Dr Joseph Ting Sun-pao , a well-known historian of Chinese and Hong Kong history and formerly Chief Curator of the Hong Kong Museum of History, is devoted to preserving the city’s heritage and revitalising history education in Hong Kong.
Dr Ting graduated from The University of Hong Kong with a BA degree in 1974, an MPhil in 1979 and a PhD in 1989. During his tenure as Chief Curator of the Hong Kong Museum of History from 1995 to 2007, Dr Ting played an instrumental role in the planning and construction of the new Hong Kong Museum of History premises and its well acclaimed Hong Kong Story permanent exhibition, Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence and Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum. He carried on to contribute his expertise to the formation and operation of various museums in Hong Kong and Mainland China, such as Tai Kwun,
Mei Ho House Museum of Livelihood, Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Museum, Guangdong Provincial Museum, Shenzhen Museum, and Nanshan Museum.
Keen on passing his knowledge to the younger generation, Dr Ting remains active after retirement. He continues to write books,
give lectures and volunteers to lead many exploration tours in Hong Kong and the Mainland. He is currently the Honorary Professor of the School of Chinese at The University of Hong Kong, Adjunct Professor of the Department of Literature and Cultural Studies at The Education University of Hong Kong, and Adjunct Professor and Honorary Senior Research Fellow in the Department of History at The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
To Dr Ting, history exists not only as artefacts behind glass cases in museums, but also in the very fabric of our community. He believes educating the public with all forms of fun-filled activities is an effective way to help them discover the joy of learning history. A passionate and eloquent storyteller, his talks and guided tours are always eye-opening and insightful and are welcomed with great enthusiasm. Apart from education, he has also shouldered a plethora of public duties for the government and many organisations, inter alia, the Antiquities Advisory Board, The Lord Wilson Heritage Trust, the Intangible Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee, the Education Bureau of Hong Kong and the Advisory Committee of Countryside Conservation. Most recently, he is on the editorial board of Hong Kong Chronicles, an immense project covering 7,000 years of Hong Kong history with 25 million words in 42 books, scheduled to be completed by 2027. Dr Ting keenly promotes arts and culture at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). Currently a member of the Culture Promotion Committee, Dr Ting was Historian-in-Residence at PolyU in 2018/2019 and steered a series of activities and programmes on the history of Silk Roads.
For his exceptional achievement in museum management and his lifelong endeavour in history, the HKSAR government bestowed a Bronze Bauhinia Star upon him in 2019.
Chairman Lam, University Council Members, President Teng and Honoured Guests,
I am honoured and grateful to be conferred the University Fellowship by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). About six months ago, when I got the news from the President himself, I was both shocked and thrilled. I felt shocked because I have always been dedicated to research and promotion of culture and history, which have little to do with sciences and engineering that PolyU is famous for. I was also thrilled because this year marks the 85th Anniversary of PolyU. As a historian, it is especially meaningful to be named a University Fellow in such a memorable year in PolyU’s history.
Scientific research is driven by curiosity and imagination, both indispensable to discoveries. Similarly, a historian needs an inquisitive mind to learn about people and events in places along the axis of time. To engage in historical research, it is important to assume boldly and verify carefully. As the famous historian from Han Dynasty Sima Qian once championed, “When investigating the relationships between the stars and humans, one needs to fully understand how the history unfolds in the past and present, before establishing one’s own theory”. This is a testimony showing what scientific and historical researches have in common.
From the Government Trade School in 1937, to The Hong Kong Polytechnic University today, 85 years have flown by like an arrow. Throughout her glorious history, PolyU has nurtured countless brilliant figures for Hong Kong. In the post-war period in particular, Hong Kong was transformed from an entrepot to a regional industrial hub. PolyU had been the cradle for grooming the first cohorts of remarkable industrialists, engineers, and experts in various disciplines. Nowadays, PolyU has even contributed to the space missions of our country. I am so proud of being a part of the PolyU family.
The Hong Kong Museum of History that I worked for until I retired is just across the street from PolyU. Yet, I never set foot on the campus until six years ago when I was appointed a member of PolyU’s Culture Promotion Committee. It dawned on me that even though PolyU is most famous for its scientific and engineering researches, she attaches great importance to the organisation of culture, art and history-related programmes and activities, through which to cultivate interests and knowledge, and nurture a good sense of art and history among students. PolyU is the only university in Hong Kong with a department dedicated to promoting art and culture and for that, you have my utmost respect. I hope PolyU will continue its efforts in promoting culture, achieve greater success, and nurture more talent for Hong Kong and our motherland.
Finally, I thank PolyU once again for naming me a University Fellow. Thank you.
