ALiVE comes to life
The School of Creative Media will launch the Applied Laboratory for Interactive Visualization and Embodiment (ALiVE) on 25 June to be followed by an inaugural exhibition from 25-29 June. ALiVE, located at Hong Kong Science Park, is a first for Hong Kong. This interdisciplinary research initiative aims to enhance the development of Hong Kong’s creative industries and nurture creativity and talent. Professor Way Kuo, CityU President, Dr Sara Diamond, President of Ontario College of Art and Design, and Chair Professor Jeffrey Shaw, Dean of the School of Creative Media, will officiate at the opening ceremony.

Humour studies
The 22nd International ISHS Humour Conference will be held at CityU from 24-27 June. This distinguished forum of scientific discussions and exchanges in humour studies is organised by the Department of Applied Social Studies and the International Society for Humour Studies. Scholars in the arts and humanities, education and the biological and social sciences plus professionals in counseling, management, nursing, journalism and the theater will discuss the many facets of humour. Areas of focus will include its role in business, entertainment and healthcare as well as how humour varies according to culture, age, gender, purpose and context.

Authoritarianism in East Asia
The Southeast Asia Research Centre is organising a timely and comparative examination of contemporary political institutions in China, Vietnam, North Korea, Hong Kong and Macau at an international conference titled Authoritarianism in East Asia from 29 June to 1 July. More than 30 prominent researchers from universities around the world will share their latest research.

Calling friends
The Development Office will kick off a Telephone Affinity Campaign on 26 June to promote a more caring and giving culture among alumni and students. Student callers from different departments will contact more than 10,000 alumni to update them about the University’s development. This annual fundraising fixture has met with significant success since it was launched in 2008, raising about HK$3 million (including matching grant). It also helps plant a sense of belonging and pride among students.

External appointment
Chair Professor Wang Guiguo, Dean of the School of Law, has been honoured as a titular member of the International Academy of Comparative Law. Professor Wang is the first scholar from the Greater China region to receive this honour, an appointment that reflects the international standing of CityU scholars. The Academy is the premier international body in comparative law and one of the most influential legal academies in the world.

Creative graduation
The annual School of Creative Media graduation show, SCM Annual 2010, will showcase the creative works of graduating students from the master’s, bachelor’s and associate degree programmes through exhibitions and screenings. The aim is to promote multimedia art forms and art education to the community. The photography exhibitions, interactive installations and transdisciplinary media applications will be displayed at Cattle Depot Artist Village from 1-7 July. Animations and films will be screened at the Hong Kong Film Archive and CityU campus from 29 June to 6 July. All the programmes are open to the public for free.