In the 2023-24 academic year, the Zhilan Scholarship has awarded a total of HKD 160,000 to four talented Arts students. Among them are undergraduates Loo Xiang Ting (Chinese Studies, Year 3) and Kwan Tsun Fung (History, Year 4), as well as postgraduates Hu Wenxi (Cultural Studies, PhD Year 4) and Ma Qianyi (English-Literary Studies, PhD Year 2).

The recipients are humbled by the recognition and committed to further their research in Chinese culture. Loo Xiang Ting recently completed her undergraduate thesis on how the Chinese state portrays a multiethnic national landscape. She looks forward to continuing academic research within China with the Zhilan Scholarship. Kwan Tsun Fung is grateful for this recognition as he graduates, which encourages him to further study Chinese history and culture, providing a solid foundation for future academic pursuits. Hu Wenxi appreciates the scholarship for allowing her to explore complex connections between humans and waste in Chinese documentaries, as well as cultural and ecological issues. Ma Qianyi thanks the scholarship for supporting her study in exploring diasporic feminist retellings of Chinese mythology in a globalised context.

The Faculty remains dedicated to fostering academic excellence among our students and nurturing future scholars who will make meaningful contributions to society.

No Registration is required. All are welcome.

“I graduated from CUHK with a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Philosophy, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Chinese Language and Literature. Immediately after, I joined the Department of Chinese Language and Literature as a lecturer, primarily teaching the University Core Course – Chinese Language Course. I have been associated with the Chinese Department at CUHK for nearly two decades,” Dr. Lam shared.

Reflecting on her path from student to esteemed educator, she added, “Throughout this journey, from being on the Dean's Honour List as a student to receiving the Faculty of Arts Outstanding Teaching Award, and now the Vice-Chancellor's Exemplary Teaching Award, I feel deeply honoured and grateful for the continuous recognition from the university.”

Discussing her teaching experience, Dr. Lam shared insights into her courses - University Chinese I & II, which are part of the university's core curriculum. “My students come from diverse Faculties with varied interests and academic needs. This diversity presents both the greatest challenge and the most enjoyable aspect of my teaching. I firmly believe that despite the different academic backgrounds of the students, the ultimate focus is on the “human” aspect, which is the essence of the humanities in the university's core curriculum.”

Dr. Lam emphasised the importance of communication and interaction in her classes. She said, “By explaining classical and contemporary literary works, I guide students to appreciate the thoughts of ancient sages and the emotions of literary figures. I integrate various classroom activities with everyday life, encouraging group discussions and collaboration. This way, students not only connect with historical figures but also engage and learn from their peers.”

She continues, “Witnessing students complete the University Chinese courses with the ability to accurately express their thoughts in writing and speech, and appreciate the beauty of the Chinese language, is the most gratifying and proudest aspect of my teaching career.”

Quoting Xunzi, Dr. Lam concluded, “As Xunzi said, “Having a good teacher and following his teachings is a great treasure for a person.” Over the years at CUHK, everything I have gained from my teachers is an invaluable treasure. I will continue to pass on these “treasures” in the hope that every generation of CUHK students will also receive this “great treasure.”

Dr. Lam's dedication and passion for teaching have not only earned her prestigious awards but also left a lasting impact on her students, embodying CUHK's commitment to providing quality education.

About the Vice-Chancellor's Exemplary Teaching Award

The Vice-Chancellor's Exemplary Teaching Award Scheme, established in 1999, recognises outstanding teachers. This award not only acknowledges the recipients' contributions to teaching but also highlights the University's dedication to excellence in education.

"It was an unexpected honour to be named among this year’s Dan David Prize winners. This is a recognition of my work over the last decade or more. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the University for all its support, and I look forward to contributing more to our understanding of the global Renaissance [c. 1350-1750] and East-West relations in the future. The award will also help support my ongoing efforts to apply digital approaches to the study of the human past at CUHK," Professor McManus remarked. 

Professor McManus's research explores the global spread of Humanism and examines the connections between Atlantic slavery and a broader network of trade and human trafficking during the early modern period. He received his PhD in history, with a secondary field in classical philology, from Harvard University. Currently, he teaches in the CUHK History Department and serves as the Associate Director of the Digital Humanities Initiative at the Research Institute for the Humanities (RIH) at CUHK.

The Faculty of Arts remains committed to supporting our faculty members in achieving research excellence. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Professor McManus for his remarkable achievements.

About the Dan David Prize

Endowed by the Dan David Foundation and headquartered at Tel Aviv University, the Dan David Prize is the largest history prize in the world. At a time of diminishing support for the humanities, the Prize celebrates the next generation of outstanding historians, archaeologists, curators and digital humanists. Each year, up to nine researchers are awarded US$300,000 each in recognition of their achievements and to support their future endeavours. To learn more about Dan David, the Prize and the 2024 winners, visit www.dandavidprize.org.

Opening Ceremony - 7 July 2024 (Sunday)
Venue: Gallery I, Art Museum, Central Campus, CUHK

Contemporary Art Practice ‘Others¹⁹’
3/F, Cheng Ming Building, New Asia College, CUHK

Chinese Art Practice “Blooming Life, Nurturing the Future”
Gallery I, Art Museum, CUHK

Contemporary Art Practice “3 Mins and 60 Sec”
2/F, Cheng Ming Building, New Asia College, CUHK

Chinese Art Practice “The Mystery”
Hui Gallery, New Asia College, CUHK

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of our MA in Philosophy Programme, a series of philosophy talks will be held from February to June 2024. The 4th talk will be given by Prof. Kwan Tze-wan, Emeritus Professor, Department of Philosophy.

Speaker:
Prof. Kwan Tze-wan 關子尹教授
(Emeritus Professor, Department of Philosophy, CUHK 香港中文大學哲學系榮休教授)

Bilateral economic ties between China and ASEAN have been robust, extensive, and mutually beneficial. From China’s perspective, expanding external engagement has been a main driver behind its rapid expansion and structural transformation since the late 1970s. ASEAN has emerged as a key partner for China’s economic outreach. Similarly, for ASEAN, deepening economic engagement with China aligns with its longstanding commitment to economic openness and cooperation. 

Going forward, strengthening economic ties with ASEAN is likely to remain pivotal aspect of China’s sustainable development. Firstly, despite significant domestic efforts, China maintains a degree of reliance on trade and trade-related economic activities, for growth and employment. Notably, ASEAN already stands among China’s top trading partners. Secondly, there exists significant complementarity among the “10 plus one” economics. Moreover, given the diversity within ASEAN, cultivating strong and varied economic connection with ASEAN member states can enhance the resilience regional production networks and supply chains. Thirdly, as ASEAN maintains enduring and robust economic relations with major economies worldwide, it could serve as a crucial gateway and strategic partner for China’s economic outreach. 

Placing higher emphasis on enhancing China-ASEAN economic relations will have important implications for China’s overarching policy agenda. One example involves considering the upgrading of current trade and investment arrangements between China and ASEAN. Another strategy entails bolstering cooperation in specific areas between Chinese regions and ASEAN members, such as fostering closer collaboration in the financial sector between Hong Kong and Singapore.

 

Speaker 

Sarah Y. Tong (Senior Research Fellow East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore)

Sarah Y. Tong graduated from Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, with a Bachelor in Systems Engineering and a Master in Management, and worked at the Development Research Center of China’s State Council for several years. She obtained her Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California at San Diego. She was Assistant Professor of the Department of Economics and Research Fellow of East Asian Institute, both at the National University of Singapore. Currently, she is Senior Research Fellow of NUS’ East Asian Institute and its cluster head for the economics team. She also co-leads the institute’s research efforts on social and economic implications of population aging in China and China’s green economy. Her research interests concentrate on the development and transformation of Chinese Economy, including development in trade and foreign investment, development of regions, financial sector reforms, the reforms of state-owned enterprises, industrial policies and restructuring, and social economic impact of population aging. Her work appeared in journals such as Journal of International Economics, Global Economic Review, China: An International Journal, Review of Development Economics, China and the World Economy, Comparative Economic Studies, and China Economic Review. In addition to contributing chapters to numerous books on contemporary China, she also edited and co-edited books including China and Global Economic Crisis (2010), Trade, Investment and Economic Integration (2014), China’s Evolving Industrial Policies and Economic Restructure (2014), China’s Great Urbanization (2017), China’s Economic Transformation under the New Normal (2017), China’s Economic Modernization and Structural Changes (2019), China and Asia Economic Integration (2020), and China’s Green Economy: Commitments, Policies and Prospects (2023).

Ghosts of Chinese Soldiers Wandering in Myanmar: This documentary explores the efforts of civil organizations to repatriate the remains of Chinese soldiers who died fighting in the China-Burma-India Theatre during World War II. Many of these soldiers' bodies were left behind on the battlefield, leaving their spirits unable to return home.

Speaker
Dapeng Hui 惠大鵬 [Director of Why Not Coming Back 胡不歸 (2018)]

The Wenjin Book Awards Committee praised Professor Wong's interdisciplinary work for its nuanced linguistic and cultural insights into the 1793 Macartney Mission, achieved through extensive archival research and rigorous analysis. The book reexamines this inaugural diplomatic encounter between China and Britain through the lens of translation, shedding light on early Sino-British relations by dissecting the backgrounds of the mission’s interpreters and analyzing the translation and reinterpretation of various documents, such as letters of state and imperial edicts. This comprehensive re-evaluation of a pivotal event underscores the critical role of translation in China’s early diplomacy. Professor Wong's fresh perspective and meticulous archival research have significantly advanced scholarly understanding in the fields of modern Chinese translation history and Sino-British diplomatic history.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Professor Wong on this well-deserved national recognition of his research accomplishments.