Zhu Kezhen Complete Works (Volume 2)

Author: ZHU Kezhen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: This volume collects ZHU Kezhen's articles, speeches, work reports, conference proposals, consultations, letters, prefaces, announcements, and notices from June 1929 to June 1949, totaling 287 pieces. Volume 2 of The Complete Works of ZHU Kezhen includes 287 writings from June 1929 to the first half of 1949, a period when China was in turmoil and the nation faced peril. Particularly, when facing national crisis, ZHU Kezhen took charge of Zhejiang University. From the warm breeze-laden West Lake to the remote and rugged region of Mianlang, he and his faculty endured hardships, demonstrating unwavering dedication to education and nation-building. Under extremely challenging conditions, they nurtured invaluable intellectual resources for the revival of the Chinese nation, earning Zhejiang University the reputation of "the Cambridge of the East" among international friends. ZHU Kezhen's words and deeds during this critical period solidified his status as "the backbone of China."
From 1928 to 1946, ZHU Kezhen served as the Director of the Institute of Meteorology at the Academia Sinica. He personally led the construction of a meteorological research base in Beigujie, Nanjing, fostering a skilled research team. He established journals, organized annual meetings, actively participated in international academic exchanges, and dedicated himself to advancing China's meteorological cause. Following geology and biology, meteorology became a discipline that rapidly achieved localization and institutionalization. With his high-level research achievements and exceptional organizational talent, ZHU Kezhen gained recognition from both academia and society. He served as a member of the Academic Council of the Academia Sinica from 1935 and was elected as a Fellow of the Academia Sinica in 1948.
In April 1933, ZHU Kezhen, along with WENG Wenhao and ZHANG Qiyong, proposed the establishment of the Chinese Geographical Society, which was founded the following year. Due to his outstanding contributions to geographical education and research, he was revered as a master of modern Chinese geography, much like his achievements in meteorology.
In April 1936, ZHU Kezhen was appointed as the President of Zhejiang University. He vigorously reformed corrupt practices, organized a team of outstanding faculty, implemented the principle of "governance by professors," established the motto "Seek Truth," emphasized liberal arts education, and promoted scientific research. After a relatively stable period in Meitan, Zhejiang University rose from adversity to become one of China's most renowned universities.
At his dual posts at Zhejiang University and the Institute of Meteorology, ZHU Kezhen devoted most of his energy to organizational and administrative work. As a celebrated scholar of his time, he frequently attended various conferences and commemorative events, and his speeches, recorded in writing, highlighted the intellectual freedom and personal independence cherished by free-thinking intellectuals. He consistently demonstrated a deep humanistic concern for the people's livelihood, national quality, the fate of the nation, and global peace and development.
This book adheres to the principle of "preserving authenticity," striving to faithfully present ZHU Kezhen's academic accomplishments and life journey, reflecting the historical process of political changes and social-cultural transformations in modern China.