Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) welcomed Palace Museum Research Institute Director Zhang Hongwei to campus, who gave the 242nd lecture in the SUSTech Lecture Series. His lecture, entitled “Gugongnology and General Education” was hosted by Communications and Public Relations Office Director Zhang Ling.
Director Zhang Hongwei is also an adjunct professor at Nankai University and the Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. He is also the chairman of the Beijing Zheng He Marine Culture Research Association. Director Zhang Hongwei has been heavily involved in many documentaries about Chinese history as it relates to historical relics and the Forbidden City.
The start of his lecture saw him discuss the story of the Forbidden City, as well as the establishment of the Palace Museum. Director Zhang provided some little-known anecdotes, while speaking about the variety of interpretations of the Forbidden City’s culture and history in modern art.
He also spoke about the vast collection of artifacts that the Palace Museum holds, giving an insight into the unique collected works that include paintings, ceramics, bronzes and books. Director Zhang stressed the importance of telling the stories behind each piece, as they all provide enormous historical value. He reflected on the tumultuous past of the Palace Museum and said that the Forbidden City plays an essential role in displaying the history of Chinese civilization, and thus is cherished by the nation. With that love, the management of its resources has been of high quality, which has seen its relics passed down to future generations with due care.
Turning to general education, Director Zhang said that it provides a comprehensive overview that provides students with an indispensable component of a well-rounded education. A human-oriented education means that universities cultivate high-quality leaders that think more widely about the outcomes of their work, and the Palace Museum, within the Forbidden City, is a reflection of those efforts. He hoped that SUSTech students would take some time to visit the Forbidden City to learn more about China’s rich cultural heritage.
