Professor Jao Tsung-I served as a professor and Head of the Department of Chinese Studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong from 1973 to 1978. After retiring, he oversaw the Computerised Database of Excavated Wood/Bamboo and Silk Scripts of China and Computerised Database of Oracular Inscriptions on Tortoise Shells and Bones using modern scientific techniques, promoting traditional culture.
Professor Jao is a world-renowned sinologist who engaged in the study of a broad spectrum disciplines, including ancient philology, Dunhuang studies, archaeology, the study of ancient bronze and stone inscriptions, history, classical literature, the study of ci, historical musicology, the history of fine arts, the history of Sino-Indian relationship, the history of religions, the study of Chu Ci, literary bibliography as well as regional historiography. He has published over 80 specialised books and more than 500 papers. He has received numerous awards and honorary doctorates and professorships, including Honorary Membership of the Société Asiatique in France, an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree from the Ēcole Pratique des Hautes Ētudes of France, being the first Chinese to receive such an honour in the humanities from that institution, and Associate Foreign Member of the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, Institut de France. He also received the Award of Special Contributions to the Protection and Research on Dunhuang Relics from the Gansu Provincial People’s Government and the National Bureau of Relics, China.
