The Centre of Asian Studies (CAS) promotes interdisciplinary research on Asian studies within the University of Hong Kong. It functions as a centre which brings together scholars and postgraduate students from all departments of the University with interests related to Asia, particularly contemporary and traditional China, Hong Kong, and South and Southeast Asia. Apart from research, CAS also offers M.Phil. and Ph.D. studies to students wishing to research Asian studies.
CAS also hosts:
- Hong Kong Culture and Society Programme (HKCSP), which aims to study all aspects of Hong Kong’s culture and strengthen the network of scholars researching Hong Kong studies. The programme offers a Hong Kong studies Bachelors degree to students at the University.
- Women’s Studies Research Centre (WSRC) which promotes research in issues such as gender and cross-cultural awareness, and the transformation of teaching methodologies, learning environments and curriculum.
Some of the current research projects of CAS (as of 2003) are:
- China-ASEAN project
- China-India project
- history of new music in China
- Hong Kong stock market history project
- studies on the changes in China and their influence on Asian countries
- telecommunications research project
The Centre organizes various conferences, public lectures, and seminars, including four seminar programmes on:
- contemporary Chinese studies
- traditional Chinese studies
- South and Southeast Asian studies
- Hong Kong studies
The CAS website features information about the Centre, its current and past research projects, teaching courses, details about staff and visiting fellows, events and publications. Summaries of recent publications, the full text of selected occasional papers, the full text of the CAS newsletter and the CAS report (1996-1999) are available on the website. The website also includes a link to Hong Kong University’s searchable library catalogue.