Student turnout was low at a forum on the United States' threatened military action in Iraq held at the University of Hong Kong this week, though students at the university are said to be against the possible war. The event featured talks by Michael Doran, a specialist on Middle East affairs from Princeton University, as well as South China Morning Post columnist Frank Ching, executive director of humanitarian agency Oxfam, Chong Chan-yau, and HKU professor Richard Hu. More than 100 people attended, mostly academics and people from outside the university. There were more graduates than undergraduates, said forum organiser James Tang Tuck-hong, dean of HKU's Faculty of Social Science. 'It might be because the event was held at the Graduate House,' he said, but added that activities held in English usually attracted fewer undergraduates. Local students have not been as involved in protests against the possible war in the Middle East as their counterparts abroad. Students should be encouraged to take part in discussions on international affairs, said Professor Tang. 'This is part of all-round education. Education in Hong Kong is too specialised. Some students may not even know where Syria and Iraq are.' Newly-elected HKU Student Union president Raymond Mak Ka-chun, said the union had been too pre-occupied with their elections last week to mobilise members to join anti-war activities. Students who went to the forum said they had discussed the issue with their peers. Cathy Ma Po-shan, a psychology student, is deeply worried about the human consequences of war. 'We talk about a range of issues over the Iraqi crisis during teatime with students from various disciplines,' she said. 'Violence is a not a long-term solution.' First-year student Kevin Yao Kai-cheong wants more opportunities for discussions on the issue. 'I am not sure about the validity of Dr Doran's claim that establishing an American order in the Middle East is good for the world.' Activism revival - Page 4 US funding agony - Page 5
