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Wong Yoon Wah

Wong Yoon Wah (b. 13 August 1941, Perak, Malaysia - ) is one of the few Singaporeans who excel as an international poet, critic and scholar. Prolific in both creative and academic writing, he has published over twenty collections of prose, poetry, and academic writings on Chinese and comparative literature in Chinese or English. For his commitment to promoting literature regionally, he was awarded the Southeast Asia Write Award (1984), the Cultural Medallion (1986), and the ASEAN Cultural Award (1993). 

Education and career
Born in Malaysia in 1941, Wong studied English literature at Taiwan's National Chengchi University, before pursuing his Ph.D. in Chinese literature at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, U.S.A. He came to Singapore in 1972 to teach in Nanyang University, later becoming the head of the Department of Chinese Studies at the National University of Singapore. In 2002 he was appointed the Dean of College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Taiwan's Yuan Ze University, where he is now the univeristy's Faculty Professor of Chinese Language and Literature and Director of International Language and Culture Center.

Education
1966 : Bachelor of Arts, National Chengchi University, Taiwan
1969 : Masters of Arts, University of Wisconsin, Madison, U.S.A.
1972 : Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Madison, U.S.A.

Career
1972 : Research Associate, University of Iowa, U.S.A.
1973 : Lecturer, Chinese Language and Literature Department, Nanyang University, Singapore
1977 : Acting Director/Director, Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nanyang University
1979 : Lecturer, Department of Chinese Studies, National University of Singapore (NUS)
1981 : Senior Lecturer, Department of Chinese Studies, NUS
1983 - 1985 : Sub-Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, NUS
1990 : Associate Professor, Department of Chinese Studies, NUS
1996 : Deputy Director, Centre for the Arts, NUS
2000 : Professor and Head, Department of Chinese Studies, NUS
Nov 2002 - Jul 2005 : Dean, College of Humanities and Social sciences, Yuan Ze University, Taiwan
Nov 2002 - July 2006 : Professor/Chairman, Dept of Chinese Linguistics and Language/Dept of Applied Chinese, Yuan Ze University
Feb 2006 : Faculty Professor of Chinese Language and Literature, Yuan Ze University
Aug 2006 : Director of International Language and Culture Center, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Yuan Ze University

Published works
Creative writing
1966 : Ye Ye Zai Mu Ying Xia (prose) 
1966 : Huan Bing De Tai Yang (poetry)
1970 : Gao Chao (poetry)
1978 : Nei Wai Ji (poetry)
1980 : Xiang Jiao Shu: Nan Yang Xiang Tu Shi Ji (poetry)
1981 : Nan Yang Xiang Tu Ji (prose & poetry)
1984 : Beyond Symbols (poetry)
1986 : Wang Run Hua Zi Xuan Ji (prose & poetry)
1988 : Shan Shui Shi (poetry)
1988 : Qiu Ye Xing (prose)
1995 : Ba Hei Ye Dai Hui Jia (prose)
1995 : Wang Run Hua Wen Ji (poetry)
1999 : Di Qiu Cun Shen Hua (poetry)
2000 : Re Dai Yu Lin Yu Zhi Min Di (poetry)
2003 : Liu Lian Zi Wei (prose & poetry)

Academic writing
1977 : Ssu-K'ung Tu: A Poet-Critic of the T'ang
1978 : Zhong Xi Wen Xue Guan Xi Yan Jiu
1988 : Essays on Chinese Literature: A Comparative Approach
1989 : Si Kong Tu Xin Lun
1992 : Lu Xun Xiao Shuo Xin Lun
1994 : Cong Xin Hua Wen Xue Dao Shi Jie Hua Wen Wen Xue
1995 : Lao She Xiao Shuo Xin Lun
1998 : Shen Cong Wen Xiao Shuo Li Lun Yu Zuo Pin Xin Lun
2001 : Hua Wen Hou Zhi Min Wen Xue: Zhong Huo Dong Nan Ya De Ge An Yan Jiu
2004 : Yue Jie Kua Guo Wen Xue Jie Du
2006 : Lu Xun Yue Jie Kua Guo Xin Jie Du

Edited works
1983 : Bi Jiao Wen Xue Li Lun Ji
1983 : Xin Hua Wen Xue Zuo Pin Xuan
1989 : Dong Nan Ya Hua Wen Wen Xue
1985 & 1990 : Anthology of ASEAN Literatures  (Vol 1, 2 & 3)
1996 : Shi Jie Wei Xing Xiao Shuo Lun: Shou Jie Shi Jie Hua Wen Wei Xing Xiao Shuo Yan Tao Hui Lun Wen Ji
2000 : Rhythms: A Singapore Millennial Anthology of Poetry
2001 : Xin Ma Han Xue Yan Jiu: Guo Da Ma Da Zhong Wen Xi Yan Jiu Zhuang Kuang Yan Tao Hui Lun Wen Ji
2004 : Ya Zhou De Lü

Awards and honours
1975 : Epoch Poetry Award, Taiwan
1981 : Chinas Times Literary Award, Taiwan
1981 : Zhong Xing Literary Award, Taiwan Writers and Artists Association
1984 : Southeast Asia Write Award, Bangkok, Thailand
1985 & 1996 : Honorary Fellow,  International Writing Programme, University of Iowa, U.S.A.
1986 : Cultural Medallion (Literature), National Arts Council, Singapore
1993 : ASEAN Cultural Award (Literature)

Other art related activities
1984 - 1989, 1998 - 2003 : President, Singapore Association of Writers
1986 - 2002 : Member of Arts Advisor Panel, National Arts Council, Singapore
1986 - 2003 : Vice Chairman, Singapore National Selection Committee, Southeast Asian Write Award (Bangkok)
1989 - 2002 : Editorial Advisor, Chinese Culture, Beijing
1997 - present : Vice Chairman, Asian Chinese Writers Association
2002 : Adjudicator, 7th Malaysia Chinese Literary Award, KL, Malaysia
2002 - 2004 : Advisor, World Chinese Mini-Fiction Research Association



Author
Tan Chee Lay



References
Chen, A. (1991, February 17). Will a hundred flowers bloom? [Microfilm: NL 17352]. The Straits Times, Sunday Plus, pp.1-2. 

Chen, H. H. (1988). Wang Run Hua de hua shu: Du qiu ye xing. Wen Xun, 36, 147-150.
(Not available in NLB holdings)

Chen, X. M., Chen J. H., & Wu, Y. Q. (Eds.). (1999). Hai wai hua wen wen xue shi. Xiamen: Lu Jiang Chu Ban She.
(Call no.: RCO C810.09 HWH)

Chen, Z. Y. (1994). Li zu Xin Jia Po, kan dong nan ya hua wen wen xue - Wang Run Hua jiao shou fang wen ji. You Shi Wen Yi [Youth Literary], 80(5), 12-18.
(Not available in NLB holdings)

Hong, S. L. (1999). Sheng ming de ji nian di pian - Wang Run Hua re dai yu lin uu zhi min di. Wen Xun, 170, 21-22.
(Not available in NLB holdings)

Huang, J. S. (1995). Nei wai cuo wei de gui fan zhe: Wang Run Hua he ta de (xiang tu) shan shui. Zhong Wai Wen Xue [Chung-wai Literary Monthly], 23(8), 76-101.
(Not available in NLB holdings)

Leong, W. K. (2000, November 3). More Chinese voices will be speaking up now [Microfilm: Nl 21970]. The Straits Times, Home, The Friday Interview, p.63.

Li, R. T. (1988).  Ru hu qi nei, chu hu qi wai: Lun Wang Run Hua zao qi de shi (1962-1973). Wen Xun, 38, 139-149.
(Not available in NLB holdings)

Lin, L. S. (2003, November 3). Zou chu ben tu, mian xiang guo ji (shang) - Wang Run Hua. Retrieved 2007, July 11, from http://www.youthwant.com.tw/column/index.php?d=0311031

Liu, J. (1999, February 25 & 28). Lun ba hei ye dai hui jia zhong de huan bao yi shi [Microfilm: NL 21380]. Lianhe Zaobao, Now, pp. 7 & 11.

Liu, J. L. (2003, July 23).  Liu lian zi wei. Zhong Yang Ri Bao [Central Daily News], p. 17.
(Not available in NLB holdings)

Nan, Z. G. (n.d.). Du Wang Run Hua he jiang tian fang Lu Xun gu ju de shi jian lun xin ma Lu Xun yan jiu de xian zhuang. Retrieved 2007, July 9, from http://www.fgu.edu.tw/~wclrc/drafts/Singapore/nan/nan-03.htm

Purushothaman, V. (Ed.). (2002). Narratives: Notes on a cultural journey. Singapore: National Arts Council.
(Call no.: RSING 700.95957 NAR)

Re dai yu lin shu fang. (2007). Retrieved 2007, June 25, from http://cl.hs.yzu.edu.tw/wyw

Wang, P. J. (2006, June 18). Hui dao xiang jiao yuan de kuai le tong nian. Retrieved 2007, July 12, from http://mag.sinchew-i.com/scgc/content.phtml?vol=20060618&sec=A48

Wang, W. M. (2005). He fang yu shi zuo shi ren - yu Wang Run Hua dui tan. Shi Wang Lu [Poetry Network], 21, pp. 4-11.

Wang Run Hua. (n.d.). Retrieved 2007, June 23, from http://www.vjc.moe.edu.sg/fasttrack/chinese/culture/sp_authors/Au_wangrunhua.htm

Wang Run Hua. (2008, September 18). Retrieved 2008, November 10, from National University of Singapore, Chinese Library, Hai Wai Hua Ren Yan Jiu Website: http://www.lib.nus.edu.sg/chz/chineseoverseas/oc_wangrh.htm

Wong, Y. W. (1990, May 19). Queen Elizabeth Walk [Microfilm: NL 17015]. The Straits Times, p. L4.

Wong, Y. W. (1994, October 10). Hui dao xian tai yi zhuan, chong xin jie po zhou shu ren bian cheng lu xun de yuan yin [Microfilm: NL 19555]. Lianhe Zaobao, Supplement, p. 9.

Wong, Y. W. (1997, January 19). Wang Run Hua shi wen san bu [Microfilm: NL 20156]. Lianhe Zaobao,  Supplement, p. 7.

Wong, Y. W. (2002, January 1). Kua yue guo jie zou xiang duo yuan hua [Microfilm: NL 23318]. Lianhe Zaobao, Now, p. 14.

Wong, Y. W. (2007, May 15). Chun nuan hua kai fan mo di sheng [Microfilm: NL 27714]. Lianhe Zaobao, Now, p. 3.

Wong Yoon Wah: Writer and scholar. (2003). Retrieved 2007, June 10, from http://cl.hs.yzu.edu.tw/research/index.htm

Xie, Z. X. (2002, Jun 25). Xi zhu run wang run hua jiao shou: guo da zhong wen xi yao cheng zhong guo yi wai yan jiu hua ren ke ti zhong yao ju dian [Microfilm: NL 23867]. Lianhe Zaobao, p.4.

Xu, S. H. (1998). Shi lun dan ying, Wang Run Hua de shi. Tai Wan Shi Xue Ji Kan [Taiwan Poetry Quarterly], 24, 129-147.
(Not available in NLB holdings)

Yang, J. Y. (1994). Yan su de you xi - dang dai wen yi fang tan lu (pp. 35-42). Taipei: San Min.
(Not available in NLB holdings)

Ying, D., & Wang, Y. W. (1996, January 1). Lew Poo Chan and Wong Yoon Wah interview. Retrieved 2007, 10 July, from The University of Iowa, The Virtual Writing Univeristy Website: http://at-lamp.its.uiowa.edu/virtualwu/index.php/archive/record/lew_poo_chan_and_wong_yoon_wah_interview/

Zhang, X. N. (1996, July 1). Wang Run Hua dan ying yuan xing de xin bu fang jia: 365 tian de wen zi gong cheng [Microfilm: NL 20617]. Lianhe Zaobao, Supplement, p. 4.

Zhang, X. N. (1997, August 3). Wang Run Hua tan zhi wu de si sheng huo [Microfilm: NL 20891]. Lianhe Zaobao, Supplement, p. 15.

Zhang, X. N. (2001, January 11). Cong Gao Xing Jian huo jiang tan ben di hua wen wen xue [Microfilm: NL 22106]. Lianhe Zaobao, Now, p. 4.

Zhang, X. N. (2001, June 17). Hui gui re dai shi xin xin qing: Fang shi ren Wang Run Hua [Microfilm: NL 23001]. Lianhe Zaobao, Now, p. 6.

Zheng, H. R. (1998). Chu wei zhi si - jie du Wang Run Hua xiang wai xiang. Tai Wan Shi Xue Ji Kan [Taiwan Poetry Quarterly], 24, 160-168.
(Not available in NLB holdings)

Zhu, C.K. (2006, March 30).  Hou zhi min ben tu: Qu zhi min hua he hui gui ben tu [Microfilm: NL 26622]. Lianhe Zaobao, Now, p. 3.



The information in this article is valid as at 2008 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources.  It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject.  Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Personalities>>Biographies>>Authors>>Cultural Medallion Recipients
Wong, Yoon Wah, 1941- --Biography
Award winners--Singapore--Biography
Authors, Singaporean--Biography
Poets--Biography
Language and literature>>Literatures>>East and Southeast Asian literature>>Singapore literature

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