The

Author: Chen Yuan (Editor)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: Seeking the Lost Spirit of Universities and Rebuilding the Moral Foundation of Education Cai Yuanpei once described Peking University as a "university that embraces all schools of thought and gathers all disciplines," making it the birthplace of the New Culture Movement during the May Fourth Era with its "freedom of thought and inclusiveness." Zhu Kezhen said that a university is a place of "seeking truth," and that "those who run a university must have a philosophical core," emphasizing the need for "the pursuit of truth" and the principle of being a person who "knows right from wrong without considering personal gain or loss." "A gentleman may face criticism from the world and even from future generations but remains undeterred, for they seek only the truth. How can they be swayed by praise or blame of the moment? This is the essence of our university's spirit of seeking truth," leading to Soochow University, hailed as the "stronghold of the Southeastern people." Zhang Xilin said, "Education is not just about teaching students to read and write, but also about cultivating talent, with balanced development in all three aspects of education without neglecting any." This led to the emergence of Nankai University, where Zhou Enlai once studied. Mei Yiqi said, "A university is not measured by its buildings, but by its great scholars," resulting in Tsinghua University, where master scholars thrived, providing strong support for "liberal arts education." These words have been absent for a long time, perhaps considered outdated and archaic. Yet in the new century, they resonate deeply, evoking endless reflection. Can today's universities still possess such grandeur? This book is divided into three sections.
Section 1: Universities and Presidents selects famous presidents from renowned universities of that time, either narrating the hardships they faced in founding the schools or their experiences and choices when the environment of universities changed. It not only records "their deeds" but also explores "the reasons behind their deeds." The list of Cai Yuanpei, Zhu Kezhen, Mei Yiqi, Zhang Boling, (Jude Scott), and Tang Wenhui can be seen as a microcosm of past university presidents, offering insights into the history of university development.
Section 2: University Anecdotes focuses on universities that are less known today, such as St. John's University, Jinling University, Wuhan University, and Yunnan University, many of which no longer exist. By exploring the stories that unfolded in these campuses, one can understand what truly makes a university a university.
Section 3: University Concepts is a recent effort by scholars to organize the resources left by past universities, serving as a critique and advice for contemporary education.