International Academic Exchange Office

[2nd Talk] Prof. Dr. Fan Ruolan: "A Study of the Dialect Groups, Scales, and Influences of Female Migrants from South China to Malaya"

Lecture Postscript

The 2nd session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 24 November 2021. The guest speakers for this event was Prof. Dr. Fan Ruolan from Sun Yat-sen University. It was attended by more than 200 people.

Dr. Fan is affiliated with the School of International Relations and the Southeast Asia Research Center at Sun Yat-sen University. She also serves as a researcher at the Belt and Road Research Institute, a doctoral advisor, and the director of the Center for Gender Education and Research at Sun Yat-sen University. Her research areas include Southeast Asian politics, the Chinese diaspora, Islam, and Malaysian studies.

This lecture was titled “A Study of the Dialect Groups, Scales, and Influences of Female Migrants from South China to Malaya.” This lecture was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tey Shi Bin from NEUC. During the Q&A session, the audience actively engaged with the speaker, who addressed all questions comprehensively.

[3rd Talk] Assoc. Professor Dr. Wong Sin Kiong: "Malayan Chinese Intelligentsia Network in China: Starting with the Nanyang Club in Peking"

Lecture Postscript

The 3rd session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 21th December 2021. The guest speakers for this event was Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wong Sin Kiong from the National University of Singapore. It was attended by more than 160 people.

Dr. Wong Sin Kiong holds a Ph.D. in History from Indiana University, USA, and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chinese Studies at the National University of Singapore. He served as the head of the department from 2004 to 2011. His research interests include the history of Chinese communities in Singapore and Malaysia, modern Chinese society and politics, and Chinese in Southeast Asia. Professor Huang has been invited to lecture and visit universities in the USA, Japan, mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

This lecture was titled " Malayan Chinese Intelligentsia Network in China: Starting with the Nanyang Club in Peking"." It primarily introduced the Malaysian Chinese intellectual community active in the Nanyang Chinese Club in Beijing during the Republic of China era, featuring early notable intellectuals and entrepreneurs like Wu Lian-de, Liang Yu-gao, Wu Lai-xi, Xie Chang-lin, and Lin Zong-yang. The event was moderated by Assistant Professor Dr. Lew Siew Boon from NEUC. It received enthusiastic feedback, with the audience actively participating in the Q&A session and eagerly engaging in discussions.

[4th Talk] Dr. Boey Teik Soon: “A Century of Development in Malaysian Chinese Ink Painting”

Lecture Postscript

The 4th session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 16th February 2022. The lecture featured famous Malaysian artist Dr. Boey Teik Soon as the keynote speaker. It was attended by more than 170 people.

Dr. Boey Teik Soon is a postdoctoral researcher in art studies at Southeast University, China. His main research areas include the history of Chinese and foreign art, art education, and the cultural and artistic development of China and Southeast Asia under the Belt and Road Initiative. He currently serves as a master's and doctoral supervisor at New Era University College and is a distinguished professor at Fujian Preschool Normal College in China. He has also held positions as the director of the Center for Eastern Cultural and Artistic Studies at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and as a visiting professor at Chongqing Technology and Business University in China.

This lecture was titled " A Century of Development in Malaysian Chinese Ink Painting." It primarily discusses the evolution of ink painting from British Malaya to post-independence Malaysia, sharing the contributions of artists over the past century to the development of local ink painting. Finally, Dr. Boey Teik Soon shared his latest work, "One Hundred Years of Ink Traces: Research on the Development of Malaysian Ink Painting Art and Its Figures," which he has been studying for the past ten years, with the audience. The event was moderated by Assistant Professor Dr. Lew Siew Boon from NEUC. It received enthusiastic feedback, with the audience actively participating in the Q&A session and eagerly engaging in discussions.

[5th Talk] Asst. Prof. Dr. Xie Kankan: “The Chinese National Salvation Movement: A Comparative of British Malaya and the Dutch East Indies, 1937-1942”

Lecture Postscript

The 5th session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 23th March 2022. The guest speakers for this event was Asst. Prof. Dr. Xie Kankan from the School of Foreign Languages, Peking University, China. It was attended by more than 240 people.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Xie Kankan holds a Ph.D. in History from the University of California, Berkeley. He is currently an assistant professor at the School of Foreign Languages at Peking University, with a research focus on modern and contemporary history of Indonesia. Dr. Xie has studied and conducted research in countries such as the United States, the Netherlands, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Dr. Xie's lecture is titled “The Chinese National Salvation Movement: A Comparative of British Malaya and the Dutch East Indies, 1937-1942.” It primarily introduces the anti-Japanese salvation movements among the Chinese in British Malaya and the Dutch East Indies from 1937 to 1942, comparing the two to highlight the differing perspectives between regions and countries. This will help the audience gain a clearer understanding of the overall landscape of the anti-Japanese salvation movement's development in Southeast Asia. The event was moderated by Assistant Professor Dr. Lew Siew Boon from NEUC. It received enthusiastic feedback, with the audience actively participating in the Q&A session and eagerly engaging in discussions.

[6th Talk] Lin Yun-Feng (PhD Candidate): “The Invisible Driving Force of Building Dutch Overseas Settlements: The Construction Activities of Overseas Chinese in Dutch Formosa and Malacca”

Lecture Postscript

The 6th session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 27th April 2022. The guest speakers for this event was Ms Lin Yun-Feng from Cultural Assets and Artistic Innovation of National Taipei University of the Arts. It was attended by more than 160 people.

Ms Lin holds a Master’s degree in Art History and Architectural History from the University of Virginia and a Master’s degree in Restoration and Preservation from North Umbria University in the UK. Her main research areas include the shared cultural heritage of Asia and the Americas during the Age of Exploration, the preservation of underwater cultural heritage, and marine cultural landscapes. She is currently an advisor at the Ting Hsin Cultural and Educational Foundation, responsible for promoting the preservation of cultural heritage and international exchange, as well as a lecturer at the Humanities and Arts Writing Center at National Taipei University of the Arts.

This lecture was titled “The Invisible Driving Force of Building Dutch Overseas Settlements: The Construction Activities of Overseas Chinese in Dutch Formosa and Malacca”. The lecture primarily employs a comparative analysis of urban construction in Tainan and Malacca to gain a deeper understanding of how the Dutch East India Company systematically established colonies in the 17th century. It explores the role that Chinese communities played in the urban development of Dutch colonies. The speaker's engaging presentation, enriched with visuals, allows the audience to clearly grasp the architectural developments in Malacca during the Dutch period and the contributions of the Chinese people. The event was moderated by Dr. Pua Shiau Chen from NEUC. It received enthusiastic feedback, with the audience actively participating in the Q&A session and eagerly engaging in discussions.

[7th Talk] Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wang Zhaohui: “When International Cooperation Meets Local Politics: Analyzing Belt and Road Initiative in Maritime Southeast Asia”

Lecture Postscript

The 7th session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 24th May 2022. The guest speakers for this event was Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wang Zhaohui from the School of International Relations and Nanyang Research Institute of Xiamen University. It was attended by more than 170 people.
Dr. Wang, graduated from the School of International Relations and the School of Economics of Renmin University of China, the London School of Political Economy, and the School of Political Science and International Studies of Warwick University, respectively, with double bachelor's, master's, and doctor's degrees. He is now an associate professor of the School of International Relations of Xiamen University and the Nanyang Research Institute. Dr. Wang's main research areas are international relations, comparative politics, political economy, and Asia Pacific regional studies.

This lecture was titled “When International Cooperation Meets Local Politics: Analyzing Belt and Road Initiative in Maritime Southeast Asia”. Taking Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore as examples, he analyzes the development and impact of the implementation of the “the Belt and Road” on neighboring countries from the perspective of diplomatic decision-making typology. The event was moderated by Dr. Wong Wai Shee from NEUC. The event received enthusiastic feedback, and the audience actively participated in the Q&A session, eager to engage in discussion. Especially international students from the New Era University College in Indonesia had in-depth exchanges with Dr. Wang on the social situation in Indonesia, and were recognized and praised by Dr. Wang.

[8th Talk] Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yao Chi-On: “Historical Archives and Historical Field: Guandi Morality Book and Intangible Cultural Heritage”

Lecture Postscript

The 8th session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 23th June 2022. The guest speakers for this event was Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yao Chi-On from Department of Chinese Literature at Chu Hai College of Higher Education in Hong Kong. It was attended by more than 190 people.

Dr. Yao holds a Ph.D. in Chinese History from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. His main research areas include charitable books and philanthropy during the Ming and Qing dynasties, Taoism in Hong Kong and overseas, folk beliefs, and intangible cultural heritage. Currently, Professor You serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Chinese Literature at Chu Hai College of Higher Education, a member of the Antiquities Advisory Board of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, a member of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee, and President of the Hong Kong branch of the International Society for the Study of Asia’s Folklore.

This lecture was titled “When International Cooperation Meets Local Politics: Analyzing Belt and Road Initiative in Maritime Southeast Asia”. Drawing from his extensive fieldwork experience in Guandi temples both in China and abroad, and his research on charitable book documents, he analyzed how the worship of Guan Gong not only holds significant social and educational value but also serves as a bridge and link connecting Chinese people around the world. The event was moderated by Assistant Professor Dr. Lew Siew Boon from NEUC. It received enthusiastic feedback, with the audience actively participating in the Q&A session and eagerly engaging in discussions.

[9th Talk] Dr Shen Qingli: “Wang Gungwu and Hsu ChoYun’s Dream of Cultural China”

Lecture Postscript

The 9th session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 23th July 2022. The guest speakers for this event was Dr Shen Qingli from the Chinese Department of Beijing Normal University. It was attended by more than 200 people.

This lecture was titled “Wang Gungwu and Hsu ChoYun’s Dream of Cultural China”. This lecture explored the theories developed over many years by Wang Gungwu and Hsu ChoYun, examining their contributions to the construction and practice of the "Chinese Dream" from a global perspective, as well as the rich insights their work offers. The event was moderated by Dr. Wong Siew Jye from NEUC. During the lively Q&A session, audience members actively participated, with one asking Dr. Shen how contemporary Chinese people can integrate into foreign cultures and form new, shared national cultures. Dr. Shen responded by citing China and Malaysia as prime examples, demonstrating not only the vibrant blend of multiculturalism but also the preservation of their unique cultural identities, serving as a model worth learning from.

[10th Talk] Dr. Ding Ruichang: “Mechanisms and Challenges of International Organizations’ Participation in Global Education Governance”

Lecture Postscript

The 10th session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 30th August 2022. The guest speakers for this event was Dr. Ding Ruichang from Beijing Normal University. It was attended by more than 200 people.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Ding Ruichang, holds a Ph.D. in Education jointly awarded by Beijing Normal University and Columbia University's Teachers College. He is currently a lecturer and graduate advisor at the Institute of International and Comparative Education at Beijing Normal University. Dr. Ding has participated in academic exchanges in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, Finland, Singapore, and Mexico. His research focuses on areas such as the education policies of international organizations, global education governance, and international and comparative education, and he has undertaken more than ten related research projects.

This lecture was titled “Mechanisms and Challenges of International Organizations’ Participation in Global Education Governance.” He compared the education systems of China and other countries, explored the academic connotations of global education governance, analyzed the mechanisms and nature of the participation of major international organizations in global education governance, and shared insights on the challenges faced by these organizations. The event was moderated by Dr. Wong Shwu Huey from NEUC, and included discussions between participants and Dr. Ding on the topic of education governance.

[11th Talk] Dr Zhang Beiyu: “Beyond stages: Chinese Theatre Troupes Touring the Chinese Diaspora in Southeast Aisa”

Lecture Postscript

The 11th session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 21th September 2022. The guest speakers for this event was Dr. Zhang Beiyu from the School of International Relations and the Research Institute of Overseas Chinese and Chinese Studies at Jinan University. It was attended by more than 170 people.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Zhang, holds a Master’s degree in Southeast Asian Studies from the National University of Singapore and a Ph.D. in History. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the School of International Relations and the Research Institute of Overseas Chinese and Chinese Studies at Jinan University. Her primary research interests include the cultural history of overseas Chinese, cultural heritage, and the role of music, opera, and dance in Cold War cultural diplomacy. Dr. Zhang was previously a visiting scholar at Leiden University in the Netherlands and a Category A postdoctoral researcher under the Macau University Hengqin Talent Program.

This lecture was titled “Beyond stages: Chinese Theatre Troupes Touring the Chinese Diaspora in Southeast Aisa.” Dr. Zhang emphasized that through these touring theatre troupes, the dynamic, contingent, and contextual interactions between the homeland and the diaspora are revealed. She also highlighted that in terms of Chinese identity, localization and Chineseness are not necessarily oppositional but rather coexist and continuously shape the identity of the Chinese diaspora. The event was moderated by Assistant Professor Dr. Lew Siew Boon from NEUC. Participants actively engaged with Dr. Zhang, discussing the dissemination of theatre genres in diaspora communities and issues surrounding Chinese identity.

[12th Talk] Professor Dr. Zhu Cunming: “A Time View of the “Sun and Moon Myths” in Han Paintings”

Lecture Postscript

The 12th session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 26th October 2022. The guest speakers for this event was Professor Dr. Zhu Cunming at Jiangsu Normal University and Director of the Jiangsu Higher Education Key Research Base. It was attended by more than 140 people.

The keynote speaker, Prof. Dr. Zhu Cunming, is an expert in aesthetic and folklore studies. In addition to serving as a visiting professor at Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan, he also holds several other positions, including Vice President of the Chinese Han Pictorial Art Society, Director of the Chinese Society for Literary Theory, Vice President of the Jiangsu Regional Culture Research Association, and Executive Director of the Jiangsu Aesthetics Society.

This lecture was titled “A Time View of the “Sun and Moon Myths” in Han Paintings.” Prof. Dr. Zhu emphasized that the concept of time is fundamental to the study of Han stone reliefs. He noted that ancient Chinese people were aware early on that humans live through countless cycles of the sun and moon, which led to the counter-rotation of the sun and moon becoming the most basic concept of time for them. As a result, the sun and moon became objects of cultural worship. The event was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pua Shiau Chen from NEUC. Participants actively engaged with Professor Dr. Zhu, discussing the artistry, uniqueness, and cultural significance of Han Dynasty stone reliefs.

[13rd Talk] Professor Dr. Sophia Shi-Huei Ho:“The Operational Situation and Effect of Educational Quality Assurance Mechanism in Taiwan”

Lecture Postscript

The 13th session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 23th November 2022. The guest speakers for this event was Professor Dr. Sophia Shi-Huei Ho, the Director of the Institute of Educational Administration and Evaluation at Taipei City University. It was attended by more than 240 people.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Sophia Shi-huei Ho, holds a Ph.D. in Education from George Washington University in the United States and is currently a professor and director at the Institute of Education Administration and Evaluation at National Taipei University. She also serves as the Deputy Executive Director of the Chinese Management Education Accreditation Organization (ACCBE), Secretary-General of the Taiwan Association for Institutional Research (TAIR), Convener of the Education Sector of the Ministry of Education's Teaching Practice Research Program in Taiwan, Review and Site Visit Committee Member of the Ministry of Education's Higher Education Deep Cultivation Program, Committee Member of the Ministry of Education's Teacher Training Evaluation and Accreditation Committee, and a committee member of the Southeast Asian Association for Institutional Research (SEAAIR) Secretariat. Professor Ho’s academic expertise includes higher education, institutional governance, student learning outcomes, the academic profession, and doctoral education.

This lecture was titled “The Operational Situation and Effect of Educational Quality Assurance Mechanism in Taiwan”. Over the past decade, Taiwan has continuously improved the performance of higher education and K-12 institutions in order to align with international standards and enhance the competitive advantage of its education system. As a result, both the Ministry of Education and local governments in Taiwan place great importance on the quality and distinctive performance of K-12 and university education. Dr.Sophia Shi-huei Ho, therefore, shared the current status and effectiveness of Taiwan’s education quality assurance operations from the perspectives of quality assurance policy planning and evaluation systems. The event was moderated by Dr. Wong Shwu Huey from NEUC. It received enthusiastic feedback, with the audience actively participating in the Q&A session and eagerly engaging in discussions.

[14th Talk] Dr Koh Chin Yee: “Transformation and Propagation of Nanyin in Singapore”

Lecture Postscript

The 14th session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 28th December 2022. The guest speakers for this event was Dr Koh Chin Yee from Singapore. It was attended by more than 190 people.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Koh Chin Yee, is the president of the Nanyang Society and an adjunct assistant professor at National Taiwan Normal University. He received his bachelor's through doctoral degrees from the National University of Singapore and Nanjing University, respectively. His research interests include the Singapore Chinese community, as well as social and economic studies of China and Singapore.

This lecture was titled “Transformation and Propagation of Nanyin in Singapore”. Dr. Koh began by discussing the introduction of Nanyin (Southern Music) to Singapore in the 19th century and how, over time, it has gone international, seeking innovation and breakthroughs within tradition. Dr. Koh proposed four developmental trends in this process: from mainstream to niche, from folk art to refined art, from singular to diverse, and from domestic to international. The event was moderated by Dr. Wong Siew Jye, Senior Lecturer from NEUC. It received enthusiastic feedback, with the audience actively participating in the Q&A session and eagerly engaging in discussions.

[15th Talk] Professor Dr. Zhang Sanxi: “A Discussion of the Motto’s Self-warning Significance”

Lecture Postscript

The 15th session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 22th February 2023. The guest speakers for this event was Professor Dr. Zhang Sanxi, from the School of Literature at Central China Normal University and a distinguished professor at the School of Literature at Harbin Normal University. It was attended by more than 200 people.

The keynote speaker, Prof. Dr. Zhang Sanxi, is a professor at the School of Literature at Central China Normal University and a distinguished professor at the School of Literature at Harbin Normal University. He holds a master's degree in literature and a Ph.D. in history. He has served as a lecturer in classical literature at Hubei University, an associate professor at the Institute of Historical Documents at Central China Normal University, a professor at the Social Science Research Center of Hainan University, a professor of classical literature and vice dean of the School of Literature at Hainan University, and a professor and doctoral advisor at the School of Literature at Central China Normal University. His areas of expertise include classical philology and cultural communication studies. Dr. Zhang has long been engaged in teaching and research in the fields of Chinese literature and history at various universities.

This lecture was titled “A Discussion of the Motto’s Self-warning Significance”. In this lecture, Prof. Dr. Zhang Sanxi focused on the concept of internal self-cultivation, discussing the Chinese traditional "self-reflection" culture through the specific literary form of inscriptions and the origins of the "motto." He also interpreted classic texts related to this topic and shared several personal motto recommendations. These mottos serve as effective tools for “self-alert” (self-warning and self-admonition), offering strong visibility, practicality, and adaptability. They help individuals establish principles for conduct and clarify and strengthen their sense of life purpose. The event was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tey Shi Bin from NEUC. It received enthusiastic feedback, with the audience actively participating in the Q&A session and eagerly engaging in discussions.

[16th Talk] Professor Liu Xinglin: “The Reason of the Rise of Qin Dynasty”

Lecture Postscript

The 16th session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 22th March 2023. The guest speakers for this event was Professor Liu Xinglin, a presenter on CCTV's "Lecture Room" program and currently the Director of the Institute of Chinese Studies at Haikou University of Economics. It was attended by more than 150 people.

Prof. Liu Xinglin graduated from the Chinese Department of Huazhong Normal College (now Huazhong Normal University) and taught there for 35 years, focusing on the teaching and research of literature from the Pre-Qin, Han, Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties periods. After retiring from Huazhong Normal University, Professor Liu worked at universities in Hainan for 12 years, serving as the Vice Dean of Teaching at Hainan Vocational College of Industry and Commerce, Vice Dean of the Institute of Humanities and Economics at Haikou University of Economics, and Director of the Institute of Chinese Studies.

This lecture was titled “The Reason of the Rise of Qin Dynasty”. He primarily explained the interpretation of the character "Qin," the relationship between Qin and China, and the rise of the Qin Dynasty—from being a vassal state during the Western Zhou to unifying the nation—as well as the factors behind Qin's ascent. He conducted an in-depth analysis of these topics, drawing from historical examples. He summarized several key factors behind "The Rise of Qin," discussing them from various perspectives, including "Courage and Integrity: Ambitious Aspirations and United Resolve," "Valuing Culture and Military Prowess: Upholding Culture in the Spring and Autumn Period, and Valuing Military Strength in the Warring States Period," "Virtuous Governance and Legal Systems: Virtuous Governance under Duke Mu and Legal Reforms under Duke Xiao," and "Siege and Blockade: Two Sieges during the Spring and Autumn Period and Five Blockades during the Warring States Period."

During the lecture, Prof. Liu captivated the audience with his remarkable storytelling skills, sparking great interest in the Qin Dynasty and the State of Qin. The event was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tey Shi Bin, from NEUC. It received enthusiastic feedback, with the audience actively participating in the Q&A session and eagerly engaging in discussions.

[17th Talk] Associate Professor Dr. Li Cheng:“The Seasonal Festivals in Classical Chinese Ci Poetry- Take the Dragon Boat Festival and Qixi Festival as examples”

Lecture Postscript

The 17th session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 26 April. The guest speakers for this event was Associate Professor Dr. Li Cheng, from the Department of Ancient Chinese Literature at the School of Literature, Central China Normal University. It was attended by more than 150 people.

Dr. Li Cheng holds a Ph.D. in Literature from Central China Normal University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the School of Literature, Nanjing University. He is currently an associate professor in the Department of Ancient Chinese Literature at the School of Literature, Central China Normal University, and a master's supervisor. His research focuses primarily on Ming and Qing dynasty literature and documents, with interests including Ming and Qing poetry criticism, ancient Chinese novels, and the compilation and study of Qing dynasty ci poetry documents.

In this lecture, Dr. Li will explore the writing of seasonal festivals in Chinese classical ci poetry, focusing on the Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu) and the Qixi Festival. China's traditional seasonal culture has a long history and still holds an important place in people's daily lives today. Ci poetry, being a highly lyrical literary form, offers rich and detailed depictions of these seasonal events. Using examples from ci poems on the Dragon Boat Festival and Qixi, Dr. Li will discuss the multiple meanings conveyed by poets over the generations, providing both historical and contemporary perspectives on China's seasonal cultural traditions and the evolution of ci poetry. The event was moderated by Ms Phang Hui Ting from NEUC. It received enthusiastic feedback, with the audience actively participating in the Q&A session and eagerly engaging in discussions.

[18th Talk] Professor Dr. Li Zhongguo: “The Goals and Mechanisms of Excellent Rural Primary School Teacher Training”

Lecture Postscript

The 18th session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 31 May. The guest speakers for this event was Professor Dr. Li Zhongguo, President of Jining Vocational and Technical College. It was attended by more than 130 people.

Dr. Li is a second-tier professor in Shandong Province, a postdoctoral researcher, and a doctoral supervisor. He is the president of Jining Vocational and Technical College and has previously served as the Dean of the School of Education at Linyi University, Director of the Social Sciences Department, Director of the Planning Department, and Director of the Policy Research Office. He is an expert in teacher education certification for the Ministry of Education, a member of the Ministry of Education’s Teaching Guidance Committee for Teacher Training in Higher Education, and has been recognized as a leading expert among mid-career professionals in Shandong Province. He is also a Shandong Province Teaching Excellence Award recipient, Vice Chairman of the National Committee on Primary School Teacher Education, and a standing member of the Educational Policy and Law Research Branch of the Chinese Society of Education.

In this lecture, Prof. Li focused on the goal orientation and innovative mechanisms for cultivating excellent rural primary school teachers. He discussed China's current teacher training approach, emphasizing practice-based education, with the implementation of the "Excellence in Teaching 2.0" initiative as the main thread, and aligning with the strategic direction of "China's Education Modernization 2035." Professor Li highlighted several key mechanisms to promote high-quality teacher development, including establishing a multi-standard curriculum system, innovating deeply collaborative training models, creating a comprehensive selection mechanism for top-quality students, fostering rural engagement through experiential learning, and enhancing practical training throughout the entire process. The event was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wang Ruixin from NEUC. It received enthusiastic feedback, with the audience actively participating in the Q&A session and eagerly engaging in discussions.

[19th Talk] Asst. Prof. Dr. Chan Cheow Thia: “Malaysian Crossings: Place and Language in the Worlding of Modern Chinese Literature”

Lecture Postscript

The 19th session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 28 June. The guest speakers for this event was Asst. Prof. Dr. Chan Cheow Thia, from the Department of Chinese Studies at the National University of Singapore. It was attended by more than 100 people.

The keynote speaker, Asst. Prof. Dr. Chan Cheow Thia, is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chinese Studies at the National University of Singapore. Dr. Chan holds a bachelor’s degree from the Department of Chinese at Fudan University, a Master of Philosophy in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (Sinology) from the University of Cambridge, and a Ph.D. from the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures at Yale University. His primary research interests include modern and contemporary Chinese literature, Sinophone studies (with a focus on Singaporean and Malaysian literature), diaspora studies, and Southeast Asian studies.

This lecture was titled “Malaysian Crossings: Place and Language in the Worlding of Modern Chinese Literature”. Dr. Chan introduced Malaysian Chinese (Mahua) literature to explain a unique way in which modern Chinese/Sinophone literature shapes and improves the world and its own creative conditions ("worlding"). This method involves writers adopting various writing strategies to connect different literary spaces across multiple scales. Dr. Chan highlighted how creators, through practice, negotiate the inter-Asian connections between Malaya/Malaysia and other Sinophone regions, focusing on how their works portray multilingual social realities and how they reflect on colonial Malaya or post-colonial Malaysia as legitimate literary subjects. These considerations permeate the literary worlds constructed in Mahua literature, incorporating the authors’ travel experiences, their mental shifts in creating unique literary languages for their local context, and the interactions between different communities. Dr. Chan argued that alternative perspectives generated in marginal spaces are crucial for understanding the globalization of Chinese/Sinophone literature. He also emphasized the internal diversity of the margins and the historical cross-regional connections, suggesting a re-mapping of global Chinese/Sinophone literature and even world literature. The event was moderated by Assistant Professor Dr. Lew Siew Boon from NEUC. It received enthusiastic feedback, with the audience actively participating in the Q&A session and eagerly engaging in discussions.

[20th talk] Dr Ou Zuan: “The Development and Governance of Danjia Fishing Village in Luhuitou Island of Hainan Province”

Lecture Postscript

The 20th session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 26 July. The guest speakers for this event was Dr Ou Zuan the Department of Ethnology and Anthropology at Minzu University of China. It was attended by more than 150 people.

Dr. Qu Zuan, is currently the Deputy Head of the Department of Ethnology and Anthropology at Minzu University of China and serves as the Deputy Secretary-General of the Taiwan Indigenous Studies Association. He has also participated in the "Cross-Strait and International Scholars Research Grant Program" at Taiwan's National Chengchi University and visited the Institute of Ethnology at Academia Sinica in Taiwan.

This lecture was titled “The Development and Governance of Danjia Fishing Village in Luhuitou Island of Hainan Province”. The presentation focused on the development and governance of the Danjia fishing village on the Luhuitou Peninsula in Sanya, Hainan, China. Since the Song Dynasty, fisheries development has been a key model for the development of China's coastal islands. Under various market and capital factors, the Danjia people have faced both the separation of "boats from ports" and "homes from ports," leading to a chaotic state in the fishing villages around the ports. Dr. Qu explored and analyzed how island governance could progress further. The event was moderated by Assistant Professor Dr. Lew Siew Boon from NEUC. It received enthusiastic feedback, with the audience actively participating in the Q&A session and eagerly engaging in discussions.

[21st Talk] Professor Dr. Wang Baolong: “A Silk Road Journey through Xinjiang’s Music”

Lecture Postscript

The 21st session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 30 August. The guest speakers for this event was Professor Dr. Wang Baolong from Xinjiang Arts University, who also serves as the Director of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Music Research Institute at Heze University. It was attended by more than 130 people.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Wang holds a Ph.D. from the Central Conservatory of Music, specializing in contemporary Chinese music. He is currently working at Xinjiang Arts University and serves as the Director of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Music Research Institute at Heze University. As of 2022, Dr. Wang has led and completed four national-level research projects, one regional-level (autonomous region) project, and four collaborative projects.

This lecture was titled "A Silk Road Journey through Xinjiang’s Music." The speaker first introduced Uyghur song and dance music, focusing on the commonalities and characteristics of "Zhuma" and "Sanam" music, which are widely circulated in Uyghur-inhabited areas. He then discussed the historical origins of Sanam, with an emphasis on the current state, musical features, and unique lyrics of Kucha Sanam. Additionally, he elaborated on the connection between Kucha Sanam and the ancient Kucha music and dance tradition. The event was moderated by Dr. Wong Siew Jye from NEUC. It received enthusiastic feedback, with the audience actively participating in the Q&A session and eagerly engaging in discussions.

[22nd Talk] Associate Professor Dr. Zhao Lihua: “Rituals and Performances- An Analytical Perspective on Interactive Reading”

Lecture Postscript

The 22nd session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 27 September. The guest speakers for this event was Associate Professor Dr. Zhao Lihua from the Communication Research Institute of the Communication University of China. It was attended by more than 70 people.

The guest speaker for this lecture, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zhao Lihua, holds a Ph.D. from Peking University and completed her postdoctoral studies at the Communication University of China. She was also a visiting scholar at the School of Communication at Ohio State University in the United States. Currently, she is a master's supervisor and associate professor at the Communication Research Institute (Editing and Publishing program) of the Communication University of China. She has long been engaged in editing and publishing practice, teaching, and research, with research focuses on digital publishing, reading theory, and university publishing.

This lecture was titled " Rituals and Performances- An Analytical Perspective on Interactive Reading." Her main research approach was divided into two parts: the perspective of media archaeology and the shift towards the everyday life context. Through the lens of media archaeology, Professor Zhao argued that this approach reveals the diversification of reading behaviors, requiring an exploration of the initial and unique reading modes that form the text. Meanwhile, examining reading research through the everyday life shift in media studies involves exploring how familiar reading impacts human cognition, emotions, and ethics. The event was moderated by Assistant Professor Dr. Lew Siew Boon from NEUC. It received enthusiastic feedback, with the audience actively participating in the Q&A session and eagerly engaging in discussions.

[23rd Talk] Associate Professor Dr. Sun Huiying: “Research on the Image Narrative of Chinese Festival Culture in the New-New Media Era”

Lecture Postscript

The 23rd session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 25 October. The guest speakers for this event was Associate Professor Dr. Sun Huiying from the Department of Journalism at the School of Journalism and Communication, Xiamen University. It was attended by more than 90 people.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sun Huiyin, graduated from the School of Liberal Arts at Renmin University of China with a Ph.D. in Literature. She is currently the Deputy Director of the Department of Journalism at the School of Journalism and Communication, Xiamen University, as well as the Secretary-General of the Taiwan and Overseas Chinese Media Committee of the Chinese Association for Journalism History, a Distinguished Expert at the World Chinese Media Research Center, and a member of the Fujian Province Documentary Professional Committee. Her main research areas include mobile media culture, film and television art, and cultural and creative industries. She teaches courses such as Film and Television Language, Radio and Television Interviewing, Cultural and Creative Industries, Short Video Production, and Mobile Media Culture.

This lecture was titled " Research on the Image Narrative of Chinese Festival Culture in the New-New Media Era". Chinese festival culture has a long history, and presenting and disseminating festival culture through visual media has been ongoing for nearly 40 years, starting with the first "Spring Festival Gala" in 1983. With the development of creative techniques and communication media, there has been a significant shift in how festival culture is narrated through imagery—from recorded to live broadcasts, from ritualistic and fixed formats to more story-driven and creative expressions, from enhancing the festive atmosphere to spreading festival culture, and from mere spectatorship (as an audience) to active participation (as users). As human communication enters the new media era, the narrative of festival culture through visual storytelling has changed significantly, driven by shifts in people’s understanding of festival culture, aesthetic narratives, and communication models. The lecture used programs and visual works like the "Chinese Festival Series" to explore these cultural transformations. The event was moderated by Assistant Professor Dr. Lew Siew Boon from NEUC. It received enthusiastic feedback, with the audience actively participating in the Q&A session and eagerly engaging in discussions.

[24th Talk] Prof. Dr Zhang Wei: “Spring Breeze and Gentle Rain: Exploring Chinese Traditional Opera”

Lecture Postscript

The 24th session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 29 November. The guest speakers for this event was Professor Dr Zhang Wei, the Dean of the School of Dramatic Arts at Shenyang Normal University. It was attended by more than 140 people.

Professor Dr. Zhang Wei, is currently the Dean of the School of Dramatic Arts at Shenyang Normal University. She is a member of the National Education Guidance Committee for Aesthetic Education in Higher Education under the Ministry of Education of China, a member of the Examination Guidance Committee for Art Majors in General Higher Education, the Vice President of the China Theatre Education Alliance, an outstanding teacher in the "Hundred Excellent Teachers in Chinese Opera" program by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, the Vice Chairman of the Liaoning Provincial Theatre Association, the Deputy Director of the Teaching Guidance Committee for Drama and Film Studies in Liaoning Province, the Director of the Drama Education Professional Guidance Committee in Liaoning Province, and a leading figure in the national first-class (performance) major. He has also hosted three national-level art fund projects.

This lecture was titled " Spring Breeze and Gentle Rain: Exploring Chinese Traditional Opera," focusing on the characteristics of operatic art, including its formality, virtuality, and comprehensiveness. Through demonstrations and explanations, he aimed to help the audience understand the cultural genes and aesthetic principles behind the unique style of operatic art, thereby deepening their appreciation of outstanding traditional Chinese culture. During the Q&A session, the audience actively asked questions, and the speaker provided detailed answers to all inquiries. The event was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pua Shiau Chen from NEUC. It received enthusiastic feedback, with the audience actively participating in the Q&A session and eagerly engaging in discussions.

[25th Talk] Professor Dr. Guo Xi: “The Inheritance of Overseas Chinese Language and Its Research”

Lecture Postscript

The 25th session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 27 December. The guest speakers for this event was Professor Dr. Guo Xi from Jinan University. It was attended by more than 180 people.

Professor Dr. Guo Xi, currently a professor at Jinan University, a distinguished researcher at the High-Precision Innovation Center for Language Resources, and the director of the Overseas Chinese Language Research Center. He is also a member of the Expert Committee on Chinese Language Education of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, a director of the Chinese Linguistic Society, and holds adjunct professor positions at several universities both domestically and internationally. Professor Guo has previously served as the dean of the College of Chinese Language and Literature and the Institute of Chinese Language Education at Jinan University, the vice president of Beijing Language and Culture University, the president of the Chinese Society of Sociolinguistics, a professor at Nanjing University, a visiting professor at the University of Khartoum in Sudan (where he also served as the head of the Department of Chinese), a visiting professor at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, a visiting scholar at the Chinese Language Research Center in Singapore, and a visiting scholar at the Hong Kong Institute of Education.

This lecture was titled " The Inheritance of Overseas Chinese Language and Its Research," focusing on the transmission of the Chinese language abroad. He emphasized that overseas Chinese have gradually migrated from China to various parts of the world at different times and through different channels, bringing "Chinese language" with them. Many overseas Chinese have successfully achieved intergenerational transmission, leading to the emergence of Chinese language varieties worldwide. Since the beginning of the new century, Chinese academia has made continuous progress in the study of overseas Chinese language and its transmission. The main content of the lecture included four points: first, the history of the Chinese language going abroad; second, the status of Chinese language use overseas; third, research on overseas Chinese language and its transmission; and finally, insights and reflections on these topics. The event was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wong Shwu Huey from NEUC. It received enthusiastic feedback, with the audience actively participating in the Q&A session and eagerly engaging in discussions.

【26th Talk】Assistant Professor Dr. Xu Guanmian: “Homeless Countryside: The Making of a Nanyang Plantation Society, 1684-1740”

Lecture Postscript

The 26th session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 31 January. The guest speakers for this event was Assistant Professor Dr. Xu Guanmian from Peking University. It was attended by more than 120 people.

Dr. Xu, obtained his bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in history from Leiden University in the Netherlands. He is currently an assistant professor in the Department of History at Peking University. His main research areas include colonial history, global history, and material cultural history, with a focus on the early modern Dutch colonial empire, Southeast Asia, and overseas Chinese communities.

This lecture was titled “Homeless Countryside: The Making of a Nanyang Plantation Society, 1684-1740”. The speaker utilized archival materials from the East India Company to excavate a segment of Asian plantation labor history, analyzing how an early modern plantation society in Nanyang was formed. He discussed why this society did not evolve into the smallholder society we are familiar with but instead adopted a plantation model. The lecture shared insights on why production, rather than reproduction, became the primary issue in this plantation society, and how this led to the emergence of a rural society that was not based on the family as the fundamental unit of production. The event was moderated by Assistant Professor Dr. Lew Siew Boon from NEUC. It received enthusiastic feedback, with the audience actively participating in the Q&A session and eagerly engaging in discussions.

【27th Talk】Dr. Teo Sum Lim: “An Exploration of Six Domains in the Interaction of Chinese Literature between Singapore and Malaysia, 1965-2015”

Lecture Postscript

The 27th session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 20 March. The guest speakers for this event was Dr. Teo Sum Lim from Chinese Language Department, Singapore University of Social Sciences. It was attended by more than 110 people.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Teo Sum Lim, holds a master's degree in literature from the National University of Singapore and a PhD in literature from Nanyang Technological University. He is currently a visiting lecturer in the Chinese Language Department at the Singapore University of Social Sciences.

This lecture was titled " An Exploration of Six Domains in the Interaction of Chinese Literature between Singapore and Malaysia, 1965-2015.” He detailed the cross-border exchanges of Chinese literature between the two countries over the past half-century since their separation in 1965, focusing on six arenas: participating in literary awards, serving as judges for literary awards, being included in literary anthologies/readers/collections, submitting works to literary journals, attending/co-hosting cultural events, and participating in literary academic seminars. The event was moderated by Dr. Wong Siew Jye from NEUC. It received enthusiastic feedback, with the audience actively participating in the Q&A session and eagerly engaging in discussions.

【28th Talk】Dr. Chen Tsung-Yuan: “The Sarawak Hakka Lion Dance: Folk Art, Politics, and Identity”

Lecture Postscript

The 28th session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 24 April. The guest speakers for this event was Dr. Chen Tsung-Yuan from Tamkang University. It was attended by more than 120 people.

Dr. Chen Tsung-Yuan, is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of History at Tamkang University, and serves as the Head of the Southeast Asian History Research Office. He previously held the position of Associate Professor at the School of International Relations/Institute of Overseas Chinese Studies at Huaqiao University, where he also served as the Director of the Indonesian Studies Center.

This lecture was titled " The Sarawak Hakka Lion Dance: Folk Art, Politics, and Identity." The speaker used the case study of the Hakka lion in Serian, Sarawak, to explore its development through three key threads: the transmission of folk art, ethnic politics, and Hakka identity. Dr. Chen observed that, due to widespread education and intermarriage, the boundaries between dialect groups have been blurred, prompting the younger generation of Hakka people to explore their ethnic roots and identity. The younger generation is reviving the once-faded Hakka lion dance in the region to strengthen their connection to Chinese and Hakka culture. The event was moderated by Assistant Professor Dr. Lew Siew Boon from NEUC. It received enthusiastic feedback, with the audience actively participating in the Q&A session and eagerly engaging in discussions.

【29th Talk】Asst. Prof. Dr. En Li: “Betting on the Civil Service Examinations: The Lottery in Late Qing China”

Lecture Postscript

The 29th session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 29 May. The guest speakers for this event was Asst. Prof. Dr. En Li from the Department of History at the University of Texas at Dallas. It was attended by more than 110 people.

Dr. Li graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in History and is currently an Assistant Professor in the History Department at The University of Texas at Dallas. Her research interests focus on the social and cultural history of modern China. She is the author of Betting on the Civil Service Examinations: The Lottery in Late Qing China (Harvard University Asia Center, 2023). In 2021, she received the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award from the College of Arts and Sciences at Drake University.

This lecture was titled “Betting on the Civil Service Examinations: The Lottery in Late Qing China”. “Wei Xing” was a highly organized gambling activity in 19th-century China, where players bet on the surnames of scholars participating in the imperial civil service exams. The imperial examination system, which began in the Tang Dynasty and ended around 1905, was the primary means for selecting new officials. Dr. Li explained the betting process of "Wei Xing" and placed the history of lotteries within the broader context of late Qing China. She outlined how a civic community centered around lotteries developed, with the lottery also serving as a link between regions such as Guangdong and Chinese immigrants in Southeast Asia and North America. Through this lens of exams and gambling, the lecture provided a fresh perspective on late Qing society. The event was moderated by Assistant Professor Dr. Lew Siew Boon from NEUC. It received enthusiastic feedback, with the audience actively participating in the Q&A session and eagerly engaging in discussions.

【30th Talk】Prof. Dr. Ralf Vollmann: “The Hakka language and culture in Europe”

Lecture Postscript

The 30th session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 26 June. The guest speakers for this event was Prof. Dr. Ralf Vollmann from the Department of Linguistics at the University of Vienna, Austria. It was attended by more than 100 people.

Prof. Dr. Ralf Vollmann, graduated from the University of Vienna, specializing in linguistics, Tibetan studies, and anthropology. He previously worked at the Austrian Academy of Sciences (Department of Linguistics and Phonetics) and is now a professor of linguistics at the University of Graz. His research areas include sociophonetics, child language development, Tibetan linguistics, language typology, and Hakka studies. Currently, his focus is on multilingualism and related research, especially in Asian and European overseas Hakka communities.

In this lecture, Prof. Dr. Ralf Vollmann shared his research on the Hakka community, revealing that Hakka migration from China to Europe has led to linguistic diversity in local communities. For example, the Hakka in the Netherlands are first-generation immigrants from Hong Kong, Suriname, and Indonesia, who introduced new languages to Dutch society. However, subsequent generations have stopped using Hakka and integrated into Dutch culture. In Vienna, Indian Hakka migrants stay connected with their overseas relatives, with the older generation working in the food industry and continuing to use Hakka. However, the younger generation, who pursue diverse careers, have gradually weakened their Hakka identity, reducing the importance of the Hakka language. Younger people tend to use mainstream languages like Dutch and German. Although local associations strive to protect and preserve Hakka identity, this effort is largely symbolic. This lecture provided insightful discussions on the development and current situation of the Hakka in Europe. The event was moderated by Mr Ng Khai Boon from NEUC. It received enthusiastic feedback, with the audience actively participating in the Q&A session and eagerly engaging in discussions.

【31st Talk】Prof. Dr. Li Qirong: “The Role of Overseas Chinese as a Bridge and Link in Sino-French Friendly Relations”

Lecture Postscript

The 31st session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 17 July. The guest speakers for this event was Prof. Dr. Li Qirong from Central China Normal University. This lecture was titled “The Role of Overseas Chinese as a Bridge and Link in Sino-French Friendly Relations”. It was attended by more than 100 people.

The keynote speaker, Prof. Dr. Li Qirong, is a professor at the Center for International Migration and Overseas Chinese Studies at Central China Normal University. He is the founding director of the Wuhan Research Center for Overseas Chinese Affairs and the Research Base for Overseas Chinese Affairs Theories of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. Professor Li has also served as a distinguished professor at Lishui University, dean of the Overseas Chinese College, and a member of the academic committee. Currently, he is a distinguished professor at the Guangxi ASEAN College and the China-ASEAN Regional and Country Studies Institute. He has lectured, conducted research, and participated in academic exchanges at institutions such as Harvard University, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Copenhagen, the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, and the University of Malaya. His primary research fields are international migration and overseas Chinese studies.

In this lecture, Prof. Dr. Li Qirong approached the topic from a historical perspective, using broad viewpoints and vivid examples to explain his research focus on the role of overseas Chinese as a bridge in Sino-French relations. He provided a rich and insightful academic presentation. The event was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wong Shwu Huey from NEUC. It received enthusiastic feedback, with the audience actively participating in the Q&A session and eagerly engaging in discussions.

【32nd Talk】Prof. Dr. Chang Chak Yan: “The Cultural Values of Nanyang University”

Lecture Postscript

The 32nd “Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series” , hosted by New Era College, co-organized by the “Malaysia Chinese Weekly,” and planned and executed by NEUC Tan Lark Sye Institute and Institute of International Education (IIE), attracted around 270 people to participate and engage in discussions.

This lecture invited Prof. Dr. Chang Chak Yan, former professor and department head of the Department of Political Science and Administration at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, as well as an alumnus of the fifth graduating class of Nanyang University, to be the keynote speaker. The topic was “The Cultural Values of Nanyang University”.

Prof. Dr. Chang Chak Yan, obtained his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Nanyang University in 1963 and subsequently earned his master's and doctoral degrees in Political Science from the University of Western Ontario in Canada and the State University of New York at Binghamton, respectively. He joined the Department of Political Science and Administration at The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1977, where he served as a lecturer, professor, and department head. His research interests include issues concerning overseas Chinese, Hakka studies, Chinese foreign policy, international relations in Asia, and politics and government in Southeast Asia. He remains active in academia, currently teaching at several universities in Hong Kong and actively promoting cultural education.

In this lecture, Prof. Dr. Chang shared the unique educational model of Nanyang University. Reflecting on universities around the world today, he believes that higher education currently emphasizes technical skills and knowledge acquisition solely to provide students with a stepping stone to secure jobs after graduation. However, such an educational system only fosters individuals who are adept at competition but lack the ability to unite people.

In contrast, when Nanyang University was established in the 1950s, it already criticized this model. Professor Cheng argues that the special value of Nanyang University lies in its educational system that emphasizes cultural cultivation and the bonds between individuals to promote a harmonious society, rather than solely focusing on cultivating a competitive society.

He points out that today’s higher education needs to break through traditional molds by showcasing its value through cultural education and emphasizing mutual understanding among people, rather than merely academic achievements. Professor Dr. Chang explained the enduring cultural value of Nanyang University in an accessible manner for audiences unfamiliar with its history, leading to active exchanges with the audience during the Q&A session. The lecture was hosted by Mr Wong Ching Yong.

【33rd Talk】Prof. Takeshi Hamashita: “The Influence of Qiaopi on Economic, Social and Cultural Aspects from the 18th century to early 20th century”

Lecture Postscript

The 33rd session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College (IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 21 August. The guest speakers for this event was Prof. Takeshi Hamashita, a senior researcher from the Institute for Advanced Humanistic Studies at Sun Yat-sen University and a renowned Japanese historian. This lecture was titled “The Influence of Qiaopi on Economic, Social and Cultural Aspects from the 18th century to early 20th century”.  It was attended by more than 120 people.

The keynote speaker, Prof. Takeshi Hamashita, is currently a senior researcher at the Institute for Advanced Humanistic Studies at Sun Yat-sen University. He is a renowned Japanese historian and sinologist, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS), and a recipient of the World Chinese Studies Contribution Award. He has served as a professor at the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University and has held visiting research and teaching positions at prestigious institutions such as the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in France, Cornell University in the United States, and the University of Hong Kong. He is also a part-time professor at Peking University and Tsinghua University. His main research areas include the economic history of China, East Asia, and the history of overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia.

In this lecture, Prof. Takeshi Hamashita explained the financial, trade, and socio-cultural networks that have formed in Southeast Asia and South China since the second half of the 19th century from the perspective of remittances. He has a strong interest in regional economics and Asian finance and has conducted multiple field studies in the southeastern coastal regions of China and Southeast Asia, particularly in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. After engaging with the records of HSBC branches in Malacca and Yangon, as well as the remittance agencies in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, he developed a profound understanding of issues related to overseas Chinese and remittances, integrating these insights into his maritime history research for this presentation. Following the lecture, the audience and the moderator engaged in an in-depth discussion with the speaker regarding remittance issues. This lecture was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tey Shi Bin from NEUC.

【34th Talk】Dr. Apiradee Charoensenee & Dr. Liang Jing: "Research on Thai Royal Court Members and Chinese Translations"

Lecture Postscript

The 34^th session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College(IIE, NEUC) and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on 25^th September. The guest speakers for this event were Dr. Apiradee Charoensenee and Dr. Liang Jing from Chulalongkorn University in Thailand. Their lecture, titled "Research on Thai Royal Court Members and Chinese Translations," explored the contributions of the Thai royal family to the translation of Chinese works. Since Chaophraya Phraklung, a member of King Rama I’s court, translated Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the royal family has played an essential role in translating Chinese classics. This role became particularly prominent after the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China in 1975, which led to significant advancements in translation efforts between the two countries.

Dr. Apiradee Charoensenee, one of the speakers, is an alumna of the National University of Singapore’s Department of Chinese Studies and currently serves as the head of the Department of Oriental Languages at Chulalongkorn University. Her research focuses on Sinology, the Chinese community in Thailand, and Chinese culture and society. Dr. Liang Jing holds a PhD in Ancient Chinese Literature from Fudan University and is a Chinese government-sponsored lecturer. She is currently a visiting professor in the Chinese Department at Chulalongkorn University. Her research interests include comparative literature and the translation of Chinese classics. Additionally, she is a contracted writer with the Luoyang Writers’ Association and has authored a poetry collection titled North of Nanshan, which centers on modern poetry.

In their lecture, Dr. Charoensenee and Dr. Liang outlined four distinct stages in the history of Thai-Chinese translation, highlighting the significance and characteristics of each phase. They emphasized that translation not only offers insights into Thailand’s perspective on China but also reflects China’s view of Thailand, creating a two-way cultural exchange. Among the Thai royal family members, Princess Sirindhorn has been the most influential figure in this cultural exchange. Since the establishment of Thai-Chinese diplomatic relations, she has published 14 translated collections of poetry and novels, significantly contributing to the cultural dialogue between the two nations.

Following the lecture, during a Q&A session, the audience and the moderator exchanged views with the speakers on the subject of Thai-Chinese translation. The event was moderated by Assistant Professor Dr. Lew Siew Boon from NEUC.

【35th Talk】Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ziying You: “Defining Global Asian Folklore Studies”

Lecture Postscript

The 35^th session of the "Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series," organized by the Institute of International Education, New Era University College and the Tan Lark Sye Institute, was held on October 30^th. The guest speaker, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ziying You from the University of Georgia, presented a lecture titled “Defining Global Asian Folklore Studies.” She discussed the establishment of global Asian folklore studies within the context of integrating global Asian studies and critical folklore studies.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ziying You is an Associate Professor of Comparative Literature and Intercultural Studies at the University of Georgia and an affiliated Professor at the Center for Asian Studies. She currently serves on the executive board of the American Folklore Society and is the Senior Convener of Transnational Asia/Pacific section. Her research interests encompass Chinese literature, folklore studies, critical heritage studies, women’s and gender studies, anti-Asian racism, and global health. Her published works include Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Chinese and Chinese American Women: Racisms, Feminisms, and Foodways (2025) and Folk Literati, Contested Tradition, and Heritage in Contemporary China: Incense Is Kept Burning (2020). She is also a co-editor of Chinese Folklore Studies Today: Discourse and Practice (2019) and the English special issues Intangible Cultural Heritage in Asia: Traditions in Transition (2020) and Covid Narratives in China and the US (2025).

In her lecture, Dr. You emphasized that global Asian folklore studies employ interdisciplinary and intersectional research methods to focus on the racialized and gendered experiences of Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) individuals and communities. She highlighted the discrimination, inequality, and oppression these groups encounter in their daily lives. The objectives of global Asian folkloristics are twofold: first, to enhance the lives, representation, and visibility of Asian and Pacific communities in America; second, to foster broader alliances in response to the challenges currently facing Transnational Asia/Pacific within the American Folklore Society. This represents a form of “care work” for our global community, creating a dialogue space for Asian and Pacific folklorists, scholars of Asian and Pacific folklore, and their allies, with the goal of achieving healing and alliance-building. Dr. You demonstrates her social commitment as a folklorist and applies it in her research.

Following the lecture, a Q&A session allowed the audience and the moderator to engage with Dr. You on the topic of global Asian folklore studies. The event was moderated by Assistant Professor Dr. Lew Siew Boon from NEUC.

【36th Talk】Dr. Wu Jingling: “Staple Food or Commodity? The Relations between Thai Rice and Nation-state Building (1930s-1940s)”

Lecture Postscript

The 36^th session of the Tan Lark Sye series lecture took place on 27^th November 2024, featuring Dr. Wu Jingling, a postdoctoral researcher at the Southeast Asia Research Center of South China Normal University, as the guest speaker. Dr. Wu’s lecture, titled "Staple Food or Commodity? The Relationship Between Thai Rice and Nation-Building (1930s-1940s)," examined the complex interplay between Thai rice and the nation-building efforts of the era.

Dr. Wu, a scholar specializing in the history of Chinese communities in Southeast Asia, earned her Ph.D. in Chinese Studies from the National University of Singapore in 2020 and has published extensively in her field. In her talk, she explored the challenges Thailand faced during the turbulent 1930s and 1940s, a period of profound transformation and political instability. These challenges included the transition from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy, the emergence of a Thai-centred cultural and political identity that fuelled ethnic tensions, and the delicate task of maintaining national independence while navigating a colonial-dominated international landscape.

Central to this nation-building process was rice, Thailand’s most significant economic industry. Dr. Wu illustrated how rice served not only as a staple food but also as a crucial economic, cultural, and political resource, entangled with the nation’s socio-political and economic dilemmas. By examining rice’s roles as food, crop, and commodity, she shed light on its critical function in shaping the Thai nation-state during this formative period.

The lecture concluded with an engaging Q&A session, where the audience and moderator delved deeper into the topics of rice’s significance and the role of Chinese rice merchants in Thailand’s rice industry and nation-building efforts. The session was moderated by Asst. Prof. Dr. Lew Siew Boon of New Era University College.

【37th Talk】Dr. Li Chili: “Developing and Validating a Scale for Measuring Pre-service Chinese as an Additional Language Teachers' Beliefs”

Lecture Postscript

The 37th session of the Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series took place on 8th January 2025, featuring Prof. Dr. Li Chili, a Professor and Vice Dean of the School of Foreign Languages at Hubei University of Technology, as the guest speaker. Prof. Li’s lecture, titled "Developing and Validating a Scale for Measuring Pre-service Chinese as an Additional Language Teachers’ Beliefs," showcased the application of ROST-CM6, SPSS 26.0, and AMOS 24.0 in constructing and cross-validating the reliability and validity of the Pre-service CAL Teachers’ Belief Scale.

Prof. Dr. Li Chili, who holds a PhD in Applied Linguistics from the University of Liverpool, is a professor at the School of Foreign Languages, Hubei University of Technology. His research interests include Applied Linguistics and Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (TCSOL). He has served as the principal investigator for over ten provincial and national research projects. His works have been published in several SSCI-indexed journals, including International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Porta Linguarum, System, Sage Open, and others. Additionally, his recent manuscript was published by Springer Nature in 2021. Prof. Li also serves as an anonymous reviewer for approximately 20 SSCI-indexed journals, such as Applied Linguistics Review, Modern Language Journal, International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, and System.

In his lecture, Prof. Li presented findings confirming that the scale demonstrates strong reliability and validity, comprising three dimensions: Chinese Teaching Belief, Chinese Language Belief, and Chinese Learners’ Belief. To further investigate, 443 pre-service CAL teachers were surveyed, revealing that their teacher beliefs were generally strong. Among these, Chinese Teaching Belief was the strongest, followed by Chinese Language Belief, while Chinese Learners’ Belief was relatively weaker. Significant differences were also observed in overall beliefs and specific dimensions among pre-service CAL teachers based on their learning stages and CAL teaching experiences.

The lecture concluded with an engaging Q&A session, during which the audience and moderator explored topics related to international Chinese language teachers, research methods, and research tools in greater detail. The session was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wang Ruixin of New Era University College.