NUS’ PhD programme in cultural studies in Asia to get visiting faculty, thanks to $1 million gift from architect William Lim

Prof William Lim (left) and NUS Senior Deputy President Prof Tan Chorh Chuan (right) at the launch of the William Lim Siew Wai Fellowship in Cultural Studies in Asia

A $1 million endowed gift from renowned architect Prof William Lim has meant that NUS’ first PhD Programme in Cultural Studies in Asia will get a visiting faculty every year to teach and do research work at the University.

The William Lim Siew Wai Fellowship in Cultural Studies in Asia will support a visiting professor, associate professor, or assistant professor each year to conduct classes for students of the multi-and-interdisciplinary graduate programme, as well as do research work in his or her field of specialisation. This gift will qualify for the existing dollar-for-dollar matching grant from the Singapore Government.

The new Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) PhD programme is not only a first for NUS, but also the first such comprehensive programme in Asia to be taught exclusively in English. It is also a significant step in the institutionalisation of Cultural Studies at NUS, where many of the academic staff at FASS are already conducting Cultural Studies courses.

Beginning academic year 08/09, the programme will take in about six students each year. With course works and dissertation requirements that focus exclusively on Asian contexts and Asian contents, it will enable students to access the global archive of Cultural Studies, beyond their respective local discursive and practical intellectual resources.

Cultural Studies in Asia is an important academic field that deserves support, Prof Lim pointed out. “It’s very important today to pay attention to new knowledge, of which there are two types: hard new knowledge and soft new knowledge. Many governments already allocate considerable resources to hard new knowledge such as science and technology, but not much attention has yet been given to soft new knowledge.”

He said: “A key element of new knowledge is cultural studies – an effective tool with which one can discover what is going on. I am interested in the dynamic changes in Asian architecture and urbanism. I try to understand their challenges through the lens of cultural studies and their inter-relationship with one another.”

Said NUS Senior Deputy President Prof Tan Chorh Chuan at the launch of the Fellowship on 6 December 2007: “We expect the graduates of this exclusive programme will be highly in demand not only as academics in and beyond Asia, but also by the rapidly expanding creative and cultural industries that constitute an emerging area of economic growth in Singapore and other countries.”

Expressing his appreciation to Prof Lim, he also said: “William has been an important contributor to Cultural Studies in Singapore and in Asia, most recently through his very generous gift to the NUS’ PhD Programme in Cultural Studies in Asia. For this, the FASS and NUS are immensely grateful.”

Prof Lim, who is also well-known as a keen analyst of urban issues and problems in Asia, has written many books on these topics. His newest book Asian Alterity, also launched on 6 December 2007, is part of his continuing effort to stimulate and influence thinking about the development trajectories of contemporary Asian cities.