KE Spotlight - Community Engagement - HKU Knowledge Exchange

Mineral treasures of China on display at HKU Stephen Hui Geological Museum

A special exhibition of mineral treasures of China will be held at the HKU Stephen Hui Geological Museum, in association with the Mineralogy Society of HK, until August 30, 2013. Over 50 world-class mineral specimens from private collection of Dr Guanghua Liu will be on display.

HKU establishes the first legal information website for HK seniors

The HKU Law and Technology Centre has developed the first bilingual legal information website for seniors in Hong Kong: the Senior CLIC website (www.s100.hk or www.seniorclic.hk). This website, which is sponsored by the Home Affairs Bureau, provides information on 27 legal topics of concern to seniors.

HKU and Universities in USA find face masks can reduce the spread of influenza

There is very little scientific research on whether wearing surgical face masks can help to reduce the spread of influenza. In view of this, the School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, in collaboration with the University of Maryland and Harvard School of Public Health have conducted a study on this issue and are the first to report that influenza carriers who wear surgical face masks can reduce the amount of viruses being disseminated into the environment by more than 70%, thus reducing the spread of influenza in the community.

Award Presentation Ceremony for Excellence in Teaching, Research and Knowledge Exchange 2012

The University's Award Presentation Ceremony for Excellence in Teaching, Research and Knowledge Exchange 2012 was held on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 in Loke Yew Hall. Starting this year, Knowledge Exchange Awards are presented at the Ceremony.

HKU academic discovers selective use of natural condiments may reduce cancer risk

HKU Biological Sciences Associate Professor Dr Wang Ming-fu discovered that selective use of natural condiments such as grapefruit, tomato sauce and green tea as meat seasoning may significantly reduce cancer risk. By incorporating appropriate cooking methods, such condiments can also lead to the formation of some novel food components that helps preventing cancer. Dr Wang and three other HKU researchers will be presented with University Outstanding Young Research Award 2012 in the Award Presentation Ceremony for Excellence in Teaching, Research and Knowledge Research on March 27.

The largest ever database on night sky brightness developed by HKU reveals very serious light pollution problems in Hong Kong

An HKU research team, led by Dr Jason Pun Chun-shing of the Physics Department, developed the HK Night Sky Brightness Monitoring Network (NSN) in May 2010, which is the largest ever database on night sky brightness. Over 5 million night sky brightness measurements have since been collected. The Hong Kong urban night sky was found to be 100 to 1,000 times brighter than the international dark sky standard between 8:30-11:00pm, making it one of the most light-polluted cities in the world. In European cities like Madrid and Florence, the readings were normally below 100 times the standard. The NSN was funded by the Environment and Conservation Fund of the Environmental Protection Department, and the HKU Knowledge Exchange Fund. Results of the project will provide the scientific basis for the Government in possible developments of regulations on outdoor lighting usages.

A Night at the Museum of Art with Andy Warhol: A unique experience of an overnight event for secondary students

The Hong Kong Museum of Art opened up its doors for the first time at night on February 22 and March 8 for ''A Night at the Museum of Art with Andy Warhol'', an innovative programme co-organised by The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMA). The event drew some 600 secondary school students from 56 local schools to the Art Museum.