culture, shared his vision of an aesthetically pleasing campus environment. He also revealed a series of plans to accomplish this.

There were two significant changes in Court and Council membership during 1997&endash;98. By Ordinance, Dr the Hon Andrew K. N. Li had to resign as Vice-Chairman of the Council but was able to resume his membership of the Court. Dr Edgar W. K. Cheng retired from the Court after accepting appointment as Chairman of the University Grants Committee.

Teaching and Learning [Image] Responding to the issues raised in the Teaching and Learning Quality Process Review (TLQPR) conducted by the University Grants Committee became a major priority of the University in 1997-98. Activities aimed at the [Image] continuous improvement of teaching and learning were pursued on many fronts.

The Senate adopted new polices and established several new committees to strengthen oversight of teaching quality. A new standing Committee on [Image] Teaching and Learning Quality has a mandate to promote teaching and learning quality assurance process. A new Senate policy on curriculum management defines the responsibilities of academic departments for managing their own courses and programs, and requires each to establish appropriate mechanisms to meet these responsibilities. Another new policy requires that every department establish a student-staff liaison committee. Chaired by the department head, the committee must meet at least once per semester to have an open exchange with students on the department's teaching practices and curriculum.

The School of Humanities and Social Science launched a series of "minors" to complement the program specializations or "majors" chosen by undergraduates. Students who elect a minor in the humanities or social sciences will enjoy an enriched learning experience and enhanced career prospects. The School of Business and Management continued to develop and publish local and regional business cases for use at home and in international markets, contributing to the upgrading of business education in Hong Kong and the region. Faculty members from the Schools of Science and Engineering have developed new multimedia tools for laboratory courses and assisted teachers in local secondary schools in applying IT tools in their classes.

One area where significant improvement was made was in the preparation of postgraduate teaching assistants. A group of postgraduate students with experience as teaching assistants worked with the Educational Technology Center to improve the induction and training workshops for new teaching assistants. All new postgraduate assistants were required to attend an orientation program to receive information about the University and their work as teaching assistants.

New postgraduate assistants were also required to attend selected workshops as part of the pre-job training that aims to equip them with basic teaching skills. Thirty-eight workshops were held from 25 August to 5 September 1997 with 697 registrations overall, representing an average attendance of 3.5 workshops by each participant.

Another important aspect of education that each of our four schools has worked on diligently during the past few years, and will continue to pursue in the future, is improving our students' language ability, both in English and in Chinese. There is no doubt that the quality of our students is up to standard in their chosen field of study. Our efforts in language training are intended to enhance their communication skills so that they can express themselves clearly and logically--an important asset in today's competitive environment.

Teaching innovations drawing on the technological expertise of the University faculty remained an important focus during the past year. One team of faculty members developed a new, inexpensive Personal Reponse System (PRS) using infrared technology that allows teachers to receive and automatically tabulate instantaneous responses to key questions about the lecture material. Used properly, the system encourages students to teach each other in discussions prior to entering their responses--a concept known as peer instruction that has been demonstrated to be an effective teaching strategy. The PRS has been patented and was used on a trial basis in a number of classes this year, in preparation for a full-scale implementation in the near future. Other new instructional technologies are being developed by the Center for Enhanced Learning Technology, set up within the School of Engineering.

HKUST's efforts to strengthen teaching and learning were recognized by UGC in its response to a progress report submitted by the University in February 1998. In a letter dated 15 June 1998, the Chairman of UGC stated: "My Committee would wish to commend HKUST for the scope, vigour, and comprehensiveness of the follow up to its TLQPR." These encouraging words acknowledge that during 1997-98 the University successfully laid the foundations for continuous improvement. The University resolves to put all the plans into action and deliver the best education possible to our students. Research & Development HKUST has continued to enhance its association with Mainland institutions in all phases of R&D activity. Major collaborative projects commenced during the past year include:

* A joint laboratory in nanostructure materials and technology established in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The nanostructure laboratory at HKUST is the third joint laboratory, and the largest so far, developed by the University in partnership with CAS. * An Information Technology Park to be built in Nansha, Punyu, with the collaboration of the Fok Ying Tung Foundation. The IT park will provide professional training and develop advanced technologies for business development, helping to transform the Hong Kong Bay Area into a major science and technology center in the 21st century. * An offshore environmental monitoring system integrating satellite, surface, and subsurface sensing data, to be built at the mouth of the Pearl River and in nearby coastal areas with the collaboration of Zhongshan University in Guangzhou. This project has received the first "863 grant" for Hong Kong and, at 6.5 million yuan, one of the highest awards from China's central government. * A multifaceted research academy to be established in Shenzhen with Peking University. The academy will engage in joint research, executive education, and incubation of emerging high-tech businesses, enhancing the economic development of the region.

Other collaborative projects on the way reflect a synergy that can only deepen as Hong Kong and Mainland institutions seek to combine forces to focus and strengthen their efforts in research and technology development.

Senior academics from the University, including the President, Vice-President for Academic Affairs, Vice-President for Research & Development, and School Deans, made two visits to universities, research institutes, and relevant government agencies in the Yangtze River basin and Beijing, respectively. The visits further strengthened our links with Mainland insti-tutions, and generated concrete agreements. Through efforts like these, we have been able to recruit excellent research staff and postgraduate students from the Mainland to the University.

Research Funding

HKUST continues to enjoy notable success in diverse areas of research activity, attracting funding from a variety of sources.

A total of $79.9 million was awarded to HKUST for 143 new projects funded in the current cycle of RGC's competitive earmarked research grants program. HKUST's overall success rate of 61% in this year's competition remained the highest among all institutions in Hong Kong.

Over the year, new project funding secured by University researchers totaled $225 million, a 30% gain over the previous year's $171 million. In addition to peer-reviewed programs funded by RGC and UGC, sources of research support included Hong Kong government agencies such as the Industry Department through its Industrial and Services Support Funds, nonprofit organizations such as the Croucher and CCK foundations, and the business and industry sectors.

[Image] Academic Research

[Image] HKUST's 19 academic departments and divisions all contributed to a high level of sustained research excellence across the University. Noteworthy achievements of the past year include:

* Discovery of novel forms of cell cycle inhibitors in neoplasmic cells * Development of sensitive bioassays for screening the pharmacological and toxicological properties of traditional Chinese medicines * Identification of a new class of growth regulator affecting plant growth and development * Introduction of a new, unified coordinate system for computational fluid dynamics which, for 2-D flow, has proved superior to both Eulerian and Lagrangian coordinates * Fabrication of self-assembled ZnSe quantum dots, from which photoluminescent light emission is twenty times stronger than that from bulk material * In-depth analyses of Chinese accounting reforms and standards, recent changes in China's banking and monetary system, competition and privatization in China's rural industry, and the impact of economic growth and reform on labor migration and social mobility in China * Elucidation of cost-volume-profit relations under conditions of uncertainty, auditor litigation, responsibilities of company directors, and financial disclosures for Hong Kong companies

[Image] Applied Research

[Image] Collaborative R&D programs with business and industry have once again yielded impressive results. Examples include: [Image] * Establishment of a Traditional Chinese Medicine Safety Information Center to provide useful information for researchers and entrepreneurs who wish to develop TCM applications * Publication of Prof Justin Lin's Miracles of China as an important reference work for problems related to national enterprises on the Chinese Mainland * Development of a safety monitoring system for long-span bridges that has been installed on the Humen Bridge in the Pearl River Delta * Transfer of technology for economically viable production of recombinant Epidermal Growth Factor (an agent used for treating skin trauma and promoting skin growth) to a local biotechnology company * Development of high-performance cement-based composites and products for building and infrastructure construction * Development of a prototype full-color microdisplay consisting of liquid crystal on silicon capable of high resolution (1,024 x 768 pixels) and full integration with all driver/controller circuits on the same silicon chip * Development of 3D garment-design software, allowing parametric interactive design modification and a substantial shortening of cycle time from design and preproduction to fitted garment products * On-time commissioning of a state-of-the-art real-time weather monitoring system to commence operation at Hong Kong's new airport * Design and implementation of a Wind Warning System for MTRC's new Airport Express train to ensure safe operation during adverse wind conditions

R&D Restructuring

To serve the full spectrum of R&D activity as well as promote tighter integration with the Academic Affairs Branch of the University, the structure and functional responsibilities of units in the R&D Branch were reorganized during the past year. Following this restructuring, the University's R&D units are configured as follows:

Office of Contract and Grant Administration

identifies and promotes sources of research funding; assists the faculty in preparing research proposals, project reports, and research papers submitted for publication; administers research funding; maintains a research information database; reports on the University's research activities

[Image] Engineering Industrial Consortium

helps to establish industrial contacts and cooperation; organizes professional development and training programs; promotes technology diffusion

Technology Transfer Center

provides technical marketing and formal liaison with industry; assists the faculty in developing proposals for industrial collaboration; assists technology development activities; facilitates technology transfer

Applied Technology Center

establishes and manages technology development projects, demonstration programs, pilot plant operations, and pre-commercialization activities

[Image] Business Incubation Center

assists up to six start-up companies with marketing, management, finance, technology, networking, and professional development, allowing them to reduce their operating costs and risks during the critical early years (in partnership with the Hong Kong Industrial Technology Centre Corporation)

HKUST RandD Corporation Ltd

markets and commercializes the University's intellectual property; manages a venture capital fund; assists the establishment and growth of technology-based start-up companies

With this configuration of R&D support, the University is now in position to make a more substantial contribution to regional economic development by deploying its intellectual and material resources at every point along the R&D spectrum extending from basic research to business development.

Campus Development

The opening of the University Center in 1997 marked the completion of a major campus development project creating new residential quarters for senior staff and postgraduate students, an attractive recreational facility, and a more spacious and comprehensive campus. The current phase of campus development aims at providing specialized facilities for environmental research, technology transfer, and executive education.

Near the south gate of the campus, a new structure housing a 60-meter closed-circuit wind tunnel and a large-beam geotechnical centrifuge is approaching completion. This 1,600-square-meter facility will provide environmental and geotechnical testing capabilities previously unavailable in Hong Kong.

Construction of the HKUST Annex, a 6,600-square-meter extension to the main academic building, is well advanced. When completed in April 1999, the Annex will provide much needed space for a variety of programs and activities, including those of the HKUST RandD Corporation, Technology Transfer Center, Applied Technology Center, Business Incubation Center, Executive MBA program, and Shui On Center for China Business and Management.

Design work has begun on a coastal research laboratory to be constructed on campus near the shoreline of Port Shelter. The top floor of this three-story, 1,000-square-meter facility will contain a six-lane, 25-meter indoor swimming pool for use by members of the University community throughout the year.

It should be mentioned that the capital costs of the Annex and coastal laboratory are being entirely met by privately donated funds. The University wishes to express its gratitude to the donors of those funds.

Thanks to years of careful and continuing development, it can be said that the University enjoys a beautiful, well-equipped campus that is a credit to Hong Kong and a major attraction to visitors and residents alike.

Finance The University has entered a period of consolidation. The financial results for 1997-98 reflected slower and more solid growth in the University's activities. Total net assets at year's end stood at $4,234 million, an increase over the previous year's $4,105 million.

General income increased by 8% to $1,942 million, of which 79%, or $1,529 million, was provided by the University Grants Committee. Also included in general income were $288 million of tuition fees and $125 million from other sources.

General expenditure increased by 10% to $1,892 million, mainly due to salary revisions, inflation, and a growth in the student body from 6,720 to 6,855 FTE.

After transfers to reserve accounts, the amount of general expenditure over general income showed a deficit of $101 million. This deficit was offset against surpluses brought forward from 1995-97, in accordance with the predetermined triennium budget, achieving a balanced position for the 1995-98 triennium.

The University's balance sheet, income and expenditure statement, and figures for general expenditure per student are shown in Appendix C. A detailed Treasurer's Report is contained in the University's Financial Statements, available separately.

Donations

The University is most grateful to individual, corporate, and foundation donors who made generous gifts and pledges during 1997-98.

To support construction of the University Annex, $40 million was pledged by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, and payments totaling $7.65 million were received during the year. Also received for the Annex construction were first and second installments totaling $15 million from a total pledge of $20 million by the Chan Tseng-Hsi Foundation Ltd and Dr and Mrs Thomas Chen; and a second installment totaling $5 million from a total pledge of $25 million by the Shui On Group Ltd.

The University Development Fund was credited with a total of $2.51 million this past year, including $1.6 million from Television Broadcasts Ltd and $0.91 million from the Bank of China as its credit card contribution.

In pledged research funding, a total of $6.28 million was received. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust continued its generous support of the Biotechnology Research Institute with further donations totaling $5.7 million as part of its $130 million pledge; and the Hongkong Telecom Foundation gave $0.58 million to the Hongkong Telecom Institute of Information Technology as a further contribution toward its $100 million pledge.

During the past year, 313 scholarships amounting to $6.77 million and 380 bursaries and loans amounting to $1.85 million were distributed. Most notable was the $1.36 million return on endowment contributed by the Jebsen Educational Foundation.

Grants from private sources to support faculty research projects amounted to $4.34 million. Of this amount, noteworthy were $1.51 million donated by the Croucher Foundation in support of seven projects, and $1.16 million from Rockwell Automation towards an industrial engineering project.

Contributions for conferences, workshops, academic exchanges, and student activities stood at $1.62 million.

The grand total of donations and pledges in cash for the year amounted to $83.4 million.

In-kind donations worth $3.6 million were also received, including equipment, software, books, and the like. Most notable were the donations of multimedia PCs and a server valued at $2.8 million from Hewlett-Packard Hong Kong Ltd to the Cyberspace Center and the Computer Science Department's undergraduate graphics teaching laboratory.

Calendar of Events It would not be possible to detail all the significant events of the past year in a few pages. This calendar presents a selection of events, each one special in its own way-- chosen to convey the flavor of another unique and exciting year at HKUST. The omission of other events, including numerous specialized lectures, workshops, and seminars that keep HKUST at the forefront of worldwide intellectual endeavor, by no means diminishes their importance and contribution to university life.

July 1997

Included among the many events celebrating the July 1997 reunification was a stirring performance by the Shaanzi Loess Farmers' Drum and Gong Troupe in the University's S. H. Ho Sports Hall. Nearly 1,000 Mainland performers at Hong Kong's various celebrations stayed at HKUST's campus during their visit.

Top students from Form 6 were invited to participate in the School of Engineering's Engineering Summer Camp '97. Of the 175 honor students in the camp, the 65 who were female were invited to attend a special banquet where accomplished women engineers addressed the topic of career opportunities for women in engineering. Summer camps for potential undergraduates were also organized by the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

August 1997

The Symposium on Coastal Ocean Resources and Environment '97, organized by HKUST and Zhongshan University in Guangzhou, was a major step toward the development of collaborative research initiatives on coastal and ocean science in South China.

Nearly 100 astrophysicsts gathered at HKUST to participate in the 1997 Pacific Rim Conference on Stellar Astrophysics, the first international astronomy conference ever held in Hong Kong.

The CIRP International Symposium on advanced design and manufacture in an era of global manufacturing, sponsored by the Coll嶲e International pour l'尒ude Scientifique de Techniques de Production M嶰anique--a leading institution for production engineering research--was held on campus. Rita Fan, President of Hong Kong's Provisional Legislative Council, addressed the opening session.

September 1997

Many Popular Science Lectures were organized by HKUST and the Hong Kong Science Museum. One of the speakers was Dr Albert Yu (Biology), who lectured on "The Gene Story of the 21st Century".

The inaugural meeting of the Hong Kong Materials Research Society was held in the University's Exposition Hall in conjunction with a symposium sponsored by HKUST's Advanced Materials Research Institute on current research in opto-electronics, nanostructures, and other new materials.

More than 15,000 secondary school students crowded onto the University campus for the busiest Outreach Day ever. The students browsed at departmental booths, attended seminars, and visited campus facilities, curious about the university environment that had opened its doors to potential undergraduates.

October 1997

Six University swimming records were broken at the 5th Annual Aquatic Meet. The overall team championship was won by the School of Business and Management.

An exhibition of work by the renowned sculptor Wang Keping was held in the Exposition Hall to coincide with his tenure as HKUST Artist-in-Residence. During his residence on campus, the artist completed a large-scale sculpture that has added a sense of mystery to the campus environment.

A new technology for manufacturing active-matrix liquid crystal displays was one of the highlights of Electronic Asia '97, an industry-wide exhibition held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Jointly developed by HKUST's Center for Display Research and Varitronix Ltd, the new technique allows the creation of small high-resolution LCDs for applications such as virtual reality headsets and LCD projectors.

Widespread devastation of the world's coral reefs was reported by Reef Check '97 at a news conference held at HKUST. Data for the first global survey of coral reefs, marking the International Year of the Reef, was collected and analyzed at the University's Institute for Environment and Sustainable Development.

November 1997

Academic degrees were presented to 1,802 undergraduate and 373 postgraduate students at the University's Fifth Congregation.

Creation of a Joint Laboratory in Nano-structure Materials and Technology was announced by HKUST and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Headquartered on the HKUST campus, the new laboratory is the third joint laboratory, and the largest thus far, established in partnership with CAS.

The opening of the South China Research Center was announced by the Division of Humanities. The center is devoted to historical and anthropological studies of the South China region.

Gems of Contemporary Chinese Prints, an exhibition by the printmaking faculty of China's National Academy of Fine Arts, opened in the Library Gallery. With some 40 prints on display, the exhibition richly illustrated the changes in Chinese printmaking over the last 50 years.

December 1997

HKUST was the subject of a three-part series broadcast nationwide on "Let's Talk About Science", a popular science program produced by CCTV (China Central Television). The program covered the University's achievements in teaching, research, and service, as well as its work in the Hong Kong Bay Area and its extensive collaborations with Mainland institutions.

The launching of the China Business Forum--the inaugural event of HKUST's Shui On Center for China Business and Management--attracted the SAR's top business and community leaders to a high-level exchange of views at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. An audience of over 700 listened as distinguished academics, business entrepreneurs, and senior executives shared their insights into business and investment prospects in China. The Chief Executive of the HKSAR, Tung Chee Hwa, delivered the keynote address.

An agreement to form the World Wide Web Consortium - Chinese Computing, a new association to guide development of web technologies for the Chinese-language community, was signed by the presidents of HKUST and Chiao Tung University (Hsinchu).

A review of China's space technology was presented by Prof Fenggan Zhuang, Deputy Director of the Science and Technology Council of China's National Space Administration, in a well-attended lecture.

January 1998

The Hang Lung Center for Organizational Research was established with the aim of developing a deeper understanding of management practices in Chinese cultural settings.

The official launch of the Kellogg-HKUST Executive MBA Program, a joint creation of HKUST's School of Business and Management and the J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management of Northwestern University, was a gala affair.

President Chia-Wei Woo led a delegation of Vice-Presidents, Deans, and senior professors on a visit to East China, during which agreements were signed with Fudan University, Nanjing University, and Shanghai Jiaotong University to reconfirm long-time collaborative relationships.

The Symposium on the Frontiers of Chemistry, held at HKUST in conjunction with the Second Conference for Worldwide Chinese Young Chemists, was attended by more than 380 delegates from 14 countries and regions.

The 4th International Seminar on Chinese Information Processing, hosted by the University Library , attracted more than 200 participants from Asia, Australia, and the US.

February 1998

HKUST's first Principals Day attracted 157 school principals and teachers to an exploration of practical issues related to the use of information technology in local schools.

Journey to the East 98, an exhibition of installation art in the University's Exposition Hall, presented the multimedia work of 16 artists from different countries.

Dr Lin Min, a member of the faculty of the Central Party School of the Chinese Communist Party, offered his observations on "The CCP and China's Reform" to the Division of Social Science.

March 1998

HKUST's multimedia booth at Higher Education Expo '98, held at BP International House in Kowloon, attracted a continuous flow of students interested in obtaining information about the University and in logging on to the Internet from the booth.

The 1997 Nobel laureate in physics, Prof Steven Chu, described how new techniques such as optical tweezers allow scientists to probe the behavior of individual molecules in a Distinguished Lecture in Science.

Leung Chin Man, Deputy Secretary for Housing in the HKSAR Government, spoke to students about career service with the government at the Second Business Mentoring Forum, a career development program organized by the University's Career Center.

April 1998

The University Council celebrated its Tenth Anniversary during its annual joint meeting with the University Court.

Prof Lu Yongxiang, President of the Chinese Academy of Science, officiated at the inauguration ceremony of the Chinese Academy of Science Alumni Association. President Chia-Wei Woo of HKUST, Founding President of the Association, presided at the ceremony.

The Consumer Media Lab was established as a vehicle for promoting collaborations with local industry in the development of advanced electronic consumer products for future households.

More than 500 Form 3 students visited the University on Children's Day to participate in the Hong Kong Mathematics Trail 1998.

A Distinguished Lecture in Humanities on "Eileen Chang and Cinema" was presented by the distinguished literary critic Prof Leo Lee of Harvard University.

May 1998

The Chief Executive of the HKSAR, Tung Chee Hwa, made his first extended visit to HKUST and was impressed by the strong commitment he had seen to new and innovative technology development and the advanced research facilities.

Two Distinguished Lectures in Engineering were presented by Prof T. P. Tassios on "Ancient Greek Technology" and "Moral-Political Issues in Sustainable Development".

Mr Hans Michael Jebsen, Managing Director of Jebsen & Co. Ltd, was a featured speaker in the EuroTalk series of HKUST Business Roundtable Dinners. Mr Etienne Reuter, head of the Hong Kong Office of the European Commission, had presented the previous EuroTalk in the November 1997 Roundtable Dinner.

The Association of East Asian Research Universities held its third board meeting at HKUST. The meeting was chaired by President Sooyong Chang of the Pohang University of Science Technology.

June 1998

More than 400 delegates attended the 6th Pacific Rim Biotechnology Conference and Bio Expo 98, hosted by HKUST. The biennial conference focused on new developments in biotechnology and their likely impact on medicine, agriculture, and the environment.

President Chia-Wei Woo led a delegation of Vice-Presidents, Deans, and senior professors on a visit to Beijing, during which agreements were signed with Peking University and Tsinghua University to reconfirm long-time collaborative relationships. The agreement with Peking University reflected a particularly strong academic alliance

SiGNAL, the Sino-German Nano-Analytical Laboratory, was opened by Wolfgang Gerz, German Consul-General in Hong Kong, and President Chia-Wei Woo. The laboratory will allow German and Chinese academic and industrial partners to collaborate on developing innovative biosensors and other biomolecular devices.

校董會主席前言 校長報告

* 重要發展成果摘要 * 在鞏固期追求卓越 * 科大的定位和策略發展 * 科大與本地發展息息相關

人物

* 學生及校友 * 教師與職員 * 大學教務委員會 * 榮譽與奬項 * 大學顧問委員會、校董會

教學 研究與開發

* 研究經費 * 學術研究 * 應用研究 * 組織重整

校園發展 財務 * 捐贈

大事紀要〔選錄〕

年報 鍾士元議員 大學校董會主席 校董會主席前言

香港在1997年7月1日回歸祖國，進入了一個新的紀元。這份年報剛好是由這一天開始，到19 98年6月30日為止，正是香港成為中國領土一部分後一整年。

在回歸以前，香港一直是一個孤立個 體，在她的地理範圍內力求自給自 足。她也曾經在內地動盪的時期得到 一些好處。但從1997年開始，香港的 利益有賴一個安定和繁榮的中國，她 毋須力求自給自足，她的經濟發展也 不再局限於以前的地理範圍。這些基 本的轉變為香港帶來新的機遇和挑 戰，並肯定會對本校將來的發展帶來 重要影響。

另一方面，隨著大學達到預定收生七 千人的目標，我們已踏入成熟階段， 並完成了鞏固期。因此，現在是適當 時刻去為大學重新定位，並為新紀元 制訂策略性計劃。吳家瑋教授在本年 報的'校長報告'中，已就這兩點提 出了一些構想。

科大現在已不單祇是一所香港的大 學，她更是一所中國的大學。她的根 據地就是吳校長稱為'香港灣區'的 地帶，它的範圍包括香港特別行政區 和珠江三角洲。本校將會從這個根據 地出發，把她的貢獻伸展到華南地 區，並進一步推展到整個國家，以至 亞洲和全世界。

我很榮幸可以從1986年起，便參與這 所大學最初期的籌備工作，並從校董 會在1988年成立後，繼續在校董會工 作了十年。我將於1999年3月底退 休，因此，這次將會是我最後一次為 科大的《年報》撰寫'校董會主席前 言'。我想藉這個機會向大學顧問委 員會、校董會、教務委員會和它們轄 下各委員會的現任及前任同事們，以 及所有在職和離職的教職員致意，感 謝大家過去十二年來給予我的支持和 合作。

我也想藉這個機會歡迎羅康瑞博士重 返校董會，並擔任副主席職務。前任 校董會副主席李國能博士獲委任為香 港特區首席大法官，因而按照大學條 例辭去副主席的職務。最後，我非常 高興大學校董會一致通過再聘任吳家 瑋教授為大學校長，任期由1998年9 月開始，為期五年。此舉將會令明年 校董會主席職位的交接更為順利。

校董會主席前言 吳家瑋教授大學校長 校長報告 這是我校在香港特別行政區政府管治下呈交的第一份年報。作為中國境內的高等院校，香港 科技大學決心要成為全國最優秀的學府之一；尤其在以科學、技術、和管理為發展主力的研 究型科技大學中，必須在領先的行列裏佔一席位。

過去一年，就經濟狀況來說，科大進入 了鞏固期。正如本港其他大專院校，面 臨經費削減和地區性經濟的波動。即使 如此，大學仍能穩步發展，創造了不少 驕人的成果，令人欣慰。我想藉這總結

和前瞻的機會，向那些為科大作出貢獻的大學成員-校董、大學顧問、教師、職員、學生、 和校友-致敬。

從財政角度來看，鞏固期會延伸到整個 三年度預算期。我相信祇要大家認清方 向，高瞻遠矚，確立科大的定位和發展 策略，將不但可以應付目前的挑戰，還 可以積極地為香港以至全國作出貢獻。 這樣{????}荂A鞏固的含意是凝聚力量和優 勢，建立穩固的平台，從那裏振翅高 飛。

重要發展成果摘要

* 教務委員會成立了一個常務委員 會及數個新的委員會，負責探討 如何進一步增强教與學素質保證 的機制。各學系設置了推廣教師 與學生溝通的小組。 * 大學的四個學院分別開辦了更多 專門為配合本港社會環境需要的 課程，下學年還會推出更多新課 程。另一方面，科大在教學上運 用資訊科技的經驗已經惠及本地 的基礎教育界；教師們正在協助 本地中、小學校把資訊科技應用 於教學工作。 * 根據研究資助局所公布的結果， 科大在競逐該局的研究經費上， 繼續在項目總數(共有143項)、成 功率、及人均資助額等方面領先 其他院校。 * 大學在本年度裏繼續拓展與內地 教研單位的合作，包括與中國科 學院合作建立第三所聯合實驗 室-納米材料與技術聯合實驗 室。該實驗室將著眼於四個研究 領域：納米層次的複合材料、表 面和界面、複合系統、及半導體 低維結構。 * 正在進行中的多種科研項目(包括 傳統中藥，智慧流體，納米結 構，互聯網技術，安全、環境、 和氣候監測系統，及中國企業與 管理等)已經擁有工業化或商品化 潛力的成果。 * 行政人員工商管理碩士課程、產 業育成中心、科大工業聯盟、及 消費電子實驗室等，都是大學與 工商業界建立緊密合作關係的實 例。 * 南沙資訊科技園區發展計劃已經 粗定，大學將與霍英東基金合作 開展有關建設。這是大學以其核 心强項貢獻給地區經濟發展的一 個例子。資訊科技園區裏的工作 將包括開發新技術、為珠江三角 洲的廠家和公司培育資訊人材、 和提供設施進行技術轉移和創 業。 * 我校積極參與創立的東亞研究型 大學協會，加强了大學在東亞地 區的聯繫，創造了更多合作的機 會。此外，科大獲邀為太平洋地 區大學協會唯一的香港成員；該 協會將發展成為亞太經濟合作組 織在高等教育和研究工作方面的 主力。 * 通過大學的歐洲研究所，積極推 動了與法國和德國的合作機會。 最近與總公司設於巴黎的 Vivendi(一家年營業額達1,671億 法郎-約港幣2,216億元-的跨國 公司)達成協議，將共同從事水源 管理及污水處理方面的研究和開 發。又成立了中德納米分析實驗

室，讓中德兩地學者及工業專家合作創製嶄新的生物醫學器材。

鞏固期間繼續追求卓越

雖然當前財政緊縮，我校工作進展仍不 遜於急速發展的創校階段；這一點令人 欣慰。我們有信心能夠更有效地實現大 學的兩個使命：教育和科技。

在教育方面，為青年學生培育的，除了 專業知識外，還包括文化修養。人文社 會科學學院為本科生提供通識教育；圖 書館在專業服務外還經常主辦藝術展 覽；藝術中心經常為科大成員舉辦多種 文化活動。這些都充實了學生的全面教 育。

科大正在為本港大學學制可能出現的轉變做好準備。1998年4月，本港八所大 學的校長與五個中學團體的代表舉行聯 席會議，探討在社會上已逐漸取得的共 識：本港大學應由三年制改為四年制， 以便為大學生提供比較完整的教育。 1998-99學年裏，各學系在展開下一輪 課程規劃時，會同時設計四年制本科課 程，並會考慮怎樣從現行的三年制順利 過渡到日後的四年制。

我所說的科技包括為技術創新作先導的 科學，以及為技術產業化作後盾的現代 企業管理方法。香港特別行政區行政長 官董建華先生已一再表明他對提升本港 科技和工業的重視。科大適逢其會，將 努力配合政府政策，輔助香港轉型成為 以知識為基礎、科技為支柱的現代化社 會。

科大繼續發展一系列卓越領域-包括19個學系(兩個叫做'學部')、各個研究所、以及其他 特具潛力的重點項目。同事們協力同心，集中力量，發展這些專業領域及跨學科項目，共同 為提升本港知識水平和改善科技環境作出貢獻。

我校一直重視與工商業界發展緊密合作 關係，藉以提高本地的競爭力。為回應 特區政府對提升本地工商業技術水平的 殷切盼望，科大將不斷加强與工商業界 組織策略性聯盟、技術轉移、產業孕育 、及高級行政管理培訓等方面的工作。

為支持教研單位在經費緊縮時期精益求 精，大學會繼續盡力自籌經費建設校 園。目前正在進行中的項目包括風洞和 岩土離心機設施、核磁共振樓、及科大 新翼等工程，預計會在明年完工；其他 將會開展的工程包括在校園海濱興建海 岸研究實驗室、25米室內游泳池、及其 他改善校園生活環境的設施。

自從政府公布削減對本港各大專院校的 資助後，如何更加善用政府的經常撥款 已經成為大學的一則關鍵任務。由副校 長(行政及總務)卜誼隆擔任主席、教授 們為主要成員的預算委員會已經完成了 一個極為緊縮的三年度預算規劃；這規 劃既能達到大學教育資助委員會削減經 費的要求，又可以令大學避免裁員。

我們將會通過自然流失及大幅度縮減非 薪金開支來節省經費。預計在未來三年 間，非教學人員的編制將會每年縮減 5%。教師的編制則祇會略為縮減：從原 定的528人減至520人(以相當於全職聘 用名額計算)。與此同時，大學已經著 手重整各項行政作業程序，務求精簡高 效；目標是要把冗餘的程序、累贅的文 書、及繁瑣呆板的作業精簡至最低程 度，讓職員們工作得更有效率、更有生 氣，甚至生活素質有所提高。

科大的定位和策略發展

展望將來，我們需要為大學定位和制訂 一套發展策略，以配合科大進入成熟階 段，振翅高飛。

科大必須注重香港的特色，發揮香港的 優勢。我在去年的年報中提及：'我看 到的香港，不單指特區境內的235個島 嶼和一個半島；必須站得高些，看得遠 些，注目珠江海岸。'

科大的根據地應該是我所稱為'香港灣區'的地帶。'香港灣區'是一個概念，不是一個政 治實體，因此沒有明確的地界。如附圖所示，它大體上涵蓋的範圍包括香港特區，以及由深 圳、南沙、珠海沿海區鎮所組成的一個等邊三角形裏面的地帶。

'香港灣區'將會發展成為全國性和國 際化的文化勝地、教育中心、科技前驅 、金融重鎮、電訊及運輸樞紐、旅遊熱 點、和現代化的服務業及製造業基地。 這個新的國際級大都會將會成為發展華 南的動力之源和樞紐。此外，'香港灣 區'的怡人景色和優美環境會聞名於 世，有利當地居民生活素質的提升。

'香港灣區'是我們的家園。科大會在 這兒建立自己的運作和發展基地，並從 這個根據地向四周延伸，為全國以至全 世界的教育和科技作出貢獻。我們為科 大在中國和國際上定位時，應該從這個 根據地出發，放眼全國、東亞、以至全 球。科大一定要成為中國最優秀的學府 之一，並且要在各個自選的卓越領域裏 走在國際前端，被公認為世界一流的研 究型大學。

科大銳意在一些領域裏創造卓越的成 就，同時又想成為一所全面的綜合性研 究型大學。對一所規模有限的大學來 說，這樣的定位必須選擇一些同類型教 研機構，與它們結成極為紮實、親密的 合作夥伴，以圖優勢互補。

最近，科大簽訂了兩項協議。一是與霍英東基金簽訂的，要在珠江三角洲的正中央-番禺市 的南沙區-合力建立一個大規模的資訊科技園區。一是與北京大學簽訂的，要在香港特別行 政區的緊鄰-深圳市的南山區-合力籌建一個大規模的多元化研究院。這些合作協議，加上 我校與內地、東亞、北美、和西歐的一些科研、產業機構所組成的策略性聯盟，將令我們超 越規模的限制，開展更為廣泛的教研工作。

科大與本地發展息息相關

我們為大學定位和做策略性發展計劃的 最終目的，是要根據大學的創校宗旨， 更有效地為香港及鄰近地區的經濟及社 會發展作出貢獻。

去年年底開始浮現的亞洲經濟危機，把 香港捲入了漩渦。其實香港以前經歷多 次經濟困境，每次都能滿懷信心地面對 和克服逆流。不過這次的顛波好像對香 港的衝擊來得特別大，而港人對這次衝 擊比以前更感到困擾。為什麼信心會如 此薄弱？我認為最主要的原因是：今次 的經濟復甦需要依靠科技，科技又源於 教育，而科技和教育在香港的發展過程 上正是兩個比較薄弱的環節。我們的經 濟基礎並不十分穩固。

科大的使命卻正是科技和教育。因此我 可以肯定，科大在協助香港和鄰近地區 擺脫經濟困境的任務上，已經走上了正 確的路。科大所能貢獻的包括：

* 配合香港在經濟和社會轉型過程 中的需要，培訓合適的高素質人 材； * 協助本地工商業邁向高增値領 域，提高他們的競爭力； * 幫助香港轉型為一個以高科技和 創新為動力的知識密集社會； * 支持和發展未來社會所必需的基 礎科學、文化、環境、和高生活 素質；及 * 幫助'香港灣區'發展成為二十 一世紀的世界級大都會。

通過政府的積極領導和支持，香港一定 可以從今天的經濟困境中突圍，回復可 觀的經濟面貌。香港科技大學已束裝就 緒，與特區政府、工商業界和廣大港人 團結一致，並肩齊進，以科技和教育協 助香港復興經濟，邁向更高更遠的境 界。

校長報告

人物

匯聚人才，超越界限，邁步向前

本年度的起點，是一個極有歷史意義的日 子-1997年7月1日。從這天起，香港便正 {????}^歸母體，1997年這個界限，永遠成為 過去。

回歸後的頭一年，科大裏的人與事，都隨 之有所轉變：科大正門的五星紅旗，在風 中飄揚；在中國國歌高奏下，第五屆學位 頒授典禮由香港特別行政區行政長官主 持；凡此種種，莫不在提醒大學同人，我 們已踏進一個新時代，面對著新的機遇和 挑戰，新的榮譽與成就正等著我們，大學 上下，正邁向一個更踏實、更有前景的未 來。

學生及校友

在校學生

據1997年12月31日紀錄，大學共有學生 7,176 名(相等於6,855 個全日制學額， FTE)，其中本科生5,649人，研究生1,527 人(1,206 FTE)。

在本年度的學位頒授典禮中，共有1,802名本科生及373名研究生獲頒學位。今年度大學頒授 了40 個博士學位。

典禮上有15位本科畢業生脫穎而出，獲頒 科大學業成就奬。他們的學業成績全部達 甲級以上。這15位同學是：

何智欣〔會計學〕

余穎詩〔生物學〕

周麗珊〔會計學〕

林智勇〔計算機科學〕

許瑞宋〔會計學〕

陳健德〔生物學〕

陳澤强〔財務學〕

葉定邦〔計算機科學〕

廖舜康〔財務學〕

劉夢琳〔組織管理學〕

鄭嘉誠〔土木及結構工程學〕

黎柏祥〔電子工程學〕

盧志華〔電子工程學〕

盧智傑〔計算機科學〕

譚漢强〔財務學〕

本年度裏，科大誕生了首批女博士，一共 五位，今屆學位頒授典禮中，她們披著博 士袍，英姿颯颯地接受了學位。這五位科 大女博士為：

王麗婭〔機械工程學〕

邢軍〔生物學〕

胡文清〔化學〕

章曉聯〔生物化學〕

葛虹〔生物學〕

科大學生數年前已組織及參加與內地院校的交流活動，去年迎回歸，帶起了兩地學生溝通交 流的高潮。今年度這方面的發展依然繼續，但隨著科大交換生人數的增加，科大學生有更多 機會，與不同的傳統文化溝通、交流，是以科大今年的校園生活，更像一個國際大家庭聚會 。

科大與全球五十多所著名學府建立了交換 生計劃，每年有百多位學生赴笈歐、澳、 美、加及內地學府，同時亦有大批國際學 生來科大學習。在科大這個大家庭裏，無 論是否交換生，都會因交換計劃而得益， 有很多拓視野、開眼界的機會。

1998年4月科大的國際日，便是個好例 子。來自法、德、日、韓、英、美等國家 的學生老師們，與本地內地的同學、同事 一起，預備自己的傳統美點，互相分享， 亦有表演項目，那是一次很成功的活動。

科大學生的體育文化活動不單多姿多彩， 而且奪標頻頻。最好例子，是科大男子划 艇隊，在第三{????}畮鉹j學划艇錦標賽中三 度奪魁，取得了有舵四人艇、無舵四人艇 及八人艇賽的金牌，確是令人鼓舞。

對於身體殘疾的學生，科大的校門是敞開 的。大學本年度首次收錄三位有聽覺障礙 的同學，大學提供了特別支援，讓他們順 利上課學習，投入校園生活。

校友

儘管香港受到亞洲金融風暴所累，本年度大學畢業生的就業表現極為出色。1,802位本科畢業生中，98%已於1997年底成功就業，或繼續深造，其中更有近大半(73%)學生獲兩份或以上的聘書。

本屆畢業生的受聘機會較上年度為多，薪 酬也更高，他們的基本月薪平均中位數為 $11,500，增長近一成。

在今屆芸芸的畢業生中，値得一提的是五 位抱著創業雄心的年青人：李穎超、蔡偉 棠、關立信、王若穎、梁健强。1998年3 月份，他們與一位商人合作，成立 Veridata公司，並得到了產業育成中心的 協助，研究開發一套語音處理系統，計劃 於一年半後將產品投入市場。行政長官董 建華先生1998年5月5日訪問科大時，特別 到產業育成中心參觀他們小小的辦公室。 董建華先生當時說：'這些年輕人的創意 和企業精神深深打動我。從他們身上，我 知道我們可將創新技術發展的構思變為現 實。'

科大校友會已辦有九個屬會，會員總數超 過1,300人。本年度內先後成立了四個屬 會，分別由會計學系、土木及結構工程學 系、划艇隊及手球隊的畢業同學成立。屬 會積極舉辦各項活動，如職業講座、大型 聚餐、體育比賽等，增强了校友間的聯 繫，亦逐步建立强大的科大校友網絡。

為加强畢業同學對母校的歸屬感，大學基 金發展處編撰了一份新刊物《校友通訊》 季刊，專門報道校友活動和近況。《校友 通訊》創刊號，已於1998年2月18日出 版。

教師與職員

名揚校外

本年度科大教師學術成就超卓，蜚聲國 際，年內有特別多的教師獲頒榮譽名銜與 奬項，他們在學術界的貢獻，是有目共睹 的。

電機及電子工程學系李澤湘博士，獲中國 國家科學技術委員會頒授國家自然科學 奬。 經濟學系李龍飛教授，憑他傑出而 豐富的學術著作，榮登'經濟計量學者榮 譽廊'的第三位，被著名經濟學刊物《經 濟計量學理論》列為全球前三位最有成就 的經濟計量學家之一。

組織管理學系主任徐淑英教授獲美國管理 學會頒院士名銜；徐淑英教授參與創作的 一篇關於勞資關係的論文，被該會的人力 資源管理部頒授1998年學術成就奬。此 外，徐教授獲《行政管理科學季刊》頒授 1998年大奬，表揚她過去五年間在理論及 研究方面的重大貢獻。

電機及電子工程系主任陳正豪教授，獲著名的《伊迪思亞洲雜誌》頒授1997年'創新發明家 年奬'，表揚他在電子設計方面的傑出成就和創意。

土木工程學系陳俊文博士，獲美國土木工 程學會頒授1998年先進技術奬，表揚他在 建築領域的創見。

數學系穆默博士，被選任國際信息處理會 數値軟件部委員。

計算機科學系韓隸博士與學生王立新合寫 的一篇論文，在第十二屆國際信息網絡會 議中被評為最佳作品。

組織管理學系Alan MEYER 教授，獲美國 管理學會頒院士名銜。

科大教師在學術上成績斐然，科大的職員也不遑多讓。今年度裏校產管理處便以優良服務， 獲國際設施管理協會頒'1997金圈奬'。這奬項首次頒給一所大學，也是第一次頒給美國以 外的機構。

內{????}⑹{????}

本年度大學聘任了首位'科大講座教 授'。獲此殊榮的是理學院前院長張立綱 教授。'科大講座教授'職銜的頒發，乃 按照嚴格的遴選程序進行，藉以表揚既有 國際學術地位又對大學有巨大貢獻的教 授。

為感謝退休教授對大學的貢獻，大學亦首 次頒授了'榮休教授'職銜予三位在1998 年6月30日退休的同事。他們是謝定裕教 授、沈智剛教授、及平岡弘之教授。

大學亦於同年度委任以下人士擔任高級教 務職位：

張啓光教授，化學系主任

雷明德教授，物理學系主任

由1997年7月1日起，大學在'香港科技大 學僱員公積金計劃'下原有的'界定利益 計劃'外，成立了一項新計劃，稱為'投 資選擇計劃'。該計劃屬固定供款形式， 為成員提供不同風險及回報率的投資選 擇，成員可自行決定如何投資戶口內的基 金。所有於1997年7月1日或以後參加大學 公積金計劃的僱員，都會成為該新計劃的 成員。至於1997年7月1日以前加入公積金 計劃的僱員，可選擇留在'界定利益計 劃'或轉調至新計劃。經過兩次轉調安排 後，共約29%的原計劃成員轉調至新計 劃。

大學在1997-98年度訂定的編制總人數為 2,350人。面對著緊縮開支政策，大學於 年中開始凍結人員編制。截至1998年6月 30日止，大學在職僱員人數相等於2,221 全職人次，較編制人數低逾5%。大學準備 在未來三年繼續減省非教學人員開支每年 5%，主要透過員工自然流失來進行。

大學教務委員會

本年度教務委員會除制訂了多項學術政策 外，還推出多項措施，以强化教與學素質 的保證過程。當中包括成立多個專責委員 會，直接監察下述工作：改進教與學素質 、强化通識教育、及强化語文教育。

年內，各項措施滲透到每個學系，系內已 强化機制，改善課程管理，和增進師生溝 通。

大學本年度的教與學素質保證過程工作， 已到非常具體的地步，相關措施正促使教 師互相切磋，分享優質教學經驗。

榮譽與奬項

大學回歸後首次學位頒授典禮，於1997年 11月13日起，一連三天舉行，是為第五 屆。五位傑出人士獲頒授榮譽學位：

葛守仁教授〔榮譽工程學博士〕

潘國濂博士〔榮譽工商管理學博士〕

沈元壤教授〔榮譽理學博士〕

蘇海文博士〔榮譽文學博士〕

謝志偉博士〔榮譽法學博士〕

在典禮中，社會科學部張清明博士，獲頒 科大的最高教學榮譽奬-祁敖卓越教學服 務奬章。

第四屆學生會會長陳佩瑤獲頒'張鑑泉卓 越學生服務奬'，陳佩瑤去年度與學生會 幹事會積極籌劃'迎接九七'等各項活 動，鼓勵師生交流，貢獻良多。

大學顧問委員會、校董會 大學顧問委員會和校董會，分別是科大的最高諮詢機構和決策機構。回歸首年，兩個最高機 構，有多項特別榮譽與慶典，極堪一記。

回歸首天，校董會主席鍾士元議員和顧委 會委員查濟民博士，獲特區頒發最高榮譽 的大紫荊勳章。

同日裏，鍾士元議員及顧委會委員李國能 博士，分別就任特區行政會議召集人和終 審法院首席法官。

特區政府於1998年6月底公布第二批授勳 人士名單。顧委會委員邵逸夫博士獲頒大 紫荊勳章。顧委會委員劉皇發議員及羅康 瑞博士獲頒金紫荊星章。

這年度，亦是科大校董會創立的第十週 年。十年前，科大在校董會領導下茁壯成 長，直到今天，成就驕人。在1998年4 月，兩個最高機構成員濟濟一堂，共慶此 饒有意義的盛事。

跨過1997，香港特區與珠江海岸勢將打成一片。校董會預期，珠江三角洲的迅速發展，將替 廿一世紀帶來極多機會，而香港更有條件成為這區的心臟。校董會正積極支持大學朝此方向 努力，協助本區發展，藉此服務特區，貢獻祖國。

顧委會於1998年4月16日舉行週年大會。 校長吳家瑋教授在會上作報告，回顧大學 鞏固計劃過去一年的進展，並作出前瞻， 策劃未來。

顧委會屬下小組也在會上匯報工作。行政 人員教育小組召集人羅康瑞博士提到，大 學的'行政人員工商管理碩士課{????} 在今 年度裏首屆招生，非常成功。

蘇海文博士任文化與藝術工作小組召集 人，他透露了一系列構思與計劃，讓科大 校園更具美感，更富文化氣息。

本年度顧委會及校董會有兩項重要的人事 變動。李國能博士辭退校董會職務，重返 顧委會；鄭維健博士因獲委任為大學教育 資助委員會主席，於1998年4月退出顧委 會。 人物

教學

1997-98年度，大學將'教與學素質保證過程檢討'訂為優先工作。期{????}h項相關活動全面展開，改進教與學素質的主題貫串著整個學年。

其一，教務委員會訂定新政策的同時，又設立了多個委員會，以持續不斷地改

進教學素質。一個新成立的常務委員會 亦訂立了指引，以推廣教與學素質保證 過程。教務委員會又訂下新政策來界定 各學系應負的責任，要求他們設立有效 機制，明確課程管理的責任和目標。此

外，各學系須成立'學生 教職員交流會'，由系主任主持，每學期至少見面一次，讓參與 者開心見誠地討論系內的課程與教學事宜。

另外，人文社會科學學院在本年度開辦 副修課程，此舉不單豐富本科生的學習 經驗，也提高他們畢業後的就業前景。 工商管理學院的教師繼續為香港和本地 區的經濟發展作出貢獻，並積極為國際 市場發掘和出版本地區的商業案例。理 學院和工學院的教師們為實驗課發展多 媒體教材，並積極協助本地中、小學教 師們把資訊科技應用在教學工作中。

値得一提的，是各學院提升助教素質的 努力。本學年初，各學系多了一批資深 研究助理的幫助，他們憑豐富的助教經 驗，與教學技術中心合作，進一步改善 了助教培訓課程。大學為所有新研究助 理舉辦了一個迎新日，讓他們熟識科 大，及了解日後的助教工作。 新研究 助理亦受邀參加各種不同工作坊，為日 後工作做好預備。由1997年8月25日至9 月5日期間，共有697人次參加了全部38 次工作坊，平{????}C位參加者出席了3.5 次工作坊，當中包括了經驗豐富的資深 研究助理，他們工作熱心盡力，可見一 斑。

各學院在過去幾年裏一直在努力提高同 學的語文(包括中文和英文)水平。科大 畢業生在專業水平上一點都不低，須努 力的是要提高他們以兩文三語溝通的能 力，讓他們可以清晰而有條理地表達自 己的思維-這是現今社會競爭環境下非 常重要的才能。

教學方法上的創新，今年又有新猷。一 群教師別出心裁，設計了一個低成本的 課堂答題系統，名為'易答靈'，他們 利用紅外線科技，讓學生在課上回應老 師問題，學生們的答案，老師可透過系 統記錄，並整理成圖表，一目瞭然。

易答靈系統能刺激討論，鼓勵互相切 磋，是一個行之有效的教學新科技。這 系統現已註冊專利，本年度裏已在課堂 成功試驗多次，日後將推廣應用。此 外，工學院新設的教學技術創新中心， 亦積極工作，努力發展多種嶄新教學技 術。

大學教育資助委員會對科大提升教與學 素質的努力，甚為肯定。該會主席於 1998年6月15日致函大學時說：'本會 期望提出的，是香港科技大學在教與學 素質保證過程檢討的努力，既是認眞， 而且具有深度與廣度。'如此鼓舞的說 話，可知大學已為改進教與學素質而奠 下良好基礎，但大學同人絕不因此而鬆 懈，因為要改進的地方還有很多。

研究與開發

科大與內地科研機構本年度進行多方面合作，開展了多項重要合作計劃：

一. 1997年11月，科大與中國科學院簽署協 議，建立納米材料與技術聯合實驗室。實驗 室設於科大，它是科大與中科院協同建立的 第三個實驗室，規模最大，雙方{????}章磥O强 勁的研究團隊參與。

二. 科大與霍英東基金合作，計劃在廣東番 禺南沙，共同開發資訊科技園區，從事高科 技培訓、技術開發及產業發展，目標是促使 香港與珠江三角洲區域，在廿一世紀時成為 一個世界性高科技實業及技術中心。籌備工 作已在積極進行中。

三. 科大與廣州中山大學合作的一個大型項 目-在珠江和近岸海域研製和設立'近岸環 境要素立體監測示範系統'-獲中國政府撥 款650萬元人民幣資助研究，這是獲撥款最 高的'863'開發項目之一，也是香港首次 有研究機構獲'863'撥款。

四. 與北京大學合作，在香港特別行政區比 鄰-深圳市南山區-合力籌建一個大規模研 究院，進行合作研究、行政人員培訓和高技 術產業培育等計劃。

此外，還有許多的合作計劃正在商談之中。 與內地科研學術合作的加强，反映了回歸後 兩地互助合作、集中力量研究開發的趨勢。

另一方面，大學校長與副校長(學術)、副校 長(研究及發展)、各學院院長及其他高層人 員曾組成訪問團，先後到華東和北京地區訪 問，與當地的著名學府、研究單位、及相關 的政府部門互相交流。兩次訪問都為大學帶 來豐富而實質的成果，加强與內地教研單位 的關係，對未來從大陸遴選研究人員及學生 方面，亦有裨益。

研究經費

在這歷史性的一年中，科大的研究實力保持 著顯著的發展，在本年度內，大學繼續從多 種途徑籌得研究資金。連同研究資助局，其 他政府部門、非牟利團體、及工商機構共向 科大提供了2.25億元研究經費，較去年的 1.71億元有30%的增長。

今年香港研究資助局撥款7,990萬元，作為 科大1998-99年度的研究經費。科大共提出 233個研究項目，結果143個獲得撥款，成功 率達61%，為所有大專院校之首。

學術研究 本年度內大學的學術研究有著出色的表現，以下是較具代表性的一些研究成果：

* 腫瘤細胞中新型細胞週期抑制因子的 發現 * 發展高敏感度的生物分子方法以篩選 中草藥的藥理及毒理成份 * 鑒定了新的一組植物生長發育調節物 質 * 提出新的、統一的流體力學計算系 統，在二維流體上優於Eulerian 或 Lagrangian系統 * 製造自行組合的ZnSe量子點，該類量 子點所發射的熒光强度相當於材料塊 體所發射熒光的二十倍 * 分析中國財務制度的改革與標準、銀 行及貨幣制度的變遷、鄉村工業的競 爭和私有化、經濟成長和改革對勞工 遷移及社會動態的影響 * 探討在不穩定情況下成本、銷售額與 利潤的關係、稽核師訴訟、公司董事 責任、以及香港公司的財務公開狀況

應用研究 在過去一年間，大學在應用研究及技術轉移方面，亦有優異的成績，其中的重要項目包括：

* 成立中藥安全信息中心，推出'中藥 文獻資料庫'，為科研人員和工商業 界提供有關中藥應用方面的資料 * 經濟學系林毅夫教授撰寫的《中國的 奇蹟》，被視為處理中國企業管理問 題的重要參考文獻 * 開發大跨度橋樑安全監測系統，並安 裝在珠江口著名的虎門大橋上 * 轉移一項重組皮膚生長因子的生產技 術。此項技術合乎經濟效益，產出的 藥物可治療皮膚損傷及促進皮膚生長 * 開發用於結構建築上的水泥基高效能 複合材料及產品 * 整合高清晰液晶(1,024 X 768 pixels)與控制積體電路於一體，製成 矽素彩色微顯示系統原型 * 開發服裝立體設計軟件。該軟件可進 行互動式的設計，以縮短從設計到生 產的週期 * 為香港赤义角新機場開發的先進風切 變預警系統已在機場啓用後投入服務 * 為香港新機場快線設計安裝强風預警 系統，以確保行車在强風中的安全運 行

組織重整

在本年度，研究開發部門進行組織重整；經 整合後研發部門與學術部門的關係更為密 切，預期大學的研究成果將可更有效的實行 技術轉移，以促進香港產業的科技化。

經改組後研究開發{????}]括以下單位：

研究及經費統籌處

尋找研究資助來源，協助教師撰 寫研究建議、報告及論文，管理 研究資金，管理研究信息資料 庫，提交研究活動報告

科大工業聯盟

協助開展工業界的聯繫與合作， 安排專業發展及訓練課程，推廣 科技應用

技術轉移中心

與工業界及技術市場進行正式聯 繫，協助教師與工業界發掘合作 機會，協助技術開發活動，支援 技術轉移項目

應用科技中心

開發及管理應用技術計劃及示範 計劃，進行試驗性生產及負責商 品化前期各項活動

產業育成中心

由科大與香港工業科技中心公司 合辦，協助高科技公司的發展。 前期提供服務，包括市場、行政 、財務、技術、人才、試驗、及 聯繫網絡等協助，以減低創業風 險，該中心設於科大

香港科大研究開發有限公司

為科大知識產權進行商品化及市 場推廣，管理風險性創業基金， 協助產業育成中心的工作

在上述機構協作下，研究開發部門將能有更 好的部署，可進一步為本港及珠江口岸的經 濟發展提供貢獻。

研究與開發 校園發展

今年度裏校園給人更寬敞的感覺。多座教職員及研究 生宿舍已落成使用，而且建好的大學中心亦成為熱門 的社交休閒場所，如今大學同人可以享受更寬闊更完 備的活動空間。

大學在年內繼續大興土木，多項建設集中在教研設施 之上。

於去年動工的一座環境/岩土工程研究設施即將落 成，面積達1,600平方米，將容納60米長的密封式風 洞和超大型離心機，全{????}諵J使用後，將大大强化香 港在環境/岩土工程方面的研究能力。

去年籌備擴建學術大樓的計劃，今年度已動工，預計 於1999年4月完成。擴建{????}鱄捫n寬達6,600平方米， 準備容納多項研究及教學活動在內進行，包括科大研 究開發公司、應用科技中心、技術轉移中心、及產業 育成中心，還有工商管理學院的行政人員工商管理碩 士課程、和中國商業課程。

仍在設計階段的工程，包括一個海岸研究實驗室，面 積1,000 平方米。實驗室位於校園海濱，其上則建一 個六泳道25米長泳池。

値得一提的，是上述兩項工程，包括學術大樓擴建部 份，全{????}H捐贈基金興建，大學謹此向各捐贈機構及 人士致謝。

大學校園在多年的悉心發展下，規模日趨完備，她不 單容納了强大而雄厚的科研實力，更難得是逐漸凝聚 著一股優雅風度，既溫潤文明，又氣勢雄渾，在南中 國海散發著迷人魅力。

校園發展

財務

1997-98 年的財務表現，反映大學進入了鞏固期後， 各方面活動略為放緩；大學需要較寬裕的時間，以吐 故納新，精益求精。

在本年度結算時，大學的總資產淨値為42.34億元， 較去年度的41.05億元為高。 本年度的一般收入增加 了8%，達19.42億元，其中79%，即15.29億元，來自 大學教育資助委員會。另有2.88億學費收入和1.25億 其他收入。

一般開支較去年增加10%，達18.92億元，增幅主要源 於薪酬調整、通貨膨脹、及學生人數的增加(以相等 於全日制學額計算，由6,720名增至6,855名)。

一般收入減去一般開支的剩額，在轉撥至儲備賬後， 本年度錄得1.01億元虧絀。這項虧絀由1995-97年的 盈餘抵銷，令1995-98的三年撥款期達至收支平衡， 與最初的預算胎合。

大學的資產負債表、收支報表、及以每位學生計算的 一般開支約數等財務報表，已摘錄在本年報附錄三 內。此外，詳盡的司庫報告則收錄在另行編印的《財 務報表》內。

捐贈

1997-98年度得到個人、機構、和基金會提供多項捐 贈及承諾捐贈，大學對此深表謝意。

用作大學新翼建築費用的捐贈包括：香港賽馬會慈善 信託基金承諾捐贈4,000萬元，其中765萬元已於年內 捐出；陳曾熙基金會有限公司和陳曾燾博士及夫人捐 出首兩期共1,500萬元捐款，他們總共承諾捐贈2,000 萬元；瑞安有限公司則捐出500萬元，作為第二期捐 款，該公司總共承諾捐贈2,500萬元。

大學發展基金本年度獲捐款達251萬元。其中電視廣 播有限公司和中國銀行信用卡公司分別捐出160萬元 及91萬元。

資助研究的捐款共收到628萬元。其中香港賽馬會慈 善信託基金繼續資助科大生物科技研究項目，本年度 內共撥款570萬元，該基金承諾的資助總額為 1.3 億 元。香港電訊教育基金在年內撥款58萬元，該基金承 諾捐贈一億元，資助香港電訊信息技術研究所。 大 學在本年度共頒發了313 項奬學金，總金額677萬 元；另外分派380 項助學金和貸款，總金額185萬 元。値得一提的，是捷成教育基金把過去一年的投資 收益共136萬元捐贈科大，作為奬助學金之用。

本年度私營機構為教師的學術研究共提供達434萬元 的資助，其中主要有：裘槎基金會共捐贈151萬元， 資助七項研究計劃；Rockwell Automation 公司捐贈 116萬元，資助一個工業工程研究計劃。

另一方面，資助籌辦國際會議、研討會、學術交流、 學生活動等方面的捐款，總額達到162萬元。

大學在本年度的現金捐贈及承諾捐贈總値達8,340萬 元。

大學還收到多項實物捐贈，其中包括儀器、電腦軟件 、書籍等，總値約360萬元。其中惠普香港有限公司 慨贈總値280萬元的多媒體電腦和伺服器，供電腦網 絡空間中心及計算機科學系的本科生實驗室使用。

財務

大事紀要〔選錄〕

本年度的盛事極多，但礙於篇幅所限，無法盡錄。以下選 錄的事件，各具特色，大家覽閱一遍，或能窺科大年內姿 采生活的全豹。至於未被選輯的事件(包括許多在過去一年 間舉行的講座、研習班及研討會等學術活動)，其實也是大 學發展歷程的重要部分。

1997年7月

七月四日，科大鑼鼓喧天。前來香港慶回歸的兩個 表演團體-中國陜西省韓村農民鑼鼓藝術團，及安塞腰鼓 隊-為科大同人獻上一台精彩鼓舞。是日校園，盡見黃土 雄風，聲震特區。(近千名來港慶回歸的內地表演者住宿於 科大校園，令整所大學更添節日氣氛)

175位優秀中六學生，參加了工學院的工科夏令營 ，當中的65位女學生，受邀出席'全女班'晚宴，席上講 者以現身說法，介紹女性投身工程專業的機會。今年舉辦 夏令營還有理學院的生物系、化學系、和物理系等。

1997年8月

為促進華南海岸海洋科學的發展，科大與廣州中山大學合 辦'97海岸海洋資源與環境學術研討會'。

星體天文物理國際會議(1997)在科大召開，近百位世界知 名天文學家參與這一次盛會。這是天文學界在香港舉行的 首個國際會議。

國際生產工程研究協會國際會議在科大舉行開幕 式。今次會議主題是'全球製造業紀元的高新設計及製 造'。臨時立法會主席范徐麗泰應邀剪綵，並在會議上致 辭。

1997年9月

科大與香港科學館合辦一系列普及科學講座，其中之一是 由生物學系于常海博士在尖沙咀科學館向公眾講解'廿一 世紀遺傳基因之謎'。

香港材料研究學會9月22日舉行成立典禮。該會宗 旨是促進材料學研究開發，並推廣國際學術交流。翌日， 科大舉行高新材料研究所學術會議，多位國際知名材料學 家在會上作專題報告。

科大舉行預科同學日。逾15,000位準大學生，把科 大擠得水洩不通。他們聽講座，瀏覽攤位，和參觀教學設 施。到黃昏日落，眾人滿載而歸。

1997年10月

科大健兒在第五屆水運會上，再創佳績，刷新六項 紀錄。今屆的全場總冠軍是工商管理學院。

旅居巴黎的中國雕刻家王克平作客科大，任駐校藝 術家。校園同時舉辦'王克平個展'，展出四十多件木 雕。王在科大期間，在校園生活中覓得靈感，創作了最新 一件木雕作品，安放校園內。

科大顯示技術研究中心與精電公司合作，成功開發一項高 技術低成本液晶製造技術，並在香港一個國際電子技術展 中展出。

科大'環境及持續發展研究所'舉行新聞發佈會， 公佈'九七全球珊瑚礁考察'結果。考察發現全球淺海下 的珊瑚礁已遭受破壞，其中95%是由人為因素造成。是項全 球性考察由科大環境及持續發展研究所組織，為響應九七 國際珊瑚年而舉辦。

1997年11月

第五屆學位頒授典禮隆重舉行。1,802位本科生及 373位研究生獲頒授學位。

中國科學院與科大簽署協議，共同建立'納米材料與技術 聯合實驗室'。 實驗室總部設於科大，是中科院與科大合 建的第三所、亦是最大的一所聯合實驗室。

人文學{????}言艄輕銌臚@所華南研究中心，探討華南 社會的歷史、文化及社會經濟的變遷。

'版苑擷英-中國美術學院版畫系教師作品展'， 四十多幅展品反映了中國新興版畫近五十年的變化。

1997年12月

北京中央電視台在晚上黃金時間的'科海放談'節 目中，一連三輯介紹科大。這個全國播放節目，概述科大 建校短短幾年來的成就，包括教學、研究及開發，與內地 科教界的合作，和科大在'香港灣區'建立發展基地的遠 見。

工商管理學院瑞安經管中心，在香港會議 中心舉辦成立後首次研討{????}中國投資策略研討會'。 七百多位工商界領袖、企業主管、和知名學者出席。香港 特別行政區行政長官董建華先生發表主題演講。

科大與交通大學〔新竹〕簽署合作意向書，共同成 立'中文萬維網聯盟'。聯盟將帶頭領導工商界和學術 界，開發中文的萬維網應用技術。

中國國家航天局科學技術委員會副主任莊逢甘教 授，應科大理學院之邀，在'科學名人講座'中演講，題 目為：'中國太空科技-成就與發展'。

1998年1月

由恆隆發展公司資助的恆隆組織管理研究中心正式 成立。中心旨在加强中國企業組織的研究，建立學術研究 人員及企業主管之間的橋樑，並為內地企業培訓管理人 才。

由工商管理學院與美國西北大學Kellogg管理研究 院合辦的行政人員工商管理碩士課程，本月裏正式開課。

由大學校長吳家瑋教授率領副校長、院長及多位高 級教授組成的代表團，訪問了華東地區，期間與復旦大學 、南京大學及上海交通大學簽署多項學術交流協議，進一 步加强雙方的長期合作關係。

來自14個國家和地區的三百八十多位化學家雲集科大，參 加了'前沿化學研討會暨第二{????}@界華人青年化學家學術 會議'。

二百多位來自美國、澳洲、及亞洲各地的嘉賓，出 席了圖書館召開的第四屆信息科學研討會。本屆大會主題 是'圖書館中文信息處理'。

1998年2月

157位中學校長和老師，參加了科大舉辦的校長日 研討會。會上他們與大學代表集中討論中學資訊科技教育 的推廣，並商議如何與科大在這方面加强合作。

'中國旅程"98裝置藝術展'在展覽廳開幕。16位 來自世界各地的藝術家參與展出，這是一次跨地域、跨媒 界的創作交流盛會。

中共中央黨校李民博士，應社會科學部邀請，在科大演 講，題為'中國共產黨與中國改革'。

1998年3月

香港高等教育展覽"98於九龍龍堡國際賓館舉行， 科大的多媒體展出攤位廣受歡迎，蒞臨參觀的高中生甚 眾，{????}鬻顜Y席一嘗上網樂趣。

九七諾貝爾物理學奬得主朱棣文教授，在科大舉行 了一場科學名人講座，題為'用檢測單個分子運動來進行 多聚體及生物物理研究'。

第二屆'工商奇才指導論壇'開幕。這是一個廣受 學生歡迎的就業輔導活動，今年邀請到香港特別行政區副 房屋局局長梁展文到臨，與科大學生分享他擔任公職多年 的經驗。

1998年4月

大學校董會成立十周年。

中國科學院院長路甬祥教授蒞臨科大，主持中國科 學院香港院友會成立典禮。大學校長吳家瑋教授獲選為院 友會首屆會長。

科大消費電子實驗室成立，目標是與本地工業界合 作，為未來家居創造更先進的電子消費品。

五百多位中三學生，校服畢挺，在兒童節當天到科 大校園，參加'數學遊蹤1998'活動。

著名學者、哈佛大學李歐梵教授在科大舉行人文學名人講 座，題為'張愛玲與電影'。講座由人文學部舉辦。

1998年5月

香港特別行政區行政長官董建華先生訪問科大，參 觀了多項設施和實驗室。對於大學教研人員和學生在創新 科技的熱誠和努力，他感受特別深，並對此稱許不已。

著名學者T. P. Tassios教授在科大舉行兩場工程學名人講 座，題目為：'古希臘科技'和'在持續發展過程中出現 的道德政治問題'。

科大圓桌晚宴繼續舉行'歐亞講座系列'。捷成洋行董事 總經理捷成漢先生擔任主講嘉賓。上次圓桌晚宴於97年11 月12日舉行。由歐洲委員會香港辦事處總監駱一德先生主 講。

東亞研究型大學協會第三次理事會於科大舉行。會 議由應{????}D席、浦項工科大學校長張水榮教授主持。

1998年6月

兩年一度的'亞太生物技術會議暨生物博覽會'在 科大舉行第六屆會議，四百多名學者參加，一起探討生物 技術在醫藥、農業及環境造成的影響。

由大學校長吳家瑋教授率領副校長、院長及多位高級教授 組成的代表團，訪問北京，並與北京大學及清華大學簽訂 學術交流協議，加强雙方的長期合作關係。其中與北大簽 訂的協議，更反映兩所大學至為緊密的學術聯繫。

中德納米分析實驗室開幕禮，由吳家瑋校長及德國 駐港總領事葛斯先生主持。實驗室可讓中、德兩國學者和 工業伙伴合作，聯手發展生物感應器和生物分子器件等創 新科技。

大事紀要〔選錄〕