Chinese Studies grand master honoured at conference

Promoting new publications of UTAR ICS (from left): ICS Deputy Dean Dr Chong Siou Wei, Prof Ho, Dato' Dr Hou, Prof Chuah, Prof Lim, and ICS Chinese Studies Department Head Dr Tee Boon Chuan

An International Conference on Sinology and Malaysian Chinese Studies was held at a hotel in Petaling Jaya on 1 and 2 December 2012 as a tribute to Prof Dr Lim Chooi Kwa in recognition of his lifelong contributions in education and academics especially in the fields of Sinology and Chinese Studies.

Organised by the Institute of Chinese Studies of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) in collaboration with UTAR Chinese Studies Postgraduate Society, UTAR Chinese Studies Alumni Society, and Chinese Studies Alumni Association of the University of Malaya, the conference was also held in conjunction of Prof Lim’s 70th birthday celebration.

It was a major event for research in Chinese Studies and attracted 21 scholars from China, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan to present their research findings in the fields of Sinology and Malaysian Chinese Studies.
“Prof Lim is a virtuous intellect who has contributed to education and academia for more than 50 years,” said UTAR Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS) Dean Prof Dr Ho Khai Leong in his opening address. He added that Prof Lim had taught in UTAR Department of Chinese Studies for 10 years and he has nurtured many talents. “What we see in him is not just his immense depth of knowledge, but also his gentleman’s morality.”

“When it came to leading his department, Prof Lim had spared no efforts when he was serving as the Head of Department [of Chinese Studies in UTAR],” said UTAR President Ir Prof Academician Dato Dr Chuah Hean Teik. He also cited the UTAR 10th anniversary celebration Chinese couplet “A decade of forerunners’ toil, we’ll treasure in our hearts” to express his gratitude to Prof Lim, a pioneer who started the Department of Chinese Studies in UTAR.

“Prof Lim is one of my teachers whom I am most grateful to,” said Higher Education Deputy Minister Dato’ Dr Hou Kok Chung, expressing his appreciation to his former teacher in an emotional speech. Dato’ Dr Hou is, as Prof Ho mentioned, one of Prof Lim’s proudest protégés.

Also present at the conference were former Culture, Arts and Tourism Deputy Minister Datuk Fu Ah Kiow, Chairman of Chinese Studies Alumni Association of University of Malaya Dato’ Ng Tong Hai, and participants from the University of Malaya, New Era College and Sunway University.

Teacher-of-honour Prof Lim

Prof Lim receiving a souvenir from Dato' Dr Hou