KE Spotlight - Community Engagement - HKU Knowledge Exchange

HKU at InnoCarnival 2013

The InnoCarnival 2013, organized by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) as a major event of the InnoTech Month 2013, was held from November 2-10, 2013 in the Hong Kong Science Park. The Technology Transfer Office co-ordinated the University's participation in the InnoCarnival 2013.

HKU study finds Hong Kong Laws inadequate to protect threatened animal and plant species

A new report by the Faculty of Law at The University of Hong Kong has concluded that while existing legislation has played a key role in eliminating most hunting of native terrestrial animals, and limited collection of valuable plant species, several Ordinances are in urgent need of updating. ''A Review of Hong Kong's Wild Animal and Plant Protection Laws'', undertaken by a multidisciplinary team led by animal-law expert Associate Professor Amanda Whitfort, reviewed the effectiveness of the five key ordinances in protecting wild native species in Hong Kong. A total of 15 recommendations for legislative amendments are made with a view to securing the long-term conservation of local biodiversity.

HKU Researchers and Press Council members urge responsible suicide reporting

Professor Paul S.F. Yip, Director of the HKU Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention said some new suicide methods spread out quickly in Hong Kong and to other Asian countries after the media's sensational and misleading coverage. He warned that irresponsible media reporting of suicides encouraged copycats. At a symposium on ''the Contagion of Suicide Reporting'' held at HKU on September 7, 2013, the Hong Kong Press Council released a proposed guideline for the media on how to report suicide cases responsibly and avoid becoming a catalyst for copycat suicides.

Knowledge Exchange Awards 2013

The Faculty Knowledge Exchange (KE) Awards were introduced in 2011 in order to recognize each Faculty's outstanding KE accomplishment that has made demonstrable economic, social or cultural impacts to benefit the community, business/industry, or partner organizations. Results of the 2013 Faculty KE Awards are now available.

HKU plans for new Western Gateway at Western Harbourfront

Professor Anthony Yeh Gar-on, Head and Chair Professor of the Department of Urban Planning and Design of HKU, has completed the Western Harbourfront Conceptual Master Plan for the Central and Western District Council. The plan will improve the public open space at the Western Harbourfront and convert it into a Western Gateway - a new landmark in Hong Kong.

HKU develops voice navigation system for visually-impaired people

HKU's Centre for E-Commerce Infrastructure Development under the Department of Computer Science was allocated $5.5 million by the Innovation and Technology Commission to develop a mobile system for the visually impaired. The system, namely E-Guide, allows visually impaired users to locate themselves and obtain surrounding information on their smartphones through voice messages. The system has been installed in Wong Tai Sin Plaza, Tai Wo Hau MTR Station and HK Arts Centre.

HKU Faculty of Dentistry promotes school teachers training in Dental Emergencies

HKU Faculty of Dentistry found that very few teachers had the necessary know-how of appropriate "first-aid" actions in dental traumas, and Hong Kong has shown a serious lack of relevant teacher-training in the past decade. Partnered with the Anglican (Hong Kong) Primary Schools Council and the Hong Kong Council for Educational Administration, a HKU Student Knowledge Exchange Project Team, mentored by Dr Mike Leung and led by student Miss Tiffany Chan of the Faculty of Dentistry, have run 11 workshops to train primary and secondary school teachers on how to take emergency actions to handle dental traumas caused by falls and collisions that happen at schools. The workshops were attended by a total of 441 primary and secondary school teachers. This equipped the teachers with necessary knowledge to handle the real-life situations more confidently and could help minimize the damage made on students' teeth.