Wu Teh Yao
Encyclopedia
Wu Teh Yao is an educator and a specialist in Confucianism
and political science
.
in 1936, under the recommendation of Principal David Chen, he was admitted to Nanking University (now known as Nanjing University
) for a course of Bachelor of Arts, followed by a Master of Arts degree from Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University
. He obtained a doctoral degree in political science from Harvard University
in 1946.
He was an active athlete during his secondary school years. He has represented Malayan Chinese in National Sports Carnival, Shanghai, China, during the inter-war years.
after obtaining his degree and participated in the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
. In 1951, he co-authored the Fenn-Wu Report on the Chinese education system in Malaysia.
He was appointed the President of Tunghai University
, Taiwan in 1957 and held the post until 1971. From then until 1975 he was the head of the Political Science Department, University of Singapore. He was a Professor and the Dean of College of Graduate Studies of Nanyang University
from 1975 to 1980, and had been acting vice-chancellor from 1976 to 1977. When Nanyang University and University of Singapore merged in 1980 to form the National University of Singapore
, he was appointed the Professor of Political Science. He retired in 1981.
in 1983 in the interest of studying Confucianism. The Institute has evolved into East Asian Institute as "an autonomous research organization under a statute of the National University of Singapore."
, Singapore
, and used taxi as his main form of transportation. He died on April 17, 1994 in Taipei, Taiwan, and a memorial service was held for him at the Presbyterian Church in Orchard Road
, Singapore.His youngest grandson, Bolin Wu was only two years old.
Confucianism
Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius . Confucianism originated as an "ethical-sociopolitical teaching" during the Spring and Autumn Period, but later developed metaphysical and cosmological elements in the Han...
and political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
.
Education
After his graduation from Chung Ling High SchoolChung Ling High School
Chung Ling High School is a boys' secondary school in Malaysia, located in George Town, Penang.-The school:...
in 1936, under the recommendation of Principal David Chen, he was admitted to Nanking University (now known as Nanjing University
Nanjing University
Nanjing University , or Nanking University, is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher learning in China...
) for a course of Bachelor of Arts, followed by a Master of Arts degree from Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University
Tufts University
Tufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France...
. He obtained a doctoral degree in political science from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1946.
He was an active athlete during his secondary school years. He has represented Malayan Chinese in National Sports Carnival, Shanghai, China, during the inter-war years.
Academia
Professor Wu joined the United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
after obtaining his degree and participated in the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a declaration adopted by the United Nations General Assembly . The Declaration arose directly from the experience of the Second World War and represents the first global expression of rights to which all human beings are inherently entitled...
. In 1951, he co-authored the Fenn-Wu Report on the Chinese education system in Malaysia.
He was appointed the President of Tunghai University
Tunghai University
Tunghai University was founded by Methodist missionaries in 1955 as a comprehensive university. It is a top-ranked private school and a leading institution in Taiwan. Moreover, Tunghai University was founded as the first private university making it the second oldest university in Taiwan, which...
, Taiwan in 1957 and held the post until 1971. From then until 1975 he was the head of the Political Science Department, University of Singapore. He was a Professor and the Dean of College of Graduate Studies of Nanyang University
Nanyang University
Nanyang University was a university in Singapore from 1956 to 1980. During its existence, it was Singapore's only Chinese language post-secondary institution...
from 1975 to 1980, and had been acting vice-chancellor from 1976 to 1977. When Nanyang University and University of Singapore merged in 1980 to form the National University of Singapore
National University of Singapore
The National University of Singapore is Singapore's oldest university. It is the largest university in the country in terms of student enrollment and curriculum offered....
, he was appointed the Professor of Political Science. He retired in 1981.
Offices
Professor Wu had been a director of the Institute of East Asian Philosophies, established by Dr Goh Keng SweeGoh Keng Swee
Goh Keng Swee was the second Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore between 1973 and 1984, and a Member of Parliament for the Kreta Ayer constituency for a quarter of a century. Born in Malacca in the Straits Settlements into a Peranakan family, he came to Singapore at the age of two years...
in 1983 in the interest of studying Confucianism. The Institute has evolved into East Asian Institute as "an autonomous research organization under a statute of the National University of Singapore."
Retirement
After his retirement, Professor Wu, a modest person, lived in a HDB apartment in Jurong EastJurong East
Jurong East is a neighbourhood in Singapore, bounded by the Pan Island Expressway, a canal and the shoreline of Jurong Lake, Jurong Town Hall Road, the eastern side of Jurong Gardens, Ayer Rajah Expressway, Penjuru Road, West Coast Road, Sungei Pandan and back to the Pan Island Expressway.It is...
, Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, and used taxi as his main form of transportation. He died on April 17, 1994 in Taipei, Taiwan, and a memorial service was held for him at the Presbyterian Church in Orchard Road
Orchard Road
Orchard Road is a road in Singapore that is the retail and entertainment hub of the city-state. It is regularly frequented by the local population as well as being a major tourist attraction...
, Singapore.His youngest grandson, Bolin Wu was only two years old.
