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Tag: Lingnan University

Lingnan University is committed to achieving Sustainable Development Goals

Posted on by Editorial Team

In 2015 the United Nations adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the focal point of a global campaign to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that every person in the world is in a position to enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.

The spirit of the SDGs aligns perfectly with Lingnan University’s commitment to “Education for Service”. This commitment is embedded in the university’s research programmes, teaching and learning practices, knowledge transfer activities, social engagement projects, entrepreneurship initiatives, corporate governance, and administration.

While initiatives launched at Lingnan University have had success across the full range of SDGs, some particularly impactful projects are well worth highlighting.

To mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on less privileged households, including those in subdivided flats, the Lingnan Entrepreneurship Initiative (LEI) team devised a Mobile UV-C system. This has provided a free and efficient UV disinfection service for 1,000 such homes, helping to prevent the spread of the virus in Hong Kong. Based on this technology, a smart Autonomous UV-C Disinfection Robot was also developed to provide fast and effective UV disinfection in large indoor establishments.

Two other inventions devised by the LEI team have recently received ‘Golds’ at the MUSE Design Awards in the Conceptual Design category. One is a control system that improves wheelchair safety for both users and carers. The other is a transparent air-filtration mask, the 12° Mask, that allows the hearing impaired to read lips while still providing ASTM Level 3 protection, the highest level.

In terms of the UN goals, these innovations fall within the criteria for achieving SDG 3, Health and Well-being; SDG 4, Quality Education; and SGD 9, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.

To help graduates in tackling the adverse effects of the pandemic, Lingnan established the 2020 Graduate Support Fund. The assistance provided by the fund ranges from training and tuition fee waivers to psychological counselling. More broadly, the increased range of  financial aid Lingnan University offers local and non-local students is in line with the aims of SDG 1, No Poverty; SDG 10, Reduced Inequality; and SDG 4, Quality Education.

Because it is often possible to achieve a greater impact working together with other institutions and bodies, Lingnan has formed several key external partnerships. One such collaboration is with the South China University of Technology, which has resulted in the establishment of the Joint Research Centre for Greater Bay Area Social Policy and Governance. This exciting project fulfils key criteria in SDG 17, Partnerships for the Goals, and SDG 8, Decent Work and Economic growth.

In partnership with the Hong Kong Jockey Club, and in line with SDG 3, Good Health and Well-being, and SDG 17, Partnerships for the Goals, the three-year LU Jockey Club Gerontechnology and Smart Ageing Project has been established to support local communities, educators, students, service providers, and most importantly, the elderly and their carers.

More information on the contribution Lingnan University has made to achieving the full spectrum of SDGs can be found on the University’s SDG website.

Lingnan University’s new MA Concentration in Environment and Sustainability

Posted on by Editorial Team

Last year, Lingnan University launched its MA in Cities and Governance. This programme aims to equip students with the types of practical skills and understandings required to tackle the huge challenges facing today’s mega-cities and regions.

As part of Lingnan’s commitment to developing the programme, and making it as comprehensive and relevant as possible, a new Concentration in Environment and Sustainability has now been added to the options available to students.

Goals of the new concentration

The concentration will provide students with a broad understanding of how environmental and social issues link to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Sustainability, in the form of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), is the subject of one of its new courses. “The course will teach students to advise companies how to involve ESG criteria in their strategies,” says Professor Paulina Wong, Programme Director of the concentration. Climate change is another focus. “We offer a short, intensive course about climate change. We want to give students enough knowledge to communicate the issues in a convincing way.”

Environmental concerns will be investigated at local and city levels, as well as national and global levels, and students will benefit from talks by experts active in the spheres of government, academia, and industry, or working with NGOs. They will also take part in international research and academic programme-related events to gain practical hands-on experience.

With topics approached from an international and regional perspective, and an emphasis on inter-disciplinary training, the concentration will give graduates an advantage when applying for careers in international affairs, city management, and public administration, in both developed and developing economic regions, such as the Greater Bay Area. The concentration is also a valuable grounding for higher-level degrees in related fields.

Lingnan University’s related research work

Prof Wong has recently published the results of two research projects examining the levels of air pollution generated by incense-burning at Hong Kong’s temples.

The studies, conducted by Lingnan’s Science Unit under Prof Wong’s leadership, recorded concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) generated by incense burning, both inside and outside temples, at, respectively, six times and four times the recommended levels. In addition, the team found that the more temples there are in one district, the higher the local mortality rate as a result of respiratory disease. To help minimise the health risks to worshippers and neighbouring residents, the study recommends measures such as the deployment of automatic mist sprayers to reduce smoke dispersion, and the use of incense made from non-toxic substances.

Despite its significant impact on ambient air pollution, Prof Wong said that the effects of incense burning in temples was not included in the measurements used in the air quality index.

“There has been little change in the number of temples over the last century, but their surrounding environment is ever changing; some temples are right next to residential buildings. This had a significant environmental impact, and our results suggest that incense burning may cause long-term air pollution contributing to respiratory diseases and should not be overlooked,” she said.

Lingnan University’s research output is rated “world leading” in prestigious Research Assessment Exercise

Posted on by Editorial Team

Lingnan University’s research output has been rated “world-leading” in some areas, and most of it has reached international standards, according to the results of the University Grants Committee’s (UGC) latest Research Assessment Exercise (RAE).

More than 50 per cent of Lingnan’s research output was rated 4-star (“world-leading”) or 3-star (“internationally excellent”). In terms of research impact, more than half of LU’s impact cases were rated 4-star (“outstanding impacts”) or 3-star (“considerable impacts”).

LU came first out of the eight UGC-funded universities in 4-star output in the Units of Assessment (UoAs) of Sociology & Anthropology (27%), and second in Accountancy (35%), Philosophy (19%), and Social Work & Social Policy (13%). This is the first time that LU’s output was assessed in Sociology & Anthropology and Social Work & Social Policy in the RAE. “Lingnan scholars performed exceptionally well in these two UoAs, demonstrating their research strengths amid intense competition,” said Professor Leonard K Cheng, President of Lingnan University.

The RAE is part of the UGC’s commitment to assessing the performance of UGC-funded universities and is intended to encourage world-class research and drive excellence. The RAE assesses the research quality of Hong Kong’s eight UGC-funded universities by using international benchmarks to assess their areas of strength, and then makes recommendations for improvement. The previous RAE took place in 2014.

In this round of the assessment exercise, 119 LU staff members submitted 431 items of research output in 14 UoAs under the four RAE panels of business and economics, social sciences, humanities, and creative arts, performing arts & design.

Lingnan received a number of commendations from the RAE panels. “The impact case study … there was considerable evidence of its contribution in framing policy and legislation,” adjudicators for the Sociology & Anthropology UoA commented. “Staff in humanities disciplines are achieving good impact for their research,” RAE humanities panellists said.

Lingnan University is committed to helping build a better society and is passionate about making an impact with its research and knowledge transfer (KT) activities. The results of the RAE highlight the impact made by the research of LU scholars and the way the University has directly benefitted the community and business.

Professor Leonard K Cheng, President of Lingnan University

“Lingnan University has achieved remarkable results in the Research Assessment Exercise,” said Professor Cheng.

“Compared to the last RAE, LU scholars have received much better ratings for their research output. LU will continue to contribute to Hong Kong as a regional education hub through offering quality education and impactful research to promote the development of society.”

Find out more about Lingnan’s world-class research projects here.

Lingnan recognizes scholars, students and graduates for excellence in research and knowledge transfer

Posted on by Editorial Team

Lingnan University places a high value on knowledge transfer and original research, especially if it has a demonstrable focus and impact on society. The Research and Knowledge Transfer Excellence Awards, which took place on 19 April 2021, honoured 33 scholars, students, and graduates for their achievements in these areas. The awards also noted the recipients’ success at winning research grants in today’s highly competitive environment.

Four scholars received the Research Output Excellence Award, and four scholars achieved the Young Researcher Award. A further four projects were awarded the new Booster Prize, which rewards commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship which has a positive impact on humanity. Twenty-one scholars received the Research and Knowledge Transfer Fund Award.

Mr Augustine Wong Ho-ming, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Lingnan University, noted that the University ranks first in International Faculty, Inbound Exchange Students, and Outbound Exchange Students in the QS Asia University Rankings 2021. “LU was also named by QS as a Five Star Institution and came second in the world for Quality Education in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings 2020,” Mr Wong said.

Professor Leonard K Cheng, President of Lingnan University, highlighted the unwavering dedication of the awardees. “Their outstanding achievements are evidence of their years of dedication to the creation of knowledge in the Liberal Arts tradition that enhances students’ learning experiences through the betterment of society,” Professor Cheng said.

Professor Cheng noted that for the 2020/21 academic year, the University achieved a 40 per cent increase in funding for projects supported by the UGC’s General Research Fund (GRF), the Early Career Scheme (ECS), and the Humanities and Social Sciences Prestigious Fellowship Scheme (HSSPFS). The cumulative income growth in ongoing social projects and contract research was 209 per cent and 54 per cent last year, with record-breaking amounts of $43.8 million and $25.4 million. A total contract value of $17.6 million for 30 new projects was also supported by the industry, charities, NGOs and government departments.

Lingnan University’s Vice-President Joshua Mok Ka-ho highlighted the University’s research collaborations with prestigious international institutions such as Oxford University, Cambridge University, and University College, London. “We look forward to taking our knowledge transfer work to fruition in raising people’s quality of life and the competitiveness of businesses in the region and beyond,” said Professor Mok.

The new Booster Prize – Social Enterprising recognised four significant start-ups. Asaqua focuses on affordable rainwater harvesting, Gatherly is a skill-exchange online platform for the elderly to enrich their lives in retirement by passing their skills onto the younger generation, Rehome offers household repairs and pest control services to grassroots households and the elderly, and Senmily builds mutual support communities for families and children with Special Education Needs.

Please click here to view Research Excellence, Innovations and Entrepreneurship at Lingnan University.