Donating more than 3,000 books on Southeast Asian studies by the late Professor Nicholas Tarling

Professor Nicholas Tarling (1931-2017) was a historian and scholar specializing in Southeast Asia. He was born in the United Kingdom, received his PhD from the University of Cambridge and began his teaching career on Southeast Asia at the University of Auckland (New Zealand) in 1965. He held the positions of Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Auckland.

Professor Nicholas Tarling is considered New Zealand's scientific ambassador and the father of Southeast Asian studies. He researched and wrote about Malaysia, North Borneo, the Philippines, and Laos in the 18th and 19th centuries, especially in relation to foreign involvement in these countries. In the 1960s, when the field was not yet popular in New Zealand, Professor Nicholas Tarling believed that close and close relations with Southeast Asia were essential for the country's development.

Professor Nicholas Tarling's great contributions and influence on Southeast Asian studies are shown in: he was a senior member of the New Zealand Asia Institute, the man behind the birth of the New Zealand Asian Studies Association in 1974, and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the New Zealand Asian Studies Journal for four decades. In 2008, he chaired a meeting at the National University of Singapore (NUS) with the participation of representatives of leading Southeast Asian universities such as Chulalongkorn and NUS to establish the Nicholas Tarling Southeast Asian Studies Association.

Professor Nicholas Tarling is also a social activist and a writer. In 2016, it was estimated that he had written over 50 books, not to mention hundreds of articles and scientific papers.

Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan (Vice Principal of the University) - who has a close relationship with the scientist shared: Professor Nicholas Tarling is a person of character and an excellent lecturer. The professor has had contact with Vietnam for a long time, but did not visit Vietnam often because of the war at that time. After that, the University had the opportunity to connect with the Professor through activities promoting Southeast Asian studies in many countries in the Southeast Asian region. At the end of 2007, Professor Nicholas Tarling expressed his wish to give the University a set of 3,000 books after his death and "he wanted to have a continuation of what he had written about Southeast Asia".

In her speech honoring the dedicated and talented scientist, Ambassador Wendy Matthews praised his contributions to Southeast Asian Studies in New Zealand, first and foremost for his “vision and passion”: “He virtually changed New Zealand’s perception of Southeast Asian Studies.” Not only did he establish the New Zealand Asian Studies Association, but his role in the Faculty of Arts shaped Southeast Asian Studies and encouraged colleagues and students to take an interest in the field.

Ambassador Wendy Matthews said that Professor Nicholas Tarling also had "a passionate life". The scientist inspired many people in the academic community. He was not only passionate about history, but also interested in art forms such as acting. He participated in classical music programs on radio, was president of many arts organizations; was an actor and founder of the Mercury Theater.

Let us reflect on Professor Nicholas Tarling and, as administrators, diplomats, scientists and students, find ways to further develop his vision and passion, the ambassador stressed.

On behalf of the University, receiving the precious gift from Prof. Nicholas Tarling, Principal Professor Pham Quang Minh said: This rich and valuable source of documents comes to the University in the context that Southeast Asian Studies is becoming a potential field of study and facing strong development opportunities in Vietnam and the world. The University will carefully preserve the book series and share this source of knowledge with professors and students of the University as well as other universities. Certainly, the passion and efforts of Prof. Nicholas Tarling will make those involved today feel the need to continue writing about Southeast Asia and promote the Vietnam - New Zealand relationship to become better and better.