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An exhibition which outlines Hong Kong's development in culture and education over the past 50 years will be held from tomorrow (March 7) until May 28 at the Hong Kong Museum of History.
The "Fifty Years of Cultural and Educational Development in Hong Kong" exhibition was opened today (March 6) by Assistant Director (Heritage and Museums) of Leisure and Cultural Services (LCSD), Dr Louis Ng Chi-wah, and Head of United College of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Professor KP Fung.
Jointly presented by the LCSD and United College of the CUHK, the exhibition, divided into four stages: "Continuity and Transformation of Traditional Culture", "Germination of Hong Kong Identity", "End of Colonial Rule and Reunification with China" and "Globalisation of Culture and Education", features 39 items of illustrations and photos which focus on the cultural and educational development in Hong Kong from 1956 to 2006. It also examines the inter-relationship between United College and the local community.
Highlight exhibits include report cards of United College students for 1957-58, a leaflet of the First Graduation Ceremony of United College in 1957, a group photo of the United College's first graduates in 1957, a graduation thesis manuscript of a United College student in 1958, a joint Primary Six Examination certificate issued by the Hong Kong Education Department in 1959, a copy of a Hong Kong School Certificate Examination certificate issued by the Hong Kong Education Department in 1961, primary school textbooks, the 1966 issue of "Current Literature", a letter paper used by the First Cabinet of United College Student Union in 1969-70 and the issue of United College's "Student Paper" in 1973.
After World War Two, education in Hong Kong was confronted with severe difficulties. As a result, the Government played an active part in promoting education during that period. The development of Chinese education was emphasised. In 1956, United College was founded by the amalgamation of five private colleges: Canton Overseas, Kwang Hsia, Wah Kiu, Wen Hua and Ping Jing. In 1963, the CUHK was inaugurated with United College as one of the three foundation colleges. More and more tertiary institutions were thus established and provided students with increasing opportunities for further studies.
There is a close relationship between educational and cultural development. Hong Kong is a melting pot of different cultures: it was earlier influenced by Western and Japanese cultures and is more under the influence of South Korean culture in recent years. With advancement in science and technology and improvements in living standards, Hong Kong people have placed more demands on social culture, facilitating the diversification of local culture, which, to a certain extent, shapes the development of Hong Kong education.
The "Fifty Years of Cultural and Educational Development in Hong Kong" exhibition is staged at the Foyer of the Museum of History. Admission is free.
The Museum of History is located at 100 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. It opens from 10am to 6pm from Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 7pm on Sundays and public holidays. It is closed on Tuesdays except public holidays. Admission to the permanent exhibition gallery is $10 and a half-price concession is available to full-time students, senior citizens and people with disabilities. Admission is free on Wednesdays.
For details, please visit the Museum of History's website at http://hk.history.museum or call 2724 9042.
Ends/Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:15
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