18
Research
UNIVERSITY
SUBJECTS as diverse as drug addiction and the 'pidginization' of Asian languages were included in the University of Hong Kong's research programme, which was again expanded during the year. The Department of Architecture continued to examine local problems and attention was given to the public and commercial buildings which might be required in the proposed new towns. A multi-storey trade centre for Victoria City was studied and the subject of one of the theses was a rehabilitation centre for Hong Kong. In the Department of Biochemistry the major research projects were concerned with problems of drug addiction, nutrition, and the comparative aspects of metabolism in relation to bio- chemical evolution. Continued investigations into the effects of morphine and other drugs on the hormonal control of metabolism have yielded most encouraging results and this work is being extended. The Department of Botany continued work on the life history and cytology of local seaweeds and the carbohydrate metabolism of Narcissus leaves. The investigation of the Phycomy- cete flora of the soils of Hong Kong and ecological studies on soil fungi progressed satisfactorily. Survey work on the fungal flora of Hong Kong and the collection of specimens for the mycological herbarium also continued steadily. In addition the department is pursuing research in the fields of mechanisms of chemical reac- tions; chemistry of plant products; electrochemistry and inorganic reactions at elevated temperatures; and studies of molecular struc- ture by means of X-ray diffraction.
Research in education in the Colony's schools is being con- ducted, under the chairmanship of the Professor of the Department of Education, by the Hong Kong Council for Educational Research, a body financed by the Asia Foundation. A project covering the scholastic attainment and ability of pupils in primary four, under- taken in five typical government schools with a total of 1,103