About the Cognitive Science Centre
Background
A research centre for research into cognitive science at the University of Hong Kong was set up by the University Senate in 1994. It facilitates the cross-disciplinary collaboration which is essential for this field, and brings together researchers within the University who are working on projects of a cognitive science nature.
The last twenty years has seen a global explosion in cognitive science, with teaching programmes heavily oversubscribed and graduates in high demand in the labour market. In Hong Kong, at the very hub of economic and technological advance in the Far East, the University has taken the initiative in setting up a Bachelors dehree programme in Cognitive Science starting in 1995 to train future experts in this area, while the Centre will cater for current research requirements, particularly as they relate to current local needs.
The University of Hong Kong scholars currently carrying out research within the area of cognitive science include those from the departments of Computer Science, Architecture, Computer Science, Education, Linguistics, Physiology, Philosophy, Psychology, Statistics, and the Social Sciences Research Centre. This broad background of experience provides the expertise for projects such as research into knowledge-based retrieval mechanisms, speech-recognition and production systems, safety devices in transport systems involving decision-making under uncertainty, and cognitive space for colour perception and colour discrimination. Current research in different departments is investigating language recognition, computational linguistics, and cognitive functioning, artificial intelligence, language learning, intelligent tutoring systems, the psychology of learning, the neural bases of cognition, especially perception, aphasia and speech disorders, and man-machine interfacing.
Goals of the Centre
The goals of this Centre include the following:
The Centre provides a forum for collaborative multidisciplinary research in the University. Cognitive Science requires, by its very nature, interaction between what have traditionally been seen as self-contained and relatively independent disciplines. Within the context of this institution, this means interaction between different departments. It raises awareness of the overlapping interests of its fellows, both within the Centre and throughout the University generally.
The Centre involves not only members of this institution, but also scientists drawn from other Hong Kong institutions, and those from outside Hong Kong who possess expertise currently not available here. These researchers, particularly the full-time researchers of the Centre, will contribute to the teaching effort in the B.Cog.Sci. programme starting in 1995.
The Centre provides a service for Hong Kong industry, by drawing up and fulfilling research contracts. It facilitates the cooperation of researchers with different backgrounds and expertise, to the benefit of these research applications, by providing a financial, equipment and intellectual environment supportive of this work. It enables the publication of research, the dissemination of research findings and the provision of an informational and intellectual data-base for Hong Kong.
Summary of Benefits
Among the benefits of this research and teaching initiative in Cognitive Science at the University of Hong Kong are:
- An intellectual and commercial link with organizations in America and North America anxious to forge relationships with the Pacific Rim.
- A service to China where currently there are few provisions for the requisite research and training, and collaboration with the Beijing Laboratory of Cognitive Science at the Graduate School of the Academica Sinica.
- A service to industry in Hong Kong, through research contracts.
- The Centre provides expertise, resources, facilities and motivation for students taking the B.Cog.Sci. degree course, where a research thesis is required in the final year.
- The production of a stream of graduates and experienced researchers of which, in the near future, Hong Kong will be in increasing need.
- A timely and appropriate development for Hong Kong.
Administration
The general organization of the Centre is overseen by a nominal Director, currently Dr. Tony Hayes of the Department of Psychology.
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