Wang Yuhui – the first 2023 recipient of the Margaret Wang Memorial Master’s Scholarship that encourages research on literature, particularly that produced by Southeast Asian writers who write in Chinese or English – credits the courses he has taken at NUS Chinese Studies for inspiring his interest in pursuing research work on classical Chinese poetry in Singapore, and he mentions two courses in particular.

“In my first semester here at NUS, I was fortunate enough to take a course on Singapore’s classical Chinese Poetry – Prescribed Texts in Literature – offered by Associate Professor Lam Lap [NUS Chinese Studies],” says the candidate for a Masters (Research) in Chinese Studies, who admits he was impressed by Assoc Prof Lam’s profound knowledge of the subject and his teaching acumen. The second course was Topics in Chinese History taught by Associate Professor Huang Jianli (NUS History), which Wang says provided him a deeper understanding of key themes and issues in the developing history of the overseas Chinese, such as the Chinese diaspora, Chinese-ness, native-place belonging and transnationalism.

Collectively, all his studies toward his first Masters degree – the Master of Arts (Chinese Language and Culture), which he attained in 2022 – not only enriched his knowledge of the history and literature of the overseas Chinese, but also sparked his appreciation of traditional Chinese literature and ultimately led him to his current research focus. “Through the continual study of Southeast Asian Chinese diaspora studies and Singaporean classical Chinese poetry, I gradually realised the importance of traditional Chinese literature for further understanding what was on the minds and in the hearts of some early Chinese immigrants,” says Wang, who believes that the inner thoughts and complex emotions of these settlers from past centuries can be fully contained and expressed in the medium of Chinese poetry, and the plain record of historical documents and investigations is limited in this respect.

“I sincerely hope that my future research can provide some different aspects for the study of Chinese diaspora and Chinese overseas literature,” says Wang, who also expresses thanks for the Margaret Wang Memorial Master’s Scholarship award. “It is my honour, and I am very grateful to Professor Wang Gungwu and the University for this award, as it has lightened my load and enabled me to focus better on my research."

About the Margaret Wang Memorial Master's Scholarship and Margaret Wang Master's Scholarship in Literature
The Margaret Wang Memorial Master’s Scholarship was set up by Professor Wang Gungwu (Chairman of the East Asian Institute and University Professor of NUS, and Emeritus Professor of the Australian National University) in loving memory of his wife, Mrs Margaret Wang, and to encourage research on literature, specifically the works of Southeast Asian writers who write in Chinese or English. The scholarship is open for applications. To learn more, click here.

The newly launched sister scholarship, the Margaret Wang Master’s Scholarship in Literature, is also currently open for applications. To find out more, click here.