Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI)

In early November, the Faculty of Chinese Studies at Southern University College hosted a lecture by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI). The speaker, Dr. Lee Peng Shu, introduced his new book A Study of the Role and Functions of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (1906 – 1942). Dr. Lee is an honorary director of the SCCCI, having joined the Chamber as an executive director in 1995. He has held various leadership roles, including chairman of the Business Group, Education Group, Economic Group, Cultural Committee, and Social Affairs Committee.

With over twenty years of involvement in the SCCCI, Dr. Lee has not only gained hands-on experience in its operations but also had the opportunity to closely observe its functions. This first-hand experience, combined with his academic training, made him uniquely qualified to study the Chamber’s history. During his doctoral studies at Xiamen University in China, he chose the history of the SCCCI as his research topic, analyzing in detail its history, roles, and functions from its founding until the pre-World War II period.

On the day of the event, many attendees from outside the university joined, and students and faculty of Southern University College were also actively engaged. During the Q&A session, participants asked questions, and Dr. Lee responded as thoroughly as possible. Guests in the audience also interacted with each other, contributing to a lively atmosphere. Later, Dr. Tan Teng Phee also shared valuable information related to the SCCCI with the attendees, which was greatly appreciated.

Finally, the SCCCI donated copies of the book to the Southern University College Library as a memento. Dr. Lee also signed copies of his new book, A Study of the Role and Functions of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (1906 – 1942), and gave them to the participants, creating a warm and memorable scene.

南方大学学院中华语言文华学院在11月初，迎来了新加坡中华总商会的讲座。主讲人李秉蘐博士介绍其新书《新加坡中华总商会的角色与功能研究（1906 – 1942）》，李博士是新加坡中华总商会的名誉董事，早于1995年就已加入总商会担任常委董事，曾出任商业组、教育组、经济组、文化委员会、社会事务委员会主席等职务。由于投身新加坡中华总商会已有廿多年之久，不仅对总商会的运作有切身参与的经验，更有近距离观察总商会运作的机会。所以，在他远赴中国厦门大学攻读博士学位时，以总商会历史为研究主题，结合“局内人”和学术训练的双重优势，将总商会自成立以来至二战前的历史、角色与功能，做了极详尽的分析。

活动当日，有许多外界人士慕名而来，我校师生也积极参与。在交流环节时，参与者提出问题，主讲人尽可能地解答，场内的嘉宾也相互交流，现场反响热烈。随后，陈丁辉博士也与在场的参与者分享与新加坡中华总商会相关的资讯，让参与者获益良多。最后，新加坡中华总商会将所带来的书籍赠送给南方大学学院图书馆作为留念，李博士也在现场为其新书《新加坡中华总商会的角色与功能研究（1906 – 1942）》签名，赠送给现场的参与者，讲座在温馨和谐的气氛下告一段落。