Misplaced Pages

Wu Jin
吳京
Minister of Education of the Republic of China
In office 10 June 1996 – 9 February 1998
Preceded by	Kuo Wei-fan
Succeeded by	Lin Ching-chiang
Personal details
Born	(1934-01-04)January 4, 1934 Nanjing, Republic of China
Died	14 January 2008(2008-01-14) (aged 73) Tainan City, Taiwan
Nationality	Republic of China
Education	National Cheng Kung University (BS) University of Iowa (PhD)

Wu Jin (Chinese: 吳京; pinyin: Wú Jīng; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Ngô͘ Keng; 9 April 1934 – 14 January 2008) was a Taiwanese educator and politician who served as Minister for Education between 1996 and 1998 under president Lee Teng-hui.

Early life and career

Wu was born in Nanjing on 9 April 1934, and earned a bachelor's degree from National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan in 1956. Wu obtained his Ph.D. in mechanics and hydraulics from the University of Iowa, in Iowa City, Iowa, U.S. He was a research fellow at the Academia Sinica in 1986 and elected to membership of the Academia Sinica in the same year. In 1995, Wu was elected to the United States National Academy of Engineering.

Upon graduating from the University of Iowa, Wu worked for Hydronautics, Inc. as a research scientist within the Fluid Motions Division, and in 1966, became head of that division. In 1972, Wu was promoted again, to lead the Hawaii-based Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Division. Wu joined the University of Delaware faculty in 1974, and held the H. Fletcher Brown Professorship in Marine Studies and Civil Engineering from 1980 to 1998. In Taiwan, he served as the first president of Tainan's National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) from 1994 to 1996.

Minister for Education

Wu was selected by President Lee Teng-hui to serve as Taiwan's education minister in June 1996. He was known for his progressive views on the reforms needed in Taiwan's educational system.

Wu stepped down as Minister for Education in February 1998. His resignation was due to a difference of opinion dispute between himself and the president of Academia Sinica, Lee Yuan-tseh, over the pace and types of educational reforms needed. (Lee Yuan-tseh had previously chaired a panel force in the 1980s which had led to a number of changes concerning education in Taiwan.)

Death

Wu Jin was diagnosed with cancer of the ampulla of Vater, a rare form of the disease, in 2006. He received treatment at the National Cheng Kung University Hospital in Taiwan and the United States.

Wu's health began to deteriorate in December 2007 following a trip to Mainland China. He died on 14 January 2008 at National Cheng Kung University Hospital in Tainan, Taiwan, at the age of 74. Wu was survived by his wife, Tzu-Chen C. Wu. His funeral took place in Tainan on 27 January 2008.

References

1. Tulin, Marshall P. "JIN WU 1934-2008". Memorial Tributes: National Academy of Engineering. 21.
2. ^ "Former Education Minister Wu Jin dies at 74". Central News Agency. 2008-01-16. Retrieved 2008-01-21. Alternate URL
3. ^ "Jin Wu 吳京". Academia Sinica. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
4. "Dr. Jin Wu". United States National Academy of Engineering. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
5. "Dr. Jin Wu". University of Iowa.
6. ^ "In Memoriam Jin Wu". University of Delaware. 18 January 2008. Retrieved 11 November 2024.

• 1934 births
• 2008 deaths
• Taiwanese educators
• University of Iowa alumni
• Ministers of education of Taiwan
• Deaths from cancer in Taiwan
• Politicians from Nanjing
• Members of Academia Sinica
• Republic of China politicians from Jiangsu
• Academic staff of the National Cheng Kung University
• Educators from Zhenjiang
• Presidents of universities and colleges in Taiwan
• Taiwanese people from Jiangsu
• Foreign associates of the National Academy of Engineering
• National Cheng Kung University alumni