Singapore, 23 April 2018 – A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed today between the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) and the Department of Chinese Studies (DCS), Faculty Arts and Social Science, National University of Singapore (NUS) by Mr Low Sze Wee, CEO of SCCC and Dr Koh Khee Heong, Associate Professor and Acting Head of DCS. This marks a first-time collaboration by the SCCC with another institution to develop, support, promote and enrich the study, research and publication on Singapore Chinese culture, looking into areas of linguistics, literature, philosophy, and Chinese-English translation.
The MOU will remain in force for a period of two years and is renewable upon mutual agreement between both parties. Under which, three key deliverables have been agreed upon between the SCCC and the DCS, which include the publication and showcase of articles by NUS students; the conceptualisation and organisation of two public talks per year; as well as the organisation of an international academic conference in 2019, with topics to be centred on Singapore Chinese arts and culture or related topics. All programmes will be presented at the SCCC.
Speaking on SCCC’s first MOU signing, Mr Low said, “The collaboration between the SCCC and DCS comes as a natural fit as we are aligned with a common objective to preserve, promote and pass on our unique Singapore Chinese culture to the next generation. As a centre of excellence where one can appreciate and learn about the diversity of our Chinese culture in Singapore, we look forward to working with DCS to co-develop programmes that are both relatable and accessible, to get the public interested in our Chinese culture and on board with us as cultural champions.”
Associate Professor Koh Khee Heong, Acting Head, Department of Chinese Studies (DCS) said, “Our Department is the oldest Chinese Studies department in Singapore, and is very well accomplished in research. For over 60 years, we have also been nurturing generations of teachers, journalists, and bilingual alumni contributing to Singapore society in various sectors. Meanwhile, we did not lose sight of our social role to promote Chinese culture in Singapore, and this collaboration with SCCC creates a natural platform for this meaningful cause.”
Kicking start the series of programmes under the MOU is a public talk on 28 April 2018 titled “Wan Boo Sow Lecture on Chinese Culture”, by renowned linguist Professor Kong Jiangping. Professor Kong will be speaking on traditional Chinese sound culture from the perspective of science. Admission is free. For more information, please visit https://www.singaporeccc.org.sg/.
