India, South and South East Asia Project

The University of Hull boasts its own South East Asia Museum which is home to artefacts collected from the region and donated by staff and students from their travels across the region, while others are bequests and gifts from institution individuals, including a Hull sea captain who left two models of traditional boats to the collection.

 

The collection of artefacts was started in 1967 by Professor Mervyn Jaspan to illustrate his classes, and he began the museum in 1968. The core of the current exhibition derives from this early collection, as well as more recent donations from his wife, Helen, and other relatives.

 

The official opening ceremony took place on 22 April 2008 when the then Vice-Chancellor, Professor David Drewry, welcomed guests including representatives from the Royal Thai Consulate and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia.

 

Professor Drewry unveiled a plaque commemorating the work and generous bequest of Dr Roy Bruton, who died in 1993. An educational sociologist with a special interest in the Sarawak region of Malasia, Dr Bruton bequeathed his collection of books and papers to the University.