GEOGRAPHY AS A FIELD OF STUDY

Geography seeks to understand the earth as the home of human beings. It is the
descipline which analyze's people's interactions with their physical and human
environments and explains a vast range of spatial patterns and processes. Both
systemmatically and regionally. Geography has close link with the social and
natural sciences which enrich its contributions to knowledge. Geographical
study provides an appreciation of realities and prospects' for one's own and
other societies. The discipline also contributes to the solution of many of
the critical problems facing the world's peoples. Such concerns make geography
one of the most exciting and absorbing fields of study.

GEOGRAPHY AT HONG KONG BAPTIST UNIVERSITY

In 1991, the Department of Geography moved into newly renovated and specially
designed quarters on the main campus. The increasingly well-equipped 
laboratories include a special Geographical Information System Lab (GIS) and
a map library. Over the next serveral years it is hoped to reapidly expand
the Department's laboratory facilities, including a much enlarged GIS 
laboratory and a new Map Library (or upgrade to a Map Resource Centre which
will serve the whole college community). While honours degree programs in
geography began in 1988 with the B.A.(Hons) in Arts and Social Sciences, 
to be followed by the B.Soc.Sc.(Hons) in China Studies a year later, the 
discipline has a much longer history on the campus. It is expected that a
postgraduate study program will be offered in the near-future. The present
Department gains much from its relative youth and dynamism.
 
Reflecting the background and experience of the Department's staff, students
have an opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of environmental and
socio-economic development problems, particularly in the context of East and
South-East Asian countries. Faculty members are actively involved in research
in these areas and publish extensively in interenational journals. Publications
also include books, monographs and technical papers. Staff have over the years
also built close academic links with geography departments and other scientific
institutions in China, South East Asia, the United Kingdom, parts of Eastern
Europe, including the Commonwealth of Independent States, and also North 
America. Taking advantage of Hong Kong's strategic location scholars, 
representatives of various international organizations, including those of
the United Nations, World Bank and Asian Development Bank, business leaders
and experts representing a broad spectrum of endeavours, are invited to 
deliver lectures and participate in less formal activities.

Although geography is administratively located within the Social Science 
Faculty the Department has strong scholarly links with the Faculty of Science,
particularly biology. It is expected that these will continue to develop
rapidly and further enhance its programs and benefit students. Students and
staff enjoy close professional relationships and staff-student interaction 
is encouraged. The student Geographical Society is very active and orgainzes
fieldtrips and social gatherings. It publishes student research papers in
its own academic journal. 

LABORATORIES

The department current have under its control the following labs and units,

1. Geographic Information Systems Unit
2. Cartography and Remote Sensing Laboratory
3. Physical Geography Laboratory
4. Human Geography Projects Laboratory
5. Map Library
6. Roof-top Climate Tower
.