Driven by a deep passion for history, alumna Ariene CHAN spent four formative years in the Department of History. Beyond equipping her with extensive historical knowledge, the degree programme nurtured her capacity for critical thinking and empathy, qualities that continue to guide her work in education and cultural promotion.

Many of Ariene’s learning experiences remain vivid to this day. One memorable example dates back to her second year, when an assignment for the course “Modern World” required her to draw a map of Europe in 1684. That experience came full circle last year during a visit to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, where she was delighted to discover the original map she had once used as a reference displayed on the wall. The unexpected encounter sparked her enthusiasm, and she eagerly shared her knowledge of British geography and history with her travelling companions.

Another unforgettable experience came in her third year when she enrolled in the newly launched course “History of the Middle East”. A visit to the Masjid Ammar and Osman Ramju Sadick Islamic Centre offered her valuable insights into the Islamic faith and prayer practices, while helping to dispel common misconceptions about Islam. The experience broadened her horizons and reinforced the importance of embracing diversity and respecting different cultural perspectives.

While many students perceive history as a subject centred on memorising vast amounts of information, Ariene believes her university education showed otherwise. She emphasises that memorisation is only the foundation; the true value of studying history lies in developing critical thinking and the ability to understand the world from multiple perspectives.

Source: 55th Anniversary Special Issue – September 2026