Past university

Author: Zhong Shuhe
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: In the past, universities were often like individuals. Over time, they took on various personalities, and during their existence, they developed a distinct character. Past university students could be identified by their speech and behavior, as it was evident which university they graduated from, thanks to this unique character. The cultivation of a university's character relied on its president, often referred to as the "captain steering the ship." However, past university presidents possessed a higher level of self-awareness—they would place themselves under the established system rather than above it, especially during the pioneering stages of building a university. For example, Cai Yuanpei of Peking University and Zhang Boling of Nankai University. By reading these stories from the past campus, one would understand what truly makes a university a university.