The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:
 
     The Research Grants Council (RGC) will present its third public lecture this year under the theme "Challenge of Population Ageing: Dementia" on December 7 (Saturday) at the Hong Kong Central Library.
 
     The RGC has invited Professor of the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor Timothy Kwok, and Associate Professor of the Department of Social Work of the Hong Kong Baptist University, Dr Young Kim-wan, to share their research findings and knowledge with the public. Details are as follows:
 
Time: 2.30pm to 4.30pm
Venue: Lecture Theatre, G/F, Hong Kong Central Library
Language: Cantonese
Admission is free and on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
     Dementia is a major cause of dependency in old age. It can be delayed or prevented by physical and social activities and a healthy diet. Mind and body exercises, e.g. Tai Chi and cognitive training can improve cognitive functions in elderly people. Vitamin B12 deficiency can contribute to dementia, but its supplement in those without such deficiency does not improve cognitive functions. Folic acid supplements in combination with vitamin B12 may prevent cognitive decline, but only in those who can metabolise it, and it may interfere with the actions of aspirin. Professor Kwok will deliver a talk entitled "Prevention of dementia" to the public.
 
     There are around 100 000 elderly people with dementia in Hong Kong, and the number is expected to escalate to 290 000 by the year 2036. Currently, pharmacological treatments for dementia have been found to have a minimal effect in arresting cognitive decline and loss of memory. On the other hand, cognitive stimulation therapy has been developed in the United Kingdom and implemented successfully across different cultures and societies, including Hong Kong. Local research evidence supports the idea that cognitive stimulation therapy is effective in improving cognitive functions of elderly people with mild to moderate dementia. In his talk entitled "The positive effects of cognitive stimulation therapy for elderly with dementia", Dr Young will introduce cognitive stimulation therapy in local practice.
 
     The public lectures of the RGC aim at arousing public interest in local research developments. Since 2009, the RGC has invited numerous leading scholars to speak at these lectures. For enquiries, please call 2524 3987 or visit the University Grants Committee webpage (www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/lectures/lectures.html).

     The Government today (November 29) announced the appointment of five new members and re-appointment of five incumbent members to the Social Welfare Advisory Committee (SWAC) for a term of two years with effect from December 1.

     The five new members are Mr Frederick Lai Wing-hoi, Professor Petrus Ng Yat-nam, Dr Pan Pey-chyou, Dr Ricky Szeto Wing-fu and Professor Frances Wong Kam-yuet.

     Mr Lai is the Director of the Social Work Services Division of Caritas – Hong Kong. He is also a member of the Social Work Training Fund Committee and the Advisory Committee on Mental Health.

     Professor Ng is the Head and Professor of the Department of Social Work of Hong Kong Baptist University. He is also a member of the Advisory Committee on Social Work Training and Manpower Planning.

     Dr Pan is the Honorary Consultant in Psychiatry of Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital. He is also a member of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Advisory Committee. 

     Dr Szeto is the General Manager and Executive Director of a private company. He is also a member of the Lump Sum Grant Steering Committee, the Advisory Committee on Enhancing Employment of People with Disabilities and the Employees Compensation Assistance Fund Board. 

     Professor Wong is a Professor of the School of Nursing at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. She is also a member of the Steering Committee on Primary Healthcare Development and the Nursing Council of Hong Kong.

     The five re-appointed incumbent members are Mr Armstrong Lee Hon-cheung, Ms Anthea Lo Wing-sze, Dr Gary Ng Ka-wing, Ms Cindy Pun Siu-fung and Dr Janice Tsang Wing-hang.

     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, welcomed the appointments and thanked the five outgoing members, Mr Ip Wai-ming, Dr Annissa Lui Wai-ling, Mr Daryl Ng Win-kong, Professor Steven Ngai Sek-yum and Dr Loretta Yam Yin-chun, for their valuable contributions to the SWAC.

     The SWAC reviews social welfare services from time to time and advises the Government on all matters of social welfare policy.

     The membership list of the SWAC with effect from December 1, 2019 is as follows:

Chairman
———–
Mr Lester Garson Huang

Non-official members
————————
Dr Bai Xue
Ms Sylvia Chan May-kuen
Dr Gary Cheng Faat-ting
Miss Cheung Sze-wing
Mr Manohar Thakurdas Chugh
Mr Andy Ho Wing-cheong
Mr Anthony Kwan Wai-ming
Mr Frederick Lai Wing-hoi
Dr Lam James Joseph
Mr Armstrong Lee Hon-cheung
Ms Anthea Lo Wing-sze
Dr Gary Ng Ka-wing
Professor Petrus Ng Yat-nam
Dr Pan Pey-chyou
Ms Cindy Pun Siu-fung
Dr Ricky Szeto Wing-fu
Dr Janice Tsang Wing-hang
Ms Eva Wong Ching-hung
Professor Frances Wong Kam-yuet
Mr Anthony Wong Kin-wai
Ms Amarantha Yip Yun-wan

     Hongkong Post announced today (November 29) that, as advised by the postal administration of Finland, airmail services (including Speedpost) to Finland have resumed. However, due to the mail backlog situation in Finland, airmail services (including Speedpost) to Finland are still subject to delay.

     The Government announced today (November 29) appointments to the Property Management Services Authority (PMSA). 
      
     The Chief Executive has re-appointed Mr Tony Tse Wai-chuen as the Chairperson of the PMSA, and has appointed Professor Eddie Hui Chi-man as the Vice-chairperson and Mr Chow Luen-kiu as a new member of the PMSA. In addition, 16 serving members have also been re-appointed. The appointments will take effect on December 1, 2019, for a period of three years.
      
     The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, welcomed the above appointments. He also thanked the outgoing Vice-chairperson, Mr Wong Kwok-hing, and member, Dr Jennifer Ng Chui-yiu, for their sterling contributions to the PMSA over their term.
          
     The membership list of the PMSA with effect from December 1 is as follows:
 
Chairperson
———-
Mr Tony Tse Wai-chuen
 
Vice-chairperson
————–
Professor Eddie Hui Chi-man
 
Category I Persons (individuals who are engaged in property management services)
—————————
Mr Dick Kwok Ngok-chung
Mr Paul Ng Kwong-ming
Mr Ivan Tam Kwok-wing
Mr Justin Wong Fai-sing
Dr Yan Wai-kiu
 
Category II Persons (individuals, not being Category I persons, who, because of their experience in property management, general administration or consumer affairs, appear to the Chief Executive to have knowledge of property management services)
—————————-
Dr Jason Chan Kai-yue
Ms Wendy Ng Wan-yee
Ms Annie Wong Pak-yan  
 
Category III Persons (individuals, not being Category I persons or Category II persons, who appear to the Chief Executive to be suitable to be appointed as members of the PMSA)
—————————-
Mr Chan Han-pan
Ms Cheng Lai-king
Mr Chow Luen-kiu
Mr Leung Man-kwong
Mr Lanny Tam
Mr Frankie Yick Chi-ming
Mr Yip Hing-kwok
Director of Housing or his representative
Director of Home Affairs or her representative  
 
     The PMSA is a body corporate established under the Property Management Services Ordinance (Cap. 626). Its principal functions are to regulate and control the provision of property management services in Hong Kong by the licensing of property management companies and property management practitioners; to promote the integrity, competence and professionalism of the profession of property management services; and to maintain and enhance the status of the profession of property management services.

     The Government proposes to amend the Merchant Shipping (Seafarers) (Working and Living Conditions) Regulation and the Merchant Shipping (Seafarers) (Allotments) Regulation to incorporate two amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 of the International Labour Organization (ILO) into local legislation.
 
     A spokesman for the Transport and Housing Bureau today (November 29) said, "The legislative amendments involve the extension of validity of Maritime Labour Certificates and the safeguards of interests of seafarers being held captive."
      
      The Legislative Council Panel on Economic Development, the Hong Kong Fleet Operation Advisory Committee and the Seafarers' Advisory Board of the Marine Department have been consulted on the legislative proposal. Members supported the proposal.
      
      The proposed legislative amendments were gazetted today and will be tabled at the Legislative Council on December 4 for negative vetting.