Message from Department Chairman

Welcome to the Department of History, CUHK!

Each year in the orientation I confirm that you are wise to choose History as the major programme in CUHK. We have the most attractive humanity program in Hong Kong. In terms of teaching faculty, we have 15 to 16 professors and 5 lecturers, and a number of part-time and adjunct professors. Our renowned faculty members guide more than 340 talented students through our interesting and challenging courses.

The Department of History provides valuable opportunities to cultivate your history profession. Our programme leads students to explore major historical events, crises and many kinds of movements in history from cultural, military, economic and political perspectives. I believe our highly competitive undergraduate program attracts the most dynamic students.

We train students with history skills of research and synthesis, thinking and analysis, data examination and interpretation. More importantly, we provide advice to students in preparation for future employment and engagement as national and global citizens.

You may note that history students are much more well-equipped than before, especially in connection with the society. Instead of focusing their studies and training on historiography, national history, literature and archaeological artifacts, many students extend their learning activities in the public space, apply their history profession in current issues, and practice history beyond classroom for the betterment of the society. Absorbing the experience from history, history students may find our program consisting of all knowledge components to resolve social cruxes. History students find it much challenging when they apply historical analyze beyond academy to a variety of social settings. However, in whatever situation, with the efforts of our dearest colleagues and all our students, I believe that pursuing professional knowledge for historical truth and achieving vigor in historical research remain our ultimate goal.

Finally, I wish all freshmen enjoy your studies in our department and have a glorious future after your graduation. 

Professor LAI Ming Chiu
Chairman, Department of History

Welcome back!

Hope you all had a wonderful summer and wish you a successful academic year ahead!

Our warmest welcome to all new students of the Department of History!

Congratulations to Prof. HE Xi on securing a grant from the RGC General Research Fund 2020-21 for her research on Letter-writing Manuals (chidu) from the Late Qing to the Republic: Insights into Ordinary Lives, Families and Business. [Details …]

Congratulations to Prof. LAI Ming Chiu on securing a grant from the RGC General Research Fund 2020-21 for his research on An Analysis of the Social Life and Local Community of the Linxiang County during Eastern Han Period: Evidence of the Wooden Manuscripts from Wuyi Square of the Changsha Province. [Details …]

Congratulations to Prof. Ian MORLEY on securing a grant from the RGC General Research Fund 2020-21 for his research on Building up the Philippines for Independence: The Commonwealth Era and the Bureau of Public Works. [Details …]

Congratulations to Prof. TSE Wai Kit Wicky on securing a grant from the RGC General Research Fund 2020-21 for his research on In the Thick of War – Depicting Military Operational Experiences in Early and Early Medieval China. [Details …]

Congratulations to Prof. Ian MORLEY on achieving the status of Senior Fellow from the UK Professional Standards Framework and awarding the Bosma Prize in Planning History Innovation 2020 from the International Planning History Society (IPHS) for his book American Colonisation and the City Beautiful: Filipinos and Planning in the Philippines, 1916-35 (London, Routledge, 2019). [Details …]

Students who wish to change their 2020-21 First Term course enrolments are reminded to do so via the CUSIS during the following specified add/drop periods:

Undergraduate programme: Between 8:30pm on 14 September 2020 and 8:30pm on 20 September 2020

Postgraduate programmes: Between 10am on 7 September 2020 and 5:30pm on 21 September 2020

The University announced that classes in 2020-21 will be conducted online until such time as the pandemic stabilizes. If students would like to join a class without registering it during the add/drop period, please contact the TA of respective courses for arrangement.

Prof. CHEUNG Sui Wai succeeded Prof. HO Pui Yin as Graduate Division Head with effect from 1 August 2020.  The Department would like to extend its appreciation to Prof. HO for her contributions to the Graduate Division.

Prof. PUK Wing Kin succeeded Prof. CHEUNG Sui Wai as Director of M.A. Programme in Comparative and Public History with effect from 1 August 2020.  The Department would like to extend its appreciation to Prof. CHEUNG for his contributions to the M.A. Programme.

Prof. HE Xi has been reappointed as Associate Professor with effect from 1 August 2020.

Prof. HO Pui Yin retired at the end of July 2020.  The Department would like to extend its appreciation to Prof. HO for her contributions to the Department.  

Prof. HO is now appointed as Senior Research Fellow of the Department.

Prof. David FAURE retired at the end of August 2020.  The Department would like to extend its appreciation to Prof. FAURE for his contributions to the Department.

Furthermore, congratulations to Prof. FAURE for being awarded the title of Emeritus Professor with effect from 1 September 2020.

Dr. MA Muk Chi left the Department on 31 July 2020.  The Department would like to extend its appreciation to Dr. MA for his contributions to the Department.

Recapping the Academic Talk “City Development and Urban History” conducted by Prof. Ian MORELY on 29 April 2020

Supporting quality learning off campus during the pandemic, CUHK distinguished speakers will deliver a series of online talks to explore important topics from their own professions in “Class Acts”.  Prof. Ian MORLEY was invited and hosted a talk entitled “City Development and Urban History” on 29 April 2020. 

In this presentation, Prof. MORLEY has given an introduction to urban history and demonstrated studying urban history can help us to better comprehend our cities today.  You are welcome to watch the full video of this talk at CUTV or YouTube.

Recapping the Orientation Workshop for Research Postgraduate Students 2020-21 conducted on 24 August 2020

The Orientation Workshop for Research Postgraduate Students was conducted on 24 August 2020. The workshop was hosted by Prof. CHEUNG Sui Wai, Division Head and with the welcome speech delivered by Prof. LAI Ming Chiu, Chairman.  It provided an overview of the Department and programme features to postgraduate students. Miss Emily CHEUNG, Assistant Lecturer, then gave a briefing on the role of teaching assistants in the Department. 

Recapping the “Academic Counselling for New Students of the Undergraduate Programme” conducted on 25 August 2020

To enable new students to gain a better understanding of the Undergraduate Programme offered by the Department of History, the Department organised an academic counselling session on 25 August 2020, with an attendance of 60 new students. 

The academic counselling session was hosted by Prof. TSE Wai Kit Wicky and with the welcome speech delivered by Prof. LAI Ming Chiu, Chairman.  Prof. TSE provided information on programme features, study schemes and course selection requirements.  The Department’s senior undergraduate students were also invited to share their fruitful university life. 

For teachers and students who have information to share with the Department,
please email your articles in both Chinese and English to chanfiona@cuhk.edu.hk by 4:00pm every Tuesday.