{"id":517,"date":"2020-07-26T08:01:23","date_gmt":"2020-07-26T08:01:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.complit.hku.hk\/?page_id=517"},"modified":"2020-07-26T08:01:23","modified_gmt":"2020-07-26T08:01:23","slug":"dialogue-with-lo-kwai-cheung-inspiring-the-quest-for-knowledge","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/complit.hku.hk\/index.php\/dialogue-with-lo-kwai-cheung-inspiring-the-quest-for-knowledge\/","title":{"rendered":"DIALOGUE WITH LO KWAI-CHEUNG: INSPIRING THE QUEST FOR KNOWLEDGE"},"content":{"rendered":"

DIALOGUE WITH LO KWAI-CHEUNG: INSPIRING THE QUEST FOR KNOWLEDGE<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"\"“If you’re adventurous, brave enough, and receptive to new ideas, Comparative Literature is a good point of departure for knowledge acquisition”<\/p>\n

Prof. LO KWAI-CHEUNG \u7f85\u8cb4\u7965 (BA 1985; MPhil 1990) is Director of Creative and Professional Writing Programme in the Department of Humanities and Creative Writing at Hong Kong Baptist University. His research interests range from cultural studies, creative writing, film studies to ethnic studies, East-West comparative studies and literary theory. Active in his academic research and creative works, he shares with us how a keen desire to expand the depth and breadth of knowledge has been the driving force in his career.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

RISING TO THE CHALLENGES<\/strong><\/h4>\n

When he was still a secondary student, Prof. Lo already enjoyed spending time in bookstores. He discovered the fascinating books written by critics like Wong Kin-yuen (\u738b\u5efa\u5143)and Yip Wai-lim(\u8449\u7dad\u5ec9). Some Taiwanese literature also exposed him to how Chinese classical texts could be studied using contemporary Western theories like structuralism. Having read all these texts, he thought he knew what Comparative Literature was all about, only to realise later he had only scratched the surface.<\/p>\n

In those days, Comparative Literature was still a part of ESCL (the Department of English Studies and Comparative Literature). While courses in both streams explore literary texts, those in Comparative Literature introduced him to a range of European literature. He read Kafka in a course taught by Prof. Rodney Davey, and learnt about Russian literature in depth from Prof. Jonathan Hall. \u201cWe also learnt about theories in a rather \u2018dry\u2019 and challenging way. There are hardly any examples! The professors all adopted different approaches, and Prof Ackbar Abbas\u2019s teaching style made the materials more accessible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Besides regular lectures, intellectual stimulation is derived from discussions outside the classroom. Prof. Lo fondly recalled some picturesque moments in the Main Building, \u201cAfter class, we would engage in invigorating discussions with our professors in their offices. This could last almost half a day, as we watch the sun goes down through the windows in Loke Yew Hall.\u201d<\/p>\n

This intellectual pursuit continued to motivate his postgraduate studies and cultural writing. During his MPhil studies, he would make his way from HKU to Joint Publishing(\u4e09\u806f\u66f8\u5e97) in Central to read the latest root-seeking literature. His editorial duties in Hong Kong<\/p>\n

Economic Journal also prompted him to find out more about theories and books related to performance studies. Interested in an intensive study on theories, pursuing a PhD was his obvious choice.<\/p>\n

FROM BEING A STUDENT TO AN ACADEMIC<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Despite his broad research interests, his line of thought has been consistent throughout the years. \u201cI have always been interested in European literature and continental philosophy. Some may think that\u2019s Euro-centric, but I believe there\u2019s room to create a dialogue by domesticating and adapting those ideas to our societies.\u201d As part of the initiative to develop alternative theoretical frameworks, there is an Asian theory network which Prof. Lo is a member of. \u201cWe don\u2019t want to just give up the theories\u2019 legacies because of some biased, postcolonial criticism, and are still actively exploring ways to apply them to Asian societies. I also got a chance to meet Prof. Abbas from time to time
\nduring our meetings!\u201d<\/p>\n

INSPIRING INTERESTS AND IDEAS<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Prof. Lo shared about his humble goals as a teacher and scholar. Inspired by Prof. Leung Ping-kwan\u2019s approach to teaching, he hopes to engage students in a similar way, \u201cHe used a lot of texts to introduce difficult theories, which really helped with understanding and engaging abstract ideas,\u201d he recalled. Instead of recycling the same materials, he will update and adapt the materials each year to keep things interesting to students and himself. \u201cI embrace challenges. When I no longer feel inspired about the things I teach, I know it\u2019s time to teach another course, or perhaps even one that\u2019s not directly related to my research. How can the materials be interesting to students if the teacher doesn\u2019t feel excited teaching them?\u201d<\/p>\n

As a scholar, he observed how his research and involvement in community activities could create a ripple effect. \u201cThe knowledge we create in academia gradually trickles down to the community. I\u2019m still active in the literary scene, and speaks at different community events from time to time. These activities allow us to communicate our ideas to the wider public, and at the same time they inspire my own research.\u201d<\/p>\n

Of all the roles he has taken over the years, being a learner is perhaps the most critical and pleasurable. The more he reads and understands, the stronger his intellectual curiosity\u2014a spirit of enquiry that Comparative Literature has instilled in him. \u201cThere is this constant desire in me to find out more. Once you feel that you have known enough about an area, you naturally move on to something else. I\u2019m not satisfied with what I know yet\u2014and probably will never be.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

DIALOGUE WITH LO KWAI-CHEUNG: INSPIRING THE QUEST FOR KNOWLEDGE “If you’re adventurous, brave enough, and receptive to new ideas, Comparative Literature is a good point of departure for knowledge acquisition” Prof. LO KWAI-CHEUNG \u7f85\u8cb4\u7965 (BA 1985; MPhil 1990) is Director of Creative and Professional Writing Programme in the Department of Humanities and Creative Writing at … <\/p>\n

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