ICS hosts international seminar

Group photo at ICS building

Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS) hosted the Transmission and Interpretation: An International Conference on Pan Pacific Literature, Thoughts and Cultures at the Petaling Jaya Campus on 1 November 2013 with the National Taiwan University (NTU) College of Liberal Arts as the co-organiser.

The delegates from NTU who attended the seminar were Department of History Chairman Prof Kan Huai Chen, Department of Chinese Literature Prof Hsiao Li Hua, Prof Hsieh Pei Fen, Dr Chen Chui Ying, Dr Ko Chia Cian, Dr Pan Shaw Yu, Dr Hsu Hui Lin, Department of Japanese Language and Literature Prof Shyu Shing Ching, Prof Tsujimoto Masashi, Prof Fan Shu Wen, Prof Ju Chiou Er, Prof Lin Hui Chun, Dr Lin Li Ping, Dr Tsau Jing Huei, Dr Hung Se Chun and three postgraduate students.

On hand to welcome the NTU delegates was the UTAR team comprising; ICS Dean Dr Chong Siou Wei, Deputy Dean (Student Development and Industrial Training) Dr Lim Chee Men, Deputy Dean (R&D and Postgraduate Programmes) Dr Wong Wun Bin, Department of Chinese Studies Perak Campus Head Mok Tuck Hau, Klang Valley Head Dr Tee Boon Chuan, Contemporary China Studies Unit Head Dr Chin Chong Foh and Assistant Prof Dr Pua Shiau Chen. 

Dr Chong presenting a souvenir to Prof Kan (left)

"The conference aims to establish connections with research teams in overseas academic institutions and to strengthen the collaborations between ICS and institutions of higher education in Pan Pacific region. It offers a platform for academics and postgraduate students to share their research outcomes too," said Dr Chong in his welcome speech. He added that credit must be given to the Malaysians in the Taiwan universities' alumni who have contributed much to the local education and expressed confidence that the collaboration between the two universities would help to promote more academic exchanges.

"Islam Studies and Indian Cultural Studies in Taiwan are relatively not as extensive as Malaysia so we hope to learn more from the local scholars in Malaysia. This collaboration with UTAR ICS is indeed beneficial for both universities," said Prof Kan after expressing his appreciation to Dr Chong and Dr Ko for their efforts in coordinating the seminar.

Prof Hsiao presenting her paper on Choe Chi-won, a Silla poet

There were seven sessions in the seminar and both the delegates from NTU and ICS took their turns to present their papers on topics such as history, literature, Confucianism, Japanese Studies and culture. The highlights were the lively inter-active commentaries during the presentations. The UTAR presenters comprised Dr Chin, Dr Mok, Dr Pua and three postgraduate students.

Dr Lim giving his comments