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.

The below personnel updates in the College management are effective from 1 August 2021:

(1) Former Dean of Students Prof. CHONG Tai Leung Terence, Former Associate Dean of Students Prof. LEE Ho Man Jimmy and Dr. LEUNG Fung Lin Elean are appointed as Associate College Heads.

(2) Former Associate Dean of Students Prof. CHEUNG Kam Siu is appointed as Dean of Students.

(3) Prof. Lisa C. WAN from the School of Hotel and Tourism Management joins the Assembly of Fellows.

(4) Former Associate College Head Prof. CHU Ka Hou retires and is appointed as Honorary Fellow.

(5) Former members of the Assembly of Fellows Prof. LAI Ming Chiu and Prof. LAU Kwok Ying retire and are appointed as Senior College Tutors.

As the pandemic eases in Hong Kong, the College and the Alumni Association have jointly organized a series of alumni family activities on three consecutive weekends from 1 to 15 August. College staff were also welcome to participate. Responses were very enthusiastic that two of them were full.

Seven books written by our alumni/former teachers were published in recent months. Please see the Chinese version for detailed introductions.

“Remembering my teacher TANG Chun-i”
by Professor CHAN Che Shing (62/Chinese Literature)

Source: NA Life Monthly Magazine 2021 June issue p.15-25

Online Full Review:
https://online.fliphtml5.com/zpbcd/ipve/#p=15

Miss Rice SIU Yiu Ching, a 2021 graduate in Biochemistry of the College, has been awarded the Esther Yewpick Lee Millennium Scholarship to pursue a DPhil in neuroscience at the University of Oxford in the coming new term. Our heartfelt congratulations!

Apart from the rich atmosphere of Chinese culture, New Asia is also a cosmopolitan hub with many international staff and students joining each year. Through this new series “New Asia Family”, we would speak with some of these members about their experiences, with the hope to strengthen cultural exchanges and understanding. Our first guest is Myrmidon KANGARA, a fourth-year law student from Zimbabwe. She would share with us her life in New Asia and Hong Kong.

The New Asia Drama Club held its annual performance from 16 to 18 July. Western Xia Hotel, originally by Taiwanese author LUO Yijun and adapted into screenplay by Hong Kong Dramatist YAN Pat-to, was loaned to the Drama Club for this year’s performance. Four shows was held at the Cultural Activities Hall of the Shatin Town Hall during the period. Mr. Yan attended the performance on 16 July.

Five young researchers from CUHK have been awarded China’s Excellent Young Scientists Fund 2021. Three of them are affiliated to New Asia: Prof. LU Xinhui from the Department of Physics (with research project “X-ray scattering Based Microstructure Studies of Photovoltaic Materials”); Prof. REN Wei from the Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering (with research project “Laser diagnostics for flow fields”); Prof. HE Wei from the Department of Economics (with research project “Game Theory and Mechanism Design”).

The Research Grants Council (RGC) has recently announced its funding results for the RGC Senior Research Fellow Scheme (SRFS) and RGC Research Fellow Scheme (RFS) of the 2021/22 Exercise. Six CUHK scholars received the awards and fellowship grants to support their research projects. Two of them are affiliated to New Asia: Prof. Catherine McBRIDE from the Department of Psychology received the SRFS for her research on “Optimizing Predictions of Dyslexia Cross-Culturally: Chinese and English Compared”, and Prof. ZHONG Lai from the Department of Philosophy received the RFS for his research on “An Emergentist Theory of Mind”. Our heartfelt congratulations.

 

Details: https://bit.ly/3kTdIWD

Prof. Catherine McBRIDE, who is affiliated to the College, has performed outstandingly in the recently announced funding results of the Research Grants Council (RGC).

Her project titled “Multimodal Approaches to Testing and Prediction in Early Academic Achievement: Chinese, English, and Mathematics” received almost $33 million in funding in RGC Theme-based Research Scheme 2021/22 (Eleventh Round). She also received funding from the 2021/22 Senior Research Fellow Scheme (SRFS) for her project titled "Optimizing Predictions of Dyslexia Cross-Culturally: Chinese and English Compared". Our heartfelt congratulations!

 

Project details: https://bit.ly/3klnUGY

Under the pandemic, the Farewell Luncheon and Presentation of Long Service Awards cannot be held as usual in Yun Chi Hsien. To express our heartfelt gratitude to our retiring and long-service colleagues for their valuable dedication and contribution, the College and the Staff Association have jointly organized a small farewell luncheon in the VIP room of Yun Chi Hsien on June 16.

Associate College Head Professor CHU Ka Hou from the School of Life Sciences was invited to deliver a farewell speech. Retiring this year, Professor Chu recounted some unforgettable moments during his service in CUHK for over 30 years.

Our heartfelt congratulations to the below recently promoted colleagues: (in chronological order)

Name	Position
Prof. JIANG Wenxi	Associate Professor, Department of Finance
Prof. Hendrik TIEBEN	Professor, School of Architecture
Prof. ZHONG Lei	Professor, Department of Philosophy
Prof. Saulius Haroldas GENIUSAS	Professor, Department of Philosophy
Prof. BAI Ying	Associate Professor, Department of Economics
Prof. LEE Jyh An	Professor, School of Law
Prof. LU Xinhui	Associate Professor, Department of Physics
Prof. LI Chen	Associate Professor, Centre for China Studies
Prof. HUI Chin Ming	Associate Professor, Department of Psychology
Prof. YIM Chi Hung	Professor, Department of Chinese Language & Literature

 

Below are colleagues who are newly affiliated to New Asia College between 2021 May and August (in chronological order):

 

Under the pandemic, international travel which we love so much has been impossible. It is now time for us to “travel to” Korea for a gourmet journey. NASA organized a “Korean Dish Cooking Class” on 15 Aug 2021 to put us in contact with delicious fare.

The Committee on College Culture of New Asia College organized a cultural talk titled “Sake Please!” on 20 May 2021 in Yun Chi Hsien, New Asia College. Mr. Yao CHIU, a Certified Sake Sommelier (Kikisake-shi, SSI Japan), Certified Shochu Sommelier (Shochu Kikisake-shi, SSI Japan), Certified Sake Quality Evaluation Expert (SSI Japan), was invited as the guest speaker.

Mountaineer Ms. TSANG Yin Hung summited Everest on May 23 in a record time of 25 hours and 50 minutes, setting the record of the world’s fastest ascent by a woman. She was 12 hours faster than the old record holder. Our heartfelt congratulations!

The 15th Hong Kong Arts Development Awards Presentation Ceremony, organized by Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC), was held on 30 May. Two awards went to NA Fine Arts alumni: Mr. HUNG Keung (95/Fine Arts) was named “Artist of the Year (Media Arts)”, while Ms. YIM Sui-fong (06/Fine Arts) received “Award for Young Artist (Visual Arts)”. Congratulations to the two winners on their well-deserved success.

The HKSAR Government has announced the Honours List 2021 on 1 July. Our congratulations to the below alumni who have been bestowed with honours and appointed Justice of the Peace:

Justices of the Peace

LEUNG Fung Yee Julia (82/Journalism & Communications)

Medal of Honour (MH)

LEUNG Kwok Kee (85/English)

NG Ching Wah Hubert (75/Business Administration)

NG Kwong Ming Paul (76/History)

Meritorious Service Medals for the Disciplined Services and the ICAC

CHOW Yat Ming Joe (95/Biology)

Chief Executive's Commendation for Government/Public Service

LAI Ching Man (89/Anthropology)

NG Wai Lung David (92/Social Work)

TONG Sze Chun (14/Global Studies)

WONG Wai Nam (13/Economics)                                                                        

WONG Yan Yin Paul (93/Sociology)

YIM Tsz Kok (00/Pharmacy)

Chief Executive's Commendation for Community Service

CHAN Ho Ting (12/Law)

PAU Ming Hong (10/Sociology)

Under the pandemic, Ontario, Canada has been in lockdown for a long time. Many devoted their extra time at home to gardening, decorating their backyards and terraces with homegrown flowers and vegetables.

The NAC Alumni Association of Ontario hosted an online sharing session on gardening on June 12 and invited a number of green fingers to share some tips and experiences. The session was attended by more than 30 alumni. Among them were many experts, and novices benefited a lot from the exchanges. The Association hoped that the activity can not only raise awareness for environmental protection but also enhance participants’ knowledge and spread the joy of gardening.

Remodeling (Joint Display)
Artists: CHAN Long Yin, Ivan and CHAN Hiu Wai, Allison

Date: 13 - 24 September 2021
Venue: New Asia Ch'ien Mu Library

The New Asia E-newsletter publishes in every February, May, August and November. College members are welcome to provide news and contributions in either Chinese or English. Please email your materials to Mr. Steven HUNG (stevenhung@cuhk.edu.hk).