Xiamen University had been one of the several universities Sarawakian Chinese attended and therefore is recognised as one of the Overseas Chinese friendly universities. Today, Xiamen university has a branch campus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
He left Sibu as a young man from Tanjong Kunyit and a senior Middle Three graduate of Methodist Secondary School to pursue his dream of higher education in China. Life must have been very tumultuous but he was steadfast and he worked hard.
Prof Hii Chiaw Zheng (Physics) is now retired and came to welcome us to Xiamen.
He was one of the last few senior Foochow students who left Sarawak in 1955 to study in China. By dint of hard work and a superb intellectual mind, he made it to the highest level of scholarly achievement, became a professor in one of the top ten universities of China. He saw the development of China from the birth of a new regime to a new modern world giant.
How a school magazine connects us.
He is very humble and courteous, quietly he took out a copy of a magazine for us to look at. And a part of the history of our alma mater, the Methodist Secondary School, was brought right in front of us.
He was the editor of this school magazine. There are photos, quotations and reflections penned by his school mates, making 1954 such an exceptional school year!!
In the year book is a letter written by our beloved Mrs. John Pilley, then the Principal, and many other messages by teachers.
What a remarkable Year Book which had been kept in very proper conditions since 1954 and in China!!
Needless to say, I asked for a photocopy of the magazine and brought it back to Sarawak.
School magazine is a Primary historical resource
This school magazine is an important primary historical resource by a famous son of the Rajang Valley of Sibu and especially by an Alumni of Methodist Secondary School.
Thank you Elder Professor Hii Chiaw Zheng.
Beautiful scenery of Xiamen University, Xiamen.
How many copies of your own school magazine do you have? They are great treasures.
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