ASIA/HONG KONG - The Jesuits in Hong Kong intensify their commitment to education with the founding of a university

Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) - The Jesuits in Hong Kong officially present the Hong Kong Special Administration the request for the establishment of their own University, and the local authorities for the land to be allocated to the University. According to the Kong Ko Bao (the Chinese version of the diocesan bulletin), the Jesuits have centuries of experience in the field of education, appreciated also in China, especially in Hong Kong, where they have two high schools. In China, their commitment to education, parallel to the mission of evangelization, dates back to the great missionary Fr. Matteo Ricci (1552-1610). In recent history, the Jesuits founded in Shang Hai the Institute of Chinese Studies in 1870 and the Aurora University in 1903: in Tian Jin, in 1922, the Institute for Trade and Industry. With the arrival of the first Irish Jesuits in Hong Kong in 1926, Ricci Hall was founded (a male accommodation within the University of Hong Kong) and two "Wah Yan College." Precisely the alumni of Wah Yan launched the first proposal for the establishment of a Jesuit University in Hong Kong, appreciating the excellent education received by the Jesuits. For a couple of years, therefore, the project has been developed with a special Commission.
Fr. Ron Anton, SJ, who has worked for a long time in Beijing contributed to the founding of the Beijing Center for Chinese Studies said: "The work for the foundation of the university is in progress and is very intense. We have already signed a cooperation agreement with 21 universities in Asia, America and Europe, and negotiations with other 4 and 5 are in progress". At the International Book Fair in Hong Kong, held in August, the Jesuits presented "The texts of Education of the Society of Jesus" and "The Education of the Jesuits" as part of the preparatory work for the establishment of the new university. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 14/09/2012)