KE Spotlight - Community Engagement - HKU Knowledge Exchange

HKU Swire Institute of Marine Science helping local oyster industry

The Hong Kong Oyster (Crassostrea hongkonggensis) is tasty and highly nutritious and has also helped to clean and enrich our deep bay waters, yet the local oyster industry is under threat. Dr V Thiyagarajan of the Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS), led a programme to get the public involved through workshops and hands-on training aimed at raising public awareness and use technology to help local growers. The programme was funded by the HKU Knowledge Exchange Fund and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

HKU WAY Project to launch Mobile Living Museum and new book on the culture of fisheries and water communities in Aberdeen

The HKU We Are With You (WAY) Project, under the Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS), will set up the first Water Community Mobile Living Museum from March 25 to 29, 2016 at the Stanley Community Hall to promote public understanding of the history of local fisheries and the water communities in the Southern District. The book talk was on Memoryscape: Aberdeen Fishermen Oral Histories, which is about fishermen's stories collected through interviews. The book’s author and project research officer Dr Wong Wai-ling moderated at the talk where fishermen shared their memories of Aberdeen, a fishing port leading to the seas where the fishermen made a living, experienced complex emotions and developed their identities.

"Dissecting the Meaning of Life – An Anthology of Essays on Body Donation" shortlisted in the 27th Secondary School Students' Best Ten Books Election

The book "Dissecting the Meaning of Life–An Anthology of Essays on Body Donation" has been selected as one of the shortlisted titles of the 27th Secondary School Students' Best Ten Books Election in Hong Kong. The book was initiated by the HKU Body Donation Programme, which was co-ordinated by Dr Lap Ki Chan, Associate Professor of the Institute of Medical and Health Sciences Education (IMHSE) and School of Biomedical Sciences. It was supported by the HKU Knowledge Exchange Fund and IMHSE.

HKU botanists discover a new plant growth technology that may alleviate climate change and food shortage

A research team led by Dr Wallace Lim Boon-leong with his former student Dr Law Yee-song at the HKU School of Biological Sciences has developed a new strategy to promote plant growth and seed yield by 38% to 57% in a model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, hence increasing CO2 absorption from the atmosphere. The researchers have identified a plant-growth promoting gene, designated as "Purple acid phosphatase 2"(AtPAP2) from the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. AtPAP2 can modulate the import of a number of specific proteins into chloroplasts and mitochondria, and subsequently boost their capability to harvest solar energy and generate adenosine triphosphate. The technology may also have potential in boosting food production to address the problem of food shortage due to overpopulation. Several patent applications have been filed with the assistance of the University's Technology Transfer Office.

Faculty of Architecture’s Knowledge Exchange Report 2013-14/2014-15

HKU Faculty of Architecture presents examples of their activities that illustrate a range of engagements in its Knowledge Exchange Report 2013-14/2014-15. These community engagement projects bring architecture, landscape, conservation and urbanism to the public. There are also examples of projects in which the Faculty works with the community and professionals to help solve community problems.

HKU scientists found Hong Kong coral reef thriving despite pollution

A research team led by Dr David Baker of HKU's School of Biological Sciences found that marine life is thriving despite serious pollution caused by major developments at Hong Kong's busy harbour. The stronger types of coral species are holding on despite the unrelenting conditions, and the scientists are studying how they survive, which may offer hope to habitats under threat globally in the future.

HKU Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy hosts Drug Information Day

HKU Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy of Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine hosted a Drug Information Day at Un Chau Estate, Cheung Sha Wan on August 30, 2015. About 600 people attended. A talk was given on the myth about antibiotics. Students also explained the use of antibiotics to members of the public. Registered pharmacists answered questions the public had about their medication.