lingnan launches metaphors database Lingnan University will launch the world's first online interactive English-Chinese database of metaphors, aimed at students learning English as a second language. Dr Andrew Goarly, an associate professor in the department of English at the university, has spent 13 years compiling the database. ESF names new island school principal The English Schools Foundation has appointed the deputy principal of Island School, Michelle Hughes, to take over as head from the school's long-serving David James in September. Mr James, 57, who has been principal for more than 16 years, announced his retirement in December. Ms Hughes has held the post of deputy principal since 1999. spring-time scholarship scheme The Spring-Time Group has set up a scholarship scheme in the School of Creative Media, City University of Hong Kong. The group has donated $800,000 to award outstanding mainland undergraduates. A $200,000 fund is also established to encourage students' participation in outward bound academic and cultural activities. universities receive technology support The University of Hong Kong, South China University of Technology and IBM Corp are to jointly set up a research centre in the city for the development of a new breed of e-business technology. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has been granted $4.6 million by US communications firm WebEx to conduct research related to speech recognition, image and video, and multimedia. lingnan offers masters in chinese The Department of Chinese at Lingnan University is to offer a Masters of Arts in Chinese postgraduate degree programme from September. The credit-based part-time course will target Chinese language students, writers and others interested in Chinese studies. For details call 2616 7880. arts festival looks for alumni The Hong Kong Youth Arts Festival is seeking 'Yaffies' past and present to join its new alumni society. Anyone who has been involved with the festival in the past 13 years is asked to e-mail their details to cudennec@netvigator.com .
