Exhibition of pioneering Hong Kong school for national talent in early 1940s opens

A new exhibition, "National Development and Achievements Series: Cultivation and Renewal – The Education Legacy of Hong Kong’s Ta Teh Institute," opened at the Hong Kong Museum of History in Tsim Sha Tsui. The free exhibition, presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, will run until February 15, showcasing the institute's impact on national education.

Ta Teh Institute, established in 1946 during the Chinese Civil War, was the second university in Hong Kong after the University of Hong Kong. Founded by the Guangdong District Committee of the Communist Party of China, it aimed to resettle important individuals and cultivate young talent for the country. Despite being closed in 1949, the institute educated over 800 promising individuals who later played significant roles in finance, politics, and national development.

The exhibition features more than 60 artifacts, 125 historical photographs, and 125 supplementary exhibits, including minutes of meetings, student cards, and lecture outlines. Curator Connie Cheung emphasized Hong Kong's role in attracting outstanding scholars and young learners. She stated that while not many Hongkongers are aware of Ta Teh, its historical significance is undeniable.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu acknowledged the government's commitment to establishing a National Development and Achievements Museum in Kwu Tung North, highlighting the lasting influence of Ta Teh's educational legacy.