About the TalkDo you love mysteries and puzzles? Do you thrill to tales of action and adventure? These literary genres are often ignored on university campuses. However, on November 18th things will be different.David Mole, HKUSTs Associate Provost (Teaching and Learning) talked about some of his favorite reading: mysteries like those of Sherlock Holmes, and Inspector Maigret, and adventures like Patrick OBrians Aubrey-Maturin series.Through vivid commentary and fun examples, he shared what he enjoys about these books, and how they deepened and widened his love of reading. Both long-time fan of mysteries and adventure stories, and people new to these genres, found his talk illuminating and enjoyable.Murder on the High Seas: The Joy of Reading [streaming video]About the SpeakerDr. David Mole received his BA from Cambridge University before moving to Canada for Post-graduate study. There, he earned a Masters degree from the University of British Columbia and a PhD at the University of Toronto.After teaching at a number of universities in Canada and working as an economist for the Ontario government, he moved to Hong Kong in 1989.David joined HKUST in 2005, where his main role has been to support the development of undergraduate education, especially the implementation of the four-year degree. In addition to a keen interest in sport and physical fitness, David has a life-long addiction to the pleasures and rewards of reading.For enquiry, please contact Victoria Caplan at 2358-6786.

About the BookThe DNA of English and the Art of Writing / by Philip Yeung (Forthcoming: Oxford University Press)There are thousands of books on writing, but this is the first to explore how "cracking the DNA of English" opens up many possibilities to write creatively. This is a book beyond grammar. It redirects our attention to the primary purpose of language learning: to write and to speak with impact.Sharing his writers point of view, Mr. Yeung explained his method that encourages you to look for the functions and patterns of language and discover what makes a piece of writing attractive.He considered issues like:What are the functional implications of English being an alphabetical language?Why do we need nouns, verbs, adjectives adverbs, and prepositions?How do sounds generated alphabetically offer possibilities for memorable writing?What areas cause non-native writers to stumble, and why?He also discussed how studying presidential speech writers helped him develop a formula for powerful writing. Whether you are a new writer or an experienced one, Mr. Yeungs talk had something to offer everyone.Power Point Presentation About the AuthorMr. Philip Yeung is speechwriter to the President of HKUST and Senior Communication Manager at the Office of University Development and Public Affairs. He was formerly a freelance speechwriter to many Hong Kong leaders, including the current Financial Secretary and the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury. He was a frequent contributor to the South China Morning Post on English language and education issues, and has delivered effective writing workshops to undergraduate and postgraduate students.Mr. Yeung completed his undergraduate and graduate education at the University of Toronto and studied briefly at Exeter College, Oxford University on a scholarship.In addition to his forthcoming book, The DNA of English and the Art of Writing, he has several other books in preparation: Winning over your Audience: The Neglected Art of Speaking with Impact, Empowerment English for the Disadvantaged, and English for Global Citizens.For enquiry, please contact Victoria Caplan at 2358-6786. 

This event was held in conjunction with HKUSTs 2010 Environment Week.About the BookThe Great Disconnect / by Bill Barron (Multiple locations HD75.6 .B3627 2009)The world economy has grown to the limits of what our planet can sustain. Climate change is the most talked about, but we are also reaching limits of water, crop land, and marine fisheries. The biosphere is too stretched; the system cannot continue as it has for the past several decades."Moving to a more sustainable development path will require making truly basic changes in what, how, and how much is produced and consumed. That, in turn, will require nothing less than restructuring the economy, a make over of consumer lifestyles, and re-examining values."In this work, Dr. Barron raises important questions. Asking these questions is the only way we can ever hope to reach possible answers. Questions like:What is the difference between economic growth and economic development?Can continuing technological advances allow indefinite economic growth?Can market mechanisms substitute for limited natural resources?Once our basic material needs are met, what is the "good life"?     About the Author Prof. Bill Barron is a faculty member of HKUST Division of Environment. An environmental economist, he received his PhD in Economics for Public Decision Making from the Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering at Johns Hopkins in 1980. From 1980-1986 he worked at the USs renowned Oak Ridge National Laboratory on assessing energy technologies. He has also served as an advisor on energy issues to the Liberian and Pakistani governments.A Hong Kong resident for over 20 years, Prof. Barrons work has focused on environmental aspects of transport policy, urban planning, and energy use. He also works with the public policy think tank Civic Exchange, in both advisory (Board of Directors 2003-05) and research capacities.Before joining the newly created Division of the Enviroment, Prof. Barron was a member of HKUSTs Institute for the Environment, which published his book The Great Disconnect in 2009.For enquiry, please contact Victoria Caplan at 2358-6786.