The Founding Ceremony of Mr. Simon Suen and Mrs. Mary Suen Sino-Humanitas Institute cum Opening Ceremony of the International Symposium on the Bamboo Strip Writings, Canons and Early History was held on 30 November 2011.  Officiating at the ceremony were Professor Jao Tsung-I, GBM, JP, Honorary Consultant of the Mr. Simon Suen and Mrs. Mary Suen Sino-Humanitas Institute; Mr. Simon Suen, Chairman of the SML Group, and Mrs. Mary Suen, Honorary Directors of the Mr. Simon Suen and Mrs. Mary Suen Sino-Humanitas Institute; Mr. Wilfred Wong, SBS, JP, Chairman of the Hong Kong Baptist University Foundation cum Chairman of the Council and the Court; Professor Albert Chan, President and Vice-Chancellor; Professor Chung Ling, Associate Vice-President cum Dean of Arts; and Professor Chen Zhi, Director of the Mr. Simon Suen and Mrs. Mary Suen Sino-Humanitas Institute cum Head of Department of Chinese Language and Literature.

Speaking at the Ceremony, Mr. Simon Suen said that the humanities and culture would be the root and the source of wisdom of a nation. We should continue to promote the rich storehouse of Chinese humanities and cultures so as to empower China as a competitive and long-prospering country in the global environment.

In his address, Professor Albert Chan expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Simon Suen, Mrs. Mary Suen and Professor Jao Tsung-I for their great support for the University.  He believed that the Institute will help promote Chinese civilisation and traditional Chinese values in the academic community and in the wider international arena.  The University is delighted to have invited Professor Jao Tsung-I to be the Honorary Adviser of the Institute.  With his distinguished scholastic achievement, Professor Jao will play an important role in leading the Institute in its research endeavours to promote studies in Chinese classical learning, sinology and the humanities.

The ceremony was well-attended by guests of Mr. and Mrs. Simon Suen as well as supporters and friends of HKBU, such as Mr. Yin Jing-hui, Mr. Luo Jun-wen, Mr. Zhang Chong, Mr. Cai Xiang-chun, government officials of Changan Town, Dungguan; Ir Dr. K.K. Wong, SBS, JP, Group Chairman & CEO of the Kum Shing Group; Mr. Wong Ting Chung, BBS, Chairman & CEO of the Nameson; Mr. and Mrs. Lam Cheung Chuen, Chairman of Sun Tin Lun Holdings Limited; Mr. Alvin Chan, Chairman of Ekpac China Limited, and Mrs. Fidelia Chan; Mr. Billy Hung, Director of Wai Tak Land Investment and Loan Company Limited, together with scholars of Chinese classical learning and Sinology from around the world, members of the Council and the Court, staff and students.

Earlier this year, HKBU received a donation of HK$30 million from Mr. and Mrs. Suen, designated for the establishment of the Development Fund to support the Institute's operation, research and exchange activities relating to Chinese classical learning and Sinology.  In recognition of their generosity, the Institute has been named the Mr. Simon Suen and Mrs. Mary Suen Sino-Humanitas Institute.  Also, Mr. and Mrs. Suen have been invited to be Honorary Directors of the Institute.

Under the ambit of the Institute of Creativity of HKBU, the Mr. Simon Suen and Mrs. Mary Suen Sino-Humanitas Institute aims to enhance research in Chinese classical learning and Sinology as well as foster scholarly exchange and collaboration between East and West, especially in the area of the humanities and cross-cultural studies.