Recreating the Founding Legend: Professor Selina CHAN Launches the University History Museum Project

In late autumn 2003, Professor Selina CHAN Ching, now Academic Vice-President, travelled from Singapore to Hong Kong for an interview at the then Shue Yan College. Upon stepping onto the Braemar Hill campus for the first time, whilst waiting at the Main Building reception, she noticed numerous media reports posted on the wall detailing the institution’s founding history. These articles recounted the remarkable achievements of Dr Henry HU Hung-lick and Dr CHUNG Chi-yung, who established Shue Yan at the age of 51, using their personal savings to self-fund the institution amidst challenging educational circumstances to provide opportunities for youth to pursue higher education. This extraordinary journey resonated deeply with her, allowing her to grasp the true significance of Shue Yan’s motto—Cultivating virtues of benevolence; broadening horizon of knowledge (敦仁博物)—for the very first time.

Professor CHAN recalled that upon learning about the founders’ experiences, she recognised it was no ordinary campus tale, but rather a legend worthy of being passed down through generations. “This legend embodies the spirit of benevolence. We are fortunate to witness teaching by personal example, rather than merely through words,” she reflected. After the interview, whilst waiting at the bus stop, she observed a member of the academic staff engaging warmly with several students—a sight that left a profound impression upon her.

Moved by the Founders’ Educational Devotion

Twenty-three years on, Professor CHAN , now serving as Academic Vice-President, is overseeing the planning and launch of the University History Museum project. In recent years, the university has actively promoted digital humanities by bringing together academic talent from diverse fields. This collaborative environment enabled her to assemble an interdisciplinary team comprising experts in museum studies, anthropology, digital cultural heritage, and history. Team members include Professor Libby CHAN Lai-pik, Dr CAI Shengdan, and Dr HUANG Yunjing from the Department of Sociology, alongside Dr YANG Taoyu from the Department of History.

Digitally Recreating Shue Yan’s Footprint

Professor CHAN’s team has established two core narrative themes for the museum. The first focuses on historical documentation, chronicling Shue Yan’s pivotal role in the history of Hong Kong higher education. It illustrates how the university pioneered private tertiary education whilst remaining steadfast in its educational philosophy amidst changing times, shaping a remarkable legacy within the local educational landscape. The second theme is rooted in shared memory and core values, recounting the profound hardships endured by Dr HU and Dr CHUNG in running the institution. They consistently upheld their founding commitment to education for the public good, safeguarding traditional Chinese cultural values and embodying the virtue of benevolence (仁) by creating university opportunities for local youth. This spirit of selfless dedication will be carried forward through the museum, enabling academics, students, and the wider public to appreciate and reflect upon Shue Yan’s enduring ethos.

The University History Museum will feature five exhibition zones: “Confucian Ethics and Legal Training,” “A Return to the East after a Decade Abroad,” “Cultivating Benevolence and Broadening Knowledge,” “Against the Tide: Institutional Pressure and Shue Yan’s Choices,” and “Pioneering Hong Kong’s Private University Education.”
Additionally, the museum will include five digital interactive zones that transform static archives into dynamic narratives, enhancing visitor engagement and learning effectiveness.

Student Participation in Production

Professor CHAN emphasised that a key aspect of the museum is its collaborative, bottom-up model. Beyond scholars gathering documentary materials and conducting research, students from the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Hons) in Arts, Culture and Technology (ACT) Programme and the Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Media Design and Immersive Technology (BA-MDIT) Programme, along with alumni from the Department of History, have participated in curation, animation, and the production of digital interactive installations. Together, they co-create the collective memories of the Shue Yan community and document the chapter of private university education in Hong Kong.

The University History Museum is officially set to open on 27 October 2026. It not only preserves the founding legend for future generations but also continues to promote the spirit of cultivating virtues of benevolence and broadening horizon and knowledge (敦仁博物), leaving an invaluable record for Hong Kong tertiary education and the broader Hong Kong narrative.