CHUAH AI KHENG

Manager, Department of Cultural Heritage Research and Development
akchuah[at]gtwhi[dot]com[dot]my

Fields of Expertise

Oral History Documentation
Photography Documentation
Community Engagement
Article Writing / Editing / Proofreading
Team Support

ABOUT ME

Chuah Ai Kheng is a native-born Penangite who is currently Manager of the Department of Cultural Heritage Research and Development with George Town World Heritage Incorporated. She joined the organisation in October 2016 with a strong passion to make George Town a remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ai Kheng graduated from Nanjing University, China with a bachelor’s degree in Chinese Language and Literature, and has worked in the local media industry for 18 years where she has produced in-depth, extensive pieces on cultural heritage. Prior to joining the organisation, Ai Kheng has been involved as a surveyor and writer for their Revitalising Intangible Cultural Heritage Project in 2012, which then culminated in the publication of George Town: Our Stories in 2014. She has also been invited as guest speaker to tell stories about George Town. With her rich journalism experience, Ai Kheng now manages projects such as the Oral History Documentation Project, Cultural Heritage Education Programme and Community-based Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventorying in George Town. She also coordinates the development of projects conducted by George Town World Heritage Incorporated.

I AM A SITE MANAGER BECAUSE ...

I am a happy Site Manager because I gain insights into the abundance and richness that this vibrant city offers, allowing me to view, feel, touch, and experience George Town like none other. I am responsible for conceptualising community engagement frameworks and capacity building programmes to grow the communities’ footprint in heritage matters. My work aligns and maps organisational efforts with community requirements, creating impactful and meaningful initiatives. Much has changed as we embrace development but cultural heritage remains pivotal as it constitutes a major aspect of George Town and it never ceases to impress me.

PHOTO GALLERY

According to several older Penangites, this small open space at the junction of Penang Road and Chulia Street was a gathering spot in the early days for people to chit-chat or sit and watch vehicles pass by. Buskers may also make appearances to earn money.

Attending community events in the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site is part of my job, especially the Hungry Ghost Festival events hosted by different community groups. It is an opportunity to meet our Board of Directors including Chairman YAB Chow Kon Yeow, members YB Teh Lai Heng and YB Daniel Gooi, and other community leaders.

Meetings with the communities are part of a Site Manager’s daily tasks. These meetings are sometimes held at their historical buildings and they would prepare meals and beverages. Albeit a simple meal, it shows the community's kindness towards the Site Manager.

A fruit seller delivering fresh fruits to customers at Chew Jetty. He is very familiar with the local residents because he has served them for many years. The relationship between traders and residents in George Town are like friends and they are important elements in the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of George Town.

CURRENT POSITIONS

Manager, Department of Cultural Heritage Research and Development (2016 – Current).

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in Chinese Language and Literature, Nanjing University, China.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

Training of Trainers Workshop, Community-based Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventorying in George Town, George Town World Heritage Incorporated, 2019.
Training Workshop for Local Facilitators, Community-based Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventorying in George Town, George Town World Heritage Incorporated, 2019.
Wrap-Up Workshop, Community-based Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventorying in George Town, George Town World Heritage Incorporated, 2019.
Community Workshop on Cultural Heritage Disaster Risk Management for George Town – Fourth Workshop, George Town World Heritage Incorporated, 2019.
OKU Assistance Training, George Town World Heritage Incorporated, 2019.
Emergency Response Team (ERT) Training, George Town World Heritage Incorporated, 2019.
Experience Sharing Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Strategy among Heritage Cities in Southeast Asia, Pacific and Africa, George Town World Heritage Incorporated, 2019.
Paper Conservation Workshops, George Town World Heritage Incorporated, 2019.
Seventh Asia-Pacific Urban Forum (APUF-7), City Council of Penang Island, 2019.
Curation and Gallery Management Workshop, George Town World Heritage Incorporated, 2019.
Employment Law Seminar, Penang State Government, 2019.
Licensed Tour Guide Course, Sentral College, 2019.
Teochew Traditional Drum Course, Teochew Puppet House, 2019.
Intangible Cultural Heritage Capacity Building Workshop, George Town World Heritage Incorporated, 2018.
Anti-Bribery Management System Seminar, Penang State Government, 2018.
National Workshop on Harmonizing Coordination to Implement Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Strategy in the Heritage City of George Town, George Town World Heritage Incorporated, 2018.
Emergency Response Team (ERT) Training, George Town World Heritage Incorporated, 2017.
Heritage Capacity Training Workshop on Collections Care in Museums and Galleries, George Town World Heritage Incorporated, 2017.
Seminar on Execution of George Town World Heritage Site Special Area Plan, George Town World Heritage Incorporated, 2017.
UNESCO Inception Workshop on Capacity Building for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) of Heritage Cities in Southeast Asia and Small Island Developing States in the Pacific, George Town World Heritage Incorporated, 2017.
Southeast Asia Collaborative Meeting on Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage, George Town World Heritage Incorporated, 2017.
Asian Pasific Conference on Sustainable Development Goals, Penang Women Development Council, 2017.

Professional Experience

2016 – 2019, Reporter, Guang Ming Daily.
2019 – 2001, Reporter, China Press Penang Branch Office.
2001 – 2009, Chief Reporter, China Press Northern Region.
2009 – 2016, Chief Feature Writer, China Press Northern Region.

PROJECTS

Ongoing

2020 – Current, George Town World Heritage Incorporated Heritage Recognition and Awards.
2017 – Current, Cultural Heritage Education Programme.

Completed

2019, UNESCO Pilot Project: Community-Based Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
2018, George Town Heritage Celebrations, “Potential: Of the Past, In the Present, For the Future”.
2018, Cultural Heritage Book Gifting Programme.
2018, Performance of Tang Mei Yun Traditional Taiwan Opera Troupe in Penang.
2017 – 2018, Conservation and Restoration of Ng Fook Thong Cantonese Districts Association Temple.
2017, Exhibition and Performances of Taiwanese Cultural Heritage in Penang, Malaysia.
2017, George Town Heritage Celebrations, “Walk the Talk: Oral Traditions and Expressions”.
2017, Video Documentation Project.
2017 – 2018, Oral History Documentation Project.
2016, Documentation of Additional Platform at Chew Jetty.
2016, Brochure of Cultural Building Guide in George Town World Heritage Site Core Zone by George Town World Heritage Incorporated.
2015, “George Town My Stories”, Publication Project by George Town World Heritage Incorporated.
2012, Revitalization Intangible Cultural Heritage Project by George Town World Heritage Incorporated.

Completed

2019, UNESCO Community Advocacy Plan: George Town as a Resilient City with Fire Extinguishers and Smoke Detectors, Penang, Malaysia.
2019, UNESCO Disaster Risk Reduction Phase 2: Technical Support to the Island of Mozambique Through Peer Exchange.
2018, UNESCO Disaster Risk Reduction Toolkit for George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
2018-2019, Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction Workshop for Local Community in George Town World Heritage Site.
2018, International Conference on Managing Urban Cultural Heritage, George Town World Heritage Incorporated, Penang, Malaysia.
2018, Sub-Regional Meeting for Intangible Cultural Heritage Safeguarding in Southeast Asia, Penang.
2018, Nomination Application for Penang Free School under National Heritage Act 2005.
2017, Updating the Tangible Heritage Building Inventories in Buffer Area, George Town World Heritage Site, Penang, Malaysia.
2017, Inception Workshop on Capacity Building for Disaster Risk Reduction of Heritage Cities in Southeast Asia and Small Island Developing States in the Pacific.

PRESENTATIONS

6 – 8 October 2019, International Symposium on Asian Port Towns and Maritime Trade Route 2019.
12 January 2019, Newton Public Workshop.
13 July 2018, Visitation of Gui Zhou Provincial Government Troupe to State Government of Penang.
1 April 2018, Workshop on History and Culture of Rural Area Penang.
15 October 2017, International Forum of Taiwanese and Penang Cultural Heritage.

Community Service

2019 – Current, Member of Carnarvon Street Hungry Ghost Festival Committee.

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

Mandarin	Fluent in reading, writing and speaking.
English	Excellent in reading, writing and speaking.
Bahasa Melayu	Excellent in reading, writing and speaking.
Hokkien	Fluent in speaking.
Cantonese	Fluent in speaking.