INTERNATIONAL
Hong Kong Statistical Society
Society Marks 30 Years of Promoting Stats
T
he Hong Kong Statistical Society
(HKSS) was founded in 1977 with
the objective of promoting the
development of statistics by providing a
medium for advancing knowledge and
enhancing appreciation of the theory and
application of statistics. In 2007, there were
about 300 members, including all distin-
guished statistics professors in Hong Kong’s
universities and high-ranking professional
statisticians working in both government
and private firms.
Last year marked the 30th anniversary
of the HKSS. To celebrate, the HKSS orga-
nized a series of special activities to provide
an opportunity for statistical professionals
to keep abreast of the latest development in
the statistics field; enhance the statistical lit-
eracy among the general public, in particular
Sir Clive Granger (left) delivers a talk, titled “Evaluation of Global Economic Models,” that was orga-
secondary school teachers and students; and
nized by the Hong Kong Statistical Society and the Polytechnic University of Hong Kong.
establish a closer relationship with statistical
professionals in nearby economies, including
mainland China and Macao.
his fresh perspective on issues related to
www.hkss.org.hk. The booklet was written
global economic modeling. by four members of the HKSS and focuses
Keeping Abreast on the complicated subject of sample sur-
In January and February of 2007, the
Statistical Literacy
veys in an easy-to-understand manner. It
HKSS organized two workshops, titled
To help the general public distinguish is intended to become a useful reference
“Econometric Time Series” and “Statistics
between good and bad sample surveys, the to both survey-takers and users of sample
in Finance and Economics.” The focus
HKSS co-organized a public seminar with survey results.
of the workshops was the application of
the theme “Sample Surveys: How To Be a
econometric time series and statistical tech-
Smart Data User” in November 2007 with
Promotion of Statistical Literacy
niques in resolving current economic and
the Census and Statistics Department and The HKSS has long been making a con-
financial issues, particularly those related to
the Education Development Bureau of the scientious effort to advocate statistical lit-
the finance and banking activities of Hong
Hong Kong SAR Government. The semi- eracy among the general public and sec-
Kong. The topics discussed were particu-
nar was well received by survey statisticians ondary school students in particular. The
larly relevant to Hong Kong, as the city is
in the private sector, as well as secondary Statistical Project Competition (SPC) for
a major financial center and a substantial
school teachers in statistics and mathemat- secondary students, which came to its 21st
proportion of manpower is engaged in the
ics. Participants learned how to become round in 2006–2007, is now recognized
finance and banking sector.
smart users of sample survey results and by educational professionals (including
To enable its members to keep abreast
how to request survey takers to provide secondary school principals and teachers)
of the latest international developments
answers to basic questions: What is the tar- and students. The competition has always
in statistics and economic modeling, the
get population and sampling frame used? received tremendous support from the
HKSS and Polytechnic University of
How is the sample selected? How are the Education Development Bureau. Funding
Hong Kong recently organized a public
questions, particularly sensitive questions, was provided by prestigious private firms
lecture by Sir Clive Granger, the 2003
asked? What is the response rate? in Hong Kong, including banks and real
Nobel Laureate in Economics. Granger
To provide further reference for the estate companies.
offered an interesting and insightful talk
proper conduct of sample surveys, the The aim of the SPC is to promote a sense
about the valuation of global economic
HKSS recently uploaded the booklet of civic awareness in students and encour-
models. Participants were impressed by
A Practical Guide to Sample Surveys to age them to understand the community
APRIL 2008 AMSTAT NEWS 25
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