Introduction of Chu´s Life

    Chu Kochen (1890-1974), literarily named as Ou Fang, was a prominent Chinese meteorologist, geologist and educator. Born in Shangyu, Zhejiang, Chu went to an old-style private school when he was a child. After receiving modern education in middle school, he went to United States for further study and got a Ph.D. in 1918.

    Chu later returned back to motherland. From 1936 to 1949, he served as president of National Chekiang University (now Zhejiang University). During the days when the war broke out and the whole school was forced to move westward, Chu showed great resolution and resourcefulness by leading all the teachers and students passing through Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Guangxi and Yunnan to continue their study. Meanwhile, they supported the war of resistance and insisted on scientific research.

    Chu decided the school motto of ZJU to be "seeking truth", revealing the essential purpose of higher education to be cultivating future leaders who are "selfless, faithful and firm" with capacity to hold important positions, regulate morale and determine the fortune of the country. He emphasized that "Professors are the soul of a university. Its merit largely depends on the choice of professors".

    At that time, ZJU gathered numerous accomplished professors, such as Chen Jiangong, Su Buqing, Bei Shizhang, Tan Jiazhen, Wang Ganchang, etc. It rose sharply against arduous conditions and became a world-famous university which was praised as "The East Cambridge" by British scientist Joseph Needham.