Lingnan University (The University) today organised the first public lecture of “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Distinguished Visiting Professorship of Modern Chinese Literature at Lingnan University” (HKJC Professorship) Scheme in 2010. Prof Liu Zaifu, former Director of the Institute of Literature at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and one of the most influential critics of contemporary Chinese literature, was invited to give a lecture entitled “Genius in Literacy Arts”.

Prof Liu’s rigorous analysis and lively discussion of the “genius” phenomenon in literatures covered a range of Chinese and Western writers. The lecture benefited an audience of over 200 people, including scholars, teachers, students and literature lovers, enriching their knowledge of a fascinating topic not often explored in modern Chinese literature.

This is the second year of the HKJC Professorship scheme, Mr Douglas So, Executive Director, Charities, Legal & Corporate Secretariat of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said at the opening ceremony: “Every year, internationally renowned scholars from the Mainland or overseas are invited to Lingnan University for a semester of exchange under ‘The Hong Kong Jockey Club Distinguished Visiting Professorship of Modern Chinese Literature’. The Professorship not only extends the academic development of Lingnan’s Chinese Department, but also reaches out to secondary schools, benefiting teachers through workshops and the public through open lectures. The Hong Kong Jockey Club had a long history of contributing to Hong Kong’s education development, we are happy to support this 5-year scheme for the further development of contemporary Chinese literature in local teaching and research.”

President Chan Yuk-Shee remarked that the University is committed to the provision of Liberal Arts Education. With experienced professors assembled in the Department of Chinese, The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s generous sponsorship of the 5-year HKJC Professorship Scheme not only enriches students’ knowledge and critique skills but also raises the status of modern Chinese literature in the local academia.

“The Hong Kong Jockey Club Distinguished Visiting Professorship of Modern Chinese Literature at Lingnan University” Scheme invited two renowned scholars to be visiting professors in 2010. They were Prof Liu Zaifu, former Director of the Institute of Literature at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and one of the most influential critics of contemporary Chinese Literature and Prof Wolfgang Kubin, Head of the Department of Oriental & Asian Studies of the University of Bonn.

Prof Kubin’s public lecture entitled “The Relationship between Modern Chinese Literature and Foreign Languages” will be delivered on 15 March 2010, followed by an international conference “Modern Chinese Literature Studies Abroad” hosted by Department of Chinese on 31 March 2010. Besides, the Department’s professors, Prof Liu and Prof Kubin, scholars from Mainland China, Japan and Korea will also attend.

 
 (from left) Prof Xu Zidong, Department of Chinese, Prof Wolfgang Kubin, Professor Chan Yuk-Shee, President of the University, Mr Douglas So, Executive Director of HKJC Charities, Legal & Corporate Secretariat, Prof Liu Zaifu and Prof Lee Hung-kai, Dean of Students.   Prof Liu Zaifu