今天是一个重要且意义深远的仪式，感谢来自海内外的著名学者，华校精英齐聚一堂见证炎黄国际文化协会马来西亚分会的成立庆典；尤其要感谢中国驻马来西亚大使柴玺阁下的代表林动参赞拨冗主持开幕仪式及6名来自北京大学的教授出席与祝贺，当然不忘感谢整个庆典的核心人物林祥雄教授肩负起中华文化的传承，才有今日的开花结果。
所有的这一切都起源于韩江学院的成立。十三年前的千禧年，在我们的前任董事长丹斯里陈国平的领导下，一间竖立在北马的韩江学院终于拔地而起。它不但与南马的南方大学学院、中马的新纪元学院形成鼎足而立的具有华教背景的大专院校，而且也在教育领域上擦亮了这颗东方明珠。这个名词是我们海外华人及西方社会用来形容我们美丽的槟榔屿的，也在后来被引用来衬托起美丽的香港。
这不是巧合，而是在历史上先有英国人1786年占领了槟榔屿及1819年开辟了新加坡，接着在1826年取得了马六甲而结成了海峡殖民地，控制了马六甲海峡。
因为有了马六甲海峡的主导权，大英帝国在1840年通过鸦片战争打开中国的门户，不仅用大量的鸦片荼毒中国人民，而且也在1842年逼使清廷签署《南京条约》，将香港割让给英国。从那一刻起，槟城、新加坡和香港的命运就被绑在一起了。
因为大英帝国有了通道和方便，它继之又反过来通过香港将大量的华工运来槟城和新加坡，因此你不必质疑为什么在鸦片战争后槟城和新加坡成为华人麇集的城市。从历史上来看槟城是华人大量南来的第一站，随后才有更多的华人涌入新加坡和印尼及泰国等。
在鸦片战争之后的整整一百年，中国人民及海外华人受尽凌辱与蹂躏后才在1949年迎来了春天。在毛泽东主席的领导下，一个新生的中华人民共和国在浴血中诞生。中国人民站立起来的同时，海外的华人也热泪盈眶迎接这伟大的时刻。
就在海外华人数量大大增加以后，也带来了中华文化的传播；尤其是在孙中山的辛亥革命于1911年成功后，已大大地鼓舞马新的华人更加地热爱自身的文化，一个现代性的社会在乱世中苦难地成长。
当1919年“五四”运动吹起了爱国主义并提倡科学与民主的号角后，也就进一步刺激了马新的华人兴学办报，一时之间，华校如雨后春笋地建立起来。根据统计，在1921年时，马新已有新式华校252间，到了1924年，更增长一倍至502间。换句话说，中华文化是跟随着孙中山的辛亥革命和“五四”运动的步伐而成为马新社会的一大特色。也就有了今天马来西亚是海外保有和发扬中华文化最完整的说法。
举例来说，我们的韩江小学是在1919年“五四”运动开展后成立的，直到今天已有94年的历史，再过6年就是韩小百人树人的百年校庆了。
下来，我们的潮籍先贤又于1950年创办了韩江中学。1951年开学时学生不过200名，但我们当时的董事长已故林连登老先生一口气请了五位博士来掌校和执教，一时传为佳话。他们是庄泽宣、黄尊生、何永佶、熊叔隆及严元章。
韩江中学在60年代走向高峰，有学生超过3000名，更在一个时期成为左翼的温床。也是在那个年代，我们的中学拒绝改制，走自力更生的办学方针。在1962年时，我们是北马地区唯一没有接受改制的独立中学。我们傲然立足在这块土地上，继续为国作育英才。因为先贤的胆识、后人的坚持与执着，我们维持了一个令人称羡的华文教育体系。
当今共有60间华文独立中学和78间华文国民型中学。在这个基础上，我们的华社又在90年代和千禧年孕育三间具有华校背景的学院。如果与当下1294间华文小学串起来，我们的华文教育虽然面对诸多挑战和困难，但我们依然守护着这一道亮丽的华教风景线。
随着韩江学院的成立，我们已成为当下马来西亚唯一以相同名字命名的教育体系或称之为一条龙的教育，我们对此引以为荣。
这一切的发展要归功和感谢以丹斯里陈国平为首的董事会，而今天也要感谢现任董事长拿督黄赐兴校友的克绍其裘，继续带领韩江三校向前迈进。我们的小学是全马的名校，刚荣夺教育部颁给最佳表现学校奖。我们的中学连续两届荣获教育部颁发五星级奖状。而我们的韩江学院也在人文艺术领域中享有五星级的荣誉，目前正朝向大学学院迈进。相信不久之后，我们会如愿以偿，因为我们已按要求和规定向教育部呈献提升大学学院之完整报告。
与此同时，我们在2003年成立了韩江华人文化馆，从六千多方尺发展到今日万余方尺。我要借此机会感谢本校署理董事长连承杰校友慷慨拨款33万元马币资助改造华人文化馆。这座全马大专院校中独一无二的文化馆，集中反映了我们先贤南来的历史和奋斗的成就。
如今转眼又是十年，也是文化馆庆祝十周年之际，我们得到了炎黄国际文化协会会长林祥雄教授的支持与赞助。他不但鼓励我组织一批有识之士成立马来西亚分会，也在去年访问韩院时十分慷慨，二话不说地捐献韩江华人文化馆一百万元马币，以设立韩江华人文化馆创新研究基金。
我们的目的是要使韩院也转型成研究型的大专院校之一。
林祥雄教授，因为有了您的支持，韩江华人文化馆终于发光发亮，也照亮学者研究和探索的道路。
在这方面，我们在下一个仪式将会公布获得研究基金赞助学术研究的三名学者作为文化馆成立十周年的献礼。
不能忘记的是今天下午我们的林教授将和北京大学的六名教授学者一起开讲，主题是多元民族VS文明对话，我们相信以他们的博学必能给我们的听众一新耳目。
感谢他们的到来，照亮了韩院前进的道路。
最后再一次谢谢大家的出席，让我们记下这历史性的一刻，见证炎黄国际文化协会与中国的母体协会形成一条文化的纽带，也照亮世界华人的未来。
Today holds an iconic and meaningful event. I am
thankful the overseas academic delegation and the Chinese elites are gathered
here to celebrate and witness the inauguration of Global Chinese Arts & Culture Society Malaysia Branch.
I would like to specially thank the ambassador of People’s Republic of China in
Malaysia Dato Chai Xi representation Mr. Lin Dong, the Counselor for Console affairs on behalf
his Excellency to
officiate the ceremony as well as the six professors from Peking University to
grace the event. I would also like to thank the central figure of today’s event
Professor Lin Xiang Xiong for his relentless effort and contribution in
promoting Chinese culture.
All these
were originated from the founding of Han Chiang College thirteen years ago in
year 2000. Led by former Chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Tan Kok Ping JP, Han Chiang
College was therefore established in Northern Malaysia. Since then, Southern
University College in Southern Malaysia, New Era College in Central Malaysia
and Han Chiang College in Northern Malaysia, these Chinese oriented
institutions have created a unique tripartite scene in the education industry
and exalted “The Pearl of the Orient”. This nickname was a compliment to the
beauty of Penang by the westerner. It was later referred to Hong Kong.
The British
colonized Penang in 1786 and founded Singapore in 1819. Later in 1826 they took
over Malacca and formed the Straits Settlement. From there the British
controlled the entire straits of Malacca.
Having
dominance over the straits, the British shipped large amount of opium to China
and eventually led to the Opium War in 1840 in China. China being defeated in
the war resulted cession of Hong Kong to the United Kingdom via the forceful enactment of the Treaty of Nanking in
1842. Since then, the fate of Penang, Singapore and Hong Kong was closely knit
together.
Given the
strategic location of Hong Kong, British exported many Chinese labors to Penang
and Singapore. On the other hand, the
Chinese felt compelled to move out of the country because of the severe social
unrest then. From the perspective of history, Penang was the
first settlement place for overseas Chinese and later more were seen to
relocate to Singapore.
One century after the Opium War, the land was
ravaged with foreign invasions and social unrest until 1949 the political
leader Chairman Mao Zedong proclaimed establishment of the “People’s Republic
of China”. Not only were the people in China overwhelmed with joy by this
revolutionary change, overseas Chinese were also heartened to see glimpse of
hope in their homeland.
When overseas Chinese population exponentially grew
coupled with the success of Xinhai Revolution by Sun Yat Sen, Chinese culture
was even more valued and gradually ushered into a modern society.
1919 May Fourth Movement that advocated patriotism
and selective adoption of science and democracy had induced the rise of Chinese
press and Chinese schools. According to statistics in 1921, there were 252
Chinese schools in Malaysia and Singapore. 1924, the number grew a fold to 504.
In other words, Chinese culture became a significant social characteristic in
Malaysia and Singapore following the success of Xinhai Revolution and May
Fourth Movement. Among the many countries, Malaysia has notably preserved and
carried forward the Chinese culture well.
For instance, Han Chiang Primary School was
established after the May Fourth Movement in 1919. To date, it is ninety four
years old and another six years will mark its centennial anniversary.
Later, our forefathers founded Han Chiang Secondary
in 1951. It started off with less than 200 students. During which time, the
then Chairman Lim Lean Teng hired five doctorate to manage and teach. Such act
of boldness struck a chord in the industry then.
Han Chiang Secondary School continued to thrive
with over 3000 students. At one point of time, it even became a cradle of
leftist. It was also during that time Han Chiang Secondary School refused to
succumb to the policy change and adopted an independent system. In 1962, it was
the only secondary school not having been revamped. Until today, it is still
standing strong nurturing talents for our nation. Because of the foresight of
our forefathers, we can now enjoy an enviable Chinese education system.
There are 60 Chinese independent schools and 78
government Chinese schools. In addition to this, our Chinese community
established another three Chinese oriented institutions in the 90s and
millennial. Together with another 1294 Chinese primary schools, the development
of Chinese education is one that filled with perpetual challenges and
difficulties. However, we are standing strong against all odds for the
promising future.
We are immensely proud of the establishment of Han
Chiang College. Han Chiang is the only entity that comes with a complete system
from primary to tertiary education.
The success is attributed to Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Tan
Kok Ping JP and the Board of Directors. We also owe much thanks to Dato’ Ooi So
Hing for helming Han Chiang Three Institutions. Han Chiang Primary School being
a prestigious school has just won the accolade of the Most Outstanding School
given by the Ministry of Education. Han Chiang Secondary School was awarded
five-star grading for two consecutive years by the Ministry of Education. Han
Chiang College was also awarded five stars for arts and humanity programmes. It
is now moving towards University College. With full compliance to necessary
requirements by the Ministry of Education, we believe we will clinch the status
soon.
In 2003, Han Chiang Chinese Heritage Centre was
established. From an initial 6000 square foot, it later developed into a 10,000
over square foot centre. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the
Deputy Chairman Heah Theare Haw for his generous donation of RM330,000 to
revamp Heritage Centre. The Heritage Centre houses a complete history and
struggles of our forefathers.
One decade passes swiftly and now we are
celebrating the tenth anniversary of Heritage Centre. We have been receiving
generous support and sponsor from Professor Lin Xiang Xiong, President of Global Chinese Arts & Culture Society (GCACS). Not
only did he encourage me to form a GCACS Malaysia Branch, he even donated RM1
million to Heritage Centre as research fund for Innovation Research Foundation.
Our ultimate goal is to transit into a university
college.
Owing to the benevolence of Professor Lin Xiang
Xiong, Han Chiang Chinese Heritage Centre could continue to thrive. It also
enables more academics to delve into relevant researches.
We are honoured to have Professor Lin Xiang Xiong
and the academic delegation from Peking University to grace the event. They
will be conducting a symposium on Multiracialism versus Civilization. We
believe it will be a true eye opener to hear from these academics.
We thank the
distinguished guests and everyone for turning up. Let us witness and celebrate
the bilateral ties between GCACS and China Association which will bring about a
brighter future for the Chinese.
16-11-2013
没有评论:
发表评论