Page 14 - E-BOOK PULSE@FASS ISU NO.01/2023

‘If the Sky Were to Fall’:
Talk by Prof Gary Lit Ying Loong

On 13th January 2023, the Department of History, Faculty By Dr Tan Miau Ing
of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Malaya, well as the hardships imposed
organised the first series seminar of the year titled: If the by the British on Kinta Valley
Sky were to Fall. The speaker, Professor (Dr) Gary Lit Ying residents during the
Loong is a retired professor from Nanyang Technological Emergency period as seen
University (NTU), and currently a Visiting Professor to through the eyes of his late
several universities in Asia and Europe. The seminar was father and other affected
chaired by Professor Dr Sivachandralingam Sundara Raja, individuals.
Professor of History Department.
The seminar had attracted
The title of this seminar was taken from a Chinese idiom — more than 50 attendees, Professor Dr. Gary Lit Ying
“Thin tit lok lay dong pei kum”, literally translated, it means especially alumni of SMK Loong
that if the sky were to fall, we shall use it as a comforter. It Methodist (ACS) Kampar and SMK St Michael in Ipoh.
expresses hope and an indomitable spirit in overcoming
adversity. Born and raised in the Kinta Valley of Perak,
Professor Gary desired to share the story of his family’s
experiences during the most turbulent periods of
Malaysian history that led him to write the book, “If the Sky
were to Fall: An Intergenerational Journey of Trials and
Tribulations in Malaya During and After the Wars”.
Through a highly personal and engaging manner, the
seminar details the terror of the Japanese Occupation, as

Visit from Institute of Visit of Professor Long

East Asian Studies, Denggao of Tsinghua
Thammasat University University

On 15 February 2023, the Faculty received the visit of
Professor Long Denggao, of Tsinghua University in Beijing.
Professor Long, who was leading a team of researchers
conducting research in Malaysia, was interested to discuss
collaboration on Chinese Family Business History. The
meeting was joined by the Dean, together with Associate
Professor Dr Chan Sok Gee, Dr Ling Teck Soon, Dr Ho Kee
Chye and Dr John Lee. The meeting explored the
possibility of future collaboration and the promotion of the
study of Chinese Family Business History.

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences received a visit
from the Institute of East Asian Studies, Thammasat
University on 24 February 2023. The visit was proposed by
an FASS PhD graduate, Dr Chaiwat Meesanthan, who is
now Director of the Institute of East Asian Studies with the
objective to expand collaborations on student mobility
programmes, staff exchange, research and more. The visit
of 24 researchers and officers from the institute was
welcomed warmly by the Dean with the administration line
and several academic staff at the Court Room. The
meeting ended well and is to be discussed further in the
next meeting.

13 | Pulse@FASS