History, Missions & Objectives
The Mr. Simon Suen and Mrs. Mary Suen Sino-Humanitas Institute is a research centre dedicated to enhancing Chinese Humanities studies, which organizes a wide range of academic and cultural activities, publishes academic monographs and proceedings, and nurtures young scholars with much potential in research.
Since Jesuit missionaries began translating Confucian classics into Latin and modern European languages in the 17th century, there has been a rich tradition of scholarship on traditional Chinese culture in Europe. International Sinology, encompassing the Chinese scholarship of other East Asian countries like Japan and Korea, is now flourishing throughout the world. The Sino-Humanitas Institute aims to promote Sinological research and exchange between Chinese and foreign scholars throughout the world.
In 2011, with the generous support of a donation from the chairman of the SML Group, Mr. Simon Suen, and Mrs. Mary Suen, HKBU established the “Mr. Simon Suen and Mrs. Mary Suen Sino-Humanitas Institute Development Fund,” to sponsor the activities of the institute and related research activities. To commemorate the Suens’ gift, the university has named the institute in their honor, and appointed Mr. and Mrs. Suen as honorary directors of the institute.
The SHI Inauguration Ceremony was officiated by Professor Jao Tsung-i, GBM, Permanent Honorary Adviser of SHI (3rd left); Dr. Simon Suen, BBS, JP, and Mrs. Mary Suen, Honorary Directors of SHI (3rd and 2nd right); Dr. Wilfred Y.W. Wong, GBS, JP, Former Chairman of HKBU Foundation (2nd left); Professor Albert Chan, Former President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU (1st left); and Professor Chen Zhi, Founding Director of SHI (1st right).
Encompass Classic Learning;
Connect World Scholarship;
Stand on Tradition;
Forge New Wisdom
– Professor Zhang Hongsheng, Director of Mr. Simon Suen and Mrs. Mary Suen Sino-Humanitas Institute (Rendered in his calligraphy)
Enhance innovative research in the study of Chinese humanities with frontier research output;
Nurture research students and young scholars for the field of Chinese humanities;
Foster international collaborations and academic and cultural exchange, with its high-level platform for scholarly dialogues in Chinese studies;
Promote knowledge transfer specific in Chinese humanities to the general public, by creating and distributing knowledge for positive social impact.