2002 ~ 2006 |
THE PIONEERS
▲ Chairing a staff meeting (2005).
It was during the time of my departure that the School
of Arts and Social Sciences came to be established.
18
▲ Farewell photo
with colleagues
at the new campus
(2007).
Today, I feel my tenure at the Malaysian campus has
been a most rewarding and satisfying period of my
academic career as I was able to facilitate a lot of
changes and development on the campus. I attribute
all these achievements to my colleagues’ intellectual,
dedicated and diligent work. I remain grateful to my
colleagues for putting full trust in my leadership and
also to Professor Pua Eng Chong, the Head of the
School of Arts and Sciences, for helping the Arts to
develop its academic and administrative freedom
◀ Receiving a
souvenir at an
Orang Asli event
organised
by the Arts
programme
(2005).
Whilst I have a fond memory of working in Malaysia,
I am particularly reminded of Ben McKay (1964-2010),
who was friendly and devoted to his work.
My family members greatly appreciated our time in
Malaysia, facing a new culture, and encountering
different peoples and religions. I could have stayed
a little longer. However, my personal and family
circumstances cut short my tenure on the campus.
It was also the time to bring in a new leader and that
is what I advocated. Once I returned to an Australian
campus, I have had minimum correspondence with
my former colleagues in Malaysia. However, it is clear
that the SASS has moved from strength to strength.
Former undergraduate and postgraduate students in
the school have completed their doctorates and are
now working as academic staff at SASS. I trust that
SASS will remain one of the few most intellectually
stimulating places for the Arts and Social Sciences
in Asia.
Undoubtedly, its strength and fame will go well
beyond the boundary of Asia in the future.
Dr Gil-Soo Han is Associate Professor of
Communications & Media Studies at the School
of Media, Film & Journalism, Monash University,
Caulfield Campus, Australia. He was head of the
Arts programme at Monash University Malaysia
from 2005 to 2007.