ENG-1976 — Page 104

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Research

EDUCATION

The University of Hong Kong's Centre of Asian Studies in 1976 published a study on Mao Tse-tung and a union catalogue of works relating to Hong Kong in local libraries. The centre also completed a catalogue and study of the mu-yu-shu ('wooden fish books') collection in the university, the taping of nan-yin singing, and a multi-disciplinary study on housing in Hong Kong. New projects undertaken in- cluded the genealogical collection project in association with the Genealogical Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Salt Lake City; the study of entrepreneurship in Chinese society; adaptation of western management techniques for application in Southeast Asia; and comparative Asian industrial relations. Major seminars and conferences organised during the year included the contemporary China seminar, the seminar on modern Chinese literature, and the union carbide seminar. The centre also continued to provide services to visiting researchers and to foster the study of the People's Republic of China, traditional Kwangtung culture and modern Hong Kong.

In the faculty of arts, research is being undertaken in various aspects of English and Chinese language and literature, and in comparative literature. A history work- shop, particularly concerned with Hong Kong history, has been set up. Studies on China and Southeast Asia-both at graduate and undergraduate levels-are a well- established feature of the work of the history and geography departments.

The faculty of social sciences and law is conducting research projects relating to various fields. In economics, on-going research covers different aspects of the Hong Kong economy-such as income and employment, fiscal policy, the banking system, technology and growth. A new department of management studies was established in 1976 to develop management education at all levels, including undergraduate, postgraduate, and post-experience programmes. It is intended that the teaching and research activities will be closely linked to the needs of the wider community in Hong Kong. The department of political science produced a number of studies on Hong Kong government policies and structures as well as theses on the New Terri- tories Administration, minorities in China, and foreign policy in Asian Islamic states. In sociology, several research projects on social problems in Hong Kong are near completion. Studies on industrial relations in the textile industry and on the effect of television viewing are being carried out.

In the department of law, research ranges from Chinese customary law and legal history to international commercial transactions and taxation-both in Hong Kong and overseas. The courses leading to the postgraduate Certificate in Laws have attracted wide interest in professional legal education circles, particularly in Britain and Australia. Members of the staff and postgraduate students organise a legal advice scheme which supplements to a limited degree other similar services avail- able to the community.

Continuing projects in the faculty of science include: the ecology of marine and freshwater organisms; investigations of agricultural pests; studies of local ionospheric, geomagnetic, meteorological and cosmic ray phenomena; and the applica- tion of electrochemistry to plating and storage batteries. Investigations are also being carried out on problems of fouling in freshwater pipelines and sea-water intakes.