The grant “Building Inter-curricular Perspectives” selected eleven students in LSE (Literary Studies in English) in the Department of Languages and Cultures (DLC) and brought them to Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) on a study trip. 

Study trip to HKBU (Group Picture)  

The project aimed to integrate multiple fields of study—literary and cultural studies, European studies, and visual studies—and to expose students to interdisciplinary perspectives on literary and cultural studies. An equally important goal was to develop a new ME course for the Department of Languages and Cultures on Migration and Cultural Identity (which was eventually submitted for further approval  under the title “Migration, Narrative, and the Digital Age”) to be offered for DLC/FHSS in Spring/Fall 2027. The trip was supported  by Teaching Assistant Peter Wu Zhe and led by Dr. Arina Rotaru.

At the specially designed workshop, Dr. Nicole Scicluna from HKBU’s Department of Government and International Studies engaged students in a discussion on cultural iconicity and the value of religious and cultural symbols across diverse contexts, with the goal of introducing students to ideas of diversity in Europe. She also provided a brief overview of her course, Europe: Unity in Diversity, and suggested reading materials and instructional approaches. Dr. Lorna Dillon from HKBU’s Academy of Visual Arts delivered a talk situating visual artist and singer Violeta Parra’s work in the context of hybridity, migration, and mobility, as well as visual studies. Her questions about tradition and modernity resonated deeply with the students. Dr. Arina Rotaru also spoke on Migration and Multilingual Writing, complementing the concepts introduced in the other talks.

Group Picture with Dr. Nicole Scicluna

Picture with Dr. Lorna Dillon (Left: Dr. Arina Rotaru; Right: Dr. Lorna Dillon)

After the workshop, students toured the HKBU campus and visited an HKBU Parallel Exhibition to Art Basel Hong Kong 2026, entitled “Between Image and Index.” This exhibition encouraged students to reflect further on the interdisciplinary perspectives gained through the workshop.

Students at the Exhibition

Students at the Exhibition