The Yale-China Association, called “Yale-in-China” for much of the 20th century, was established in early 1900s by graduates and staff members of Yale University, with an aim to promote modern education and medicine in China. In the early 20^th century, Yale-in-China established medical and educational institutions in Hunan, which have since become nationally recognized leaders in health and education today.

1953: Professor Harry R. Rudin, Head of the History Department of Yale University, travelled to Hong Kong to meet Mr. Ch’ien Mu. Impressed by New Asia College’s ideals and early achievements, he recommended that Yale-China provide financial and other support to New Asia.

1954: Collaboration between Yale-in-China and the College commenced. The Association subsidized the annual expenditure of the College. Plans were also developed to build a permanent campus and a sizable library collection for the College.

After collaborations began between the two institutions, the financial difficulties faced by the College were substantially overcome:

1956-60:

With the donations from Ford Foundation, the Yale-in-China Association implemented its plan to build a permanent New Asia campus on Farm Road, which marked a milestone of the College’s development.

Thanks to the Yale-in-China Association’s support, expansion of the College’s faculties continued during the Farm Road era:

1959:

The Department of Fine Arts was established with increased subsidies from the Yale-in-China Association.

1960-61:

Reverend Sidney Lovett proposed a new Faculty of Science for the College. The Departments of Mathematics, Biology, Physics and Chemistry were then founded.

1963:

The New Asia-Yale-in-China Chinese Language Centre was founded to offer language training for Cantonese and Putonghua learners.

1973-78:

Yale-China supported the construction of staff quarters (Friendship Lodge, 1975) and a student hostel (Xuesi Hall, 1978) on the College campus.

1989:

Yale-China Scholarships were established to support College students with outstanding academic performance, leadership qualities and commitment to community service.

Starting in 1956, each year Yale-China has appointed two Yale graduates to live at New Asia College for two years, where they teach English Language while also co-organizing debates, sports and other extra-curricular activities.

In recent years, these Yale-China Teaching Fellows have been teaching literature and writing in CUHK’s Department of English. They are also responsible for two College General Education courses on American history and culture, while hosting activities such as the “English Evenings”.

In 2014, the Yale-China Association, the New Asia College and the CUHK Faculty of Education initiated the “Yale-China Chinese Teaching Fellowship Programme”. Under the programme, two CUHK graduates are selected each year to teach Chinese language and culture, and to lead extra-curricular activities in primary and secondary schools in New Haven, Connecticut.

New Asia College/Yale University Student Exchange (YUNA) Programme established in 1993:

Every Lunar New Year, eight New Asia students visit the United States for two weeks, during which they present their research on a certain theme to students and faculties in Yale University at a seminar, while participating in lectures, institution visits and enrichment activities on and off the New Haven campus. In March of the same year, Yale students come to New Asia College, and engage in academic and enrichment activities in Hong Kong.