New Asia College The Chinese University of Hong Kong eNewsletter

Renowned historian Prof. YU Ying-shih, the College’s first graduate and fifth President, passed away in his home in the United States on the morning of August 1 at the age of 91.

During his days in New Asia, Professor Yu was a student of Founder Mr. CHIEN Mu. After graduating in 1952, he furthered his studies at Harvard University under the tutelage of Sinologist Prof. YANG Lien-sheng and obtained his PhD in History. He then taught at the University of Michigan and Harvard University. Following the College’s relocation to the current Shatin campus in July 1973, Professor Yu returned to Hong Kong to succeed Prof. Y. P. MEI as the fifth College President and as the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Professor Yu retired from his post and returned to the United States in 1975 to concentrate on his research. He was Charles Seymour Professor of History at Yale University and Professor of East Asian Studies and History, Emeritus at Princeton University. Because of his experiences in New Asia and Harvard, Professor Yu received both traditional and modern academic training. His expertise lies in Chinese intellectual history, political history and cultural history, particularly the study of traditional Chinese scholars. Professor Yu’s works include dozens of titles like History and Thoughts, Scholars and Chinese Culture, Zhu Xi's Historical World and Studies in Song and Ming Lixue and Political Culture. Memoir of Yu Ying Shih published in 2018 was Professor Yu’s last work and a chapter was dedicated to New Asia.

Throughout his career, Professor Yu received a long list of academic honors, including being elected an Academician of the Academia Sinica, Taiwan in 1974 and awarded an honorary doctorate by CUHK in 1977. In 2006, Professor Yu was also named the recipient of the John W. Kluge Prize by the Library of Congress for lifetime achievement in the study of humanity. In commendation of Professor Yu’s contribution to the field of History, New Asia College and Chung Chi College jointly established the “Yu Ying-shih Lecture in History” in 2007, which invites a distinguished historian each year to deliver lectures and seminars on an interesting topic in History. A number of Professor Yu’s students have hosted the lecture. In September 2014, Professor Yu received the first Tang Prize in Sinology. He also delivered the 65^th Anniversary Lecture titled New Asia College and Chinese Humanities Studies via video in the same month.

Professor Yu is a key figure in the development of the College as well as an embodiment of the New Asia Spirit. We are deeply saddened by his passing, a major loss for the College, the academia and the Chinese society, and extends sincere condolences to his family.