| Office | Minister of Education of the Republic of China |
|---|---|
| Term start | 10 June 1996 |
| Term end | 9 February 1998 |
| Predecessor | Kuo Wei-fan |
| Successor | Lin Ching-chiang |
| Birth date | April 9, 1934 |
| Birth place | Nanjing, Republic of China |
| Death date | 14 January 2008 (aged 73) |
| Death place | Tainan City, Taiwan |
| Education | National Cheng Kung University (BS) |
| Office 1 | President of National Cheng Kung University |
| Term start 1 | 1994 |
| Term end 1 | 1996 |
| Predecessor 1 | Ma Che-ju |
| Successor 1 | Huang Ting-chia |
| Field | Hydraulic engineering Mechanical engineering |
|---|---|
| Thesis url | https://www.proquest.com/openview/948eb20e08f172b9c063f54749ef9aa9/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y |
| Thesis year | 1964 |
| Doctoral advisor | Louis Landweber |
| Hide | yes |
|---|---|
| T | 吳京 |
| Poj | Ngô͘ Keng |
| Tl | Ngôo King |
| P | Wú Jīng |
Wu Jin (; 9 April 1934 – 14 January 2008) was a Taiwanese civil, mechanical, and hydraulic engineer 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. After moving to Taiwan, he graduated from National Cheng Kung University with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 1956.[1] He then completed graduate studies in the United States, earning a Master of Science (M.S.) in 1961 and his Ph.D. in 1964, both from the University of Iowa in mechanical engineering and hydraulic engineering.[2] His doctoral dissertation, completed under Louis Landweber, was titled, "The measurement of viscous drag of ship forms".[3]
After receiving his doctorate, Wu was a research fellow at Academia Sinica in 1986 and was elected a member of Academia Sinica in the same year.[2][4] In 1995, Wu was elected to the United States National Academy of Engineering.[5]
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.[6] 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.[4][7] In Taiwan, he served as the president of National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) from 1994 to 1996.[2][4]
Minister for Education
Wu was selected by President Lee Teng-hui to serve as Taiwan's education minister in June 1996.[2] He was known for his progressive views on the reforms needed in Taiwan's educational system.[2]
Wu stepped down as Minister for Education in February 1998.[2] 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.[2] (Lee Yuan-tseh had previously chaired a panel force in the 1980s which had led to a number of changes concerning education in Taiwan.[2])
Death
Wu Jin was diagnosed with cancer of the ampulla of Vater, a rare form of the disease, in 2006.[2] He received treatment at the National Cheng Kung University Hospital in Taiwan and the United States.[2]
Wu's health began to deteriorate in December 2007 following a trip to Mainland China.[2] He died on 14 January 2008 at National Cheng Kung University Hospital in Tainan, Taiwan, at the age of 74.[2] Wu was survived by his wife, Tzu-Chen C. Wu. His funeral took place in Tainan on 27 January 2008.[2][7]
References
- ^ Tulin, Marshall P. "JIN WU 1934-2008". Memorial Tributes: National Academy of Engineering. 21
- ^ "Former Education Minister Wu Jin dies at 74". Central News Agency. 2008-01-16. Retrieved 2008-01-21. Alternate URL
- ^ "Measurement of viscous drag of ship forms" (PhD Thesis). Proquest. 1964. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
- ^ "Jin Wu 吳京". Academia Sinica. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "Dr. Jin Wu". United States National Academy of Engineering. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "Dr. Jin Wu". University of Iowa.
- ^ "In Memoriam Jin Wu". University of Delaware. 18 January 2008. Retrieved 11 November 2024.