Setting a Role Model for Architecture Education, Nurturing Talent for the Development of Taiwan
/ Ran-Chi Wu / Founder of the Ran-Chi Wu Architecture and Education Foundation
The Department of Architecture at NCKU established its master’s program in 1968, the first of its kind in Taiwan. Dr. Ran-Chi Wu, a graduate from the University of Tokyo, served formerly as the chair of the department and the director of its graduate institute, instructing his students and nurturing countless talents based on his college education in Japan. He is undoubtedly one of the key figures who have had a great influence on Taiwan’s architectural education.
Imparting Knowledge Acquired from the University of Tokyo; Building a Research System for the Dept. of Architecture
In 1953, Ran-Chi Wu was admitted into Taiwan Provincial College of Engineering Technology. Upon completion of his college education and military service, he went to Japan to pursue advanced studies and earned a PhD in architecture. As the first alumnus of NCKU receiving a doctorate in architecture, he wished to put into application in Taiwan what he had learned in Japan. “I was thinking that if Taiwan could catch up with Japan within five years (after my return), it would be hopeful for us to envision an overall improvement 50 years from now.” Thus, upon appointment as an NCKU faculty member, he started to implement a research system on campus.
To begin with, he arranged for a warehouse of the department to be vacated and furnished with five tables and chairs. All students were asked to stay in the room doing research and writing their questions on the blackboard. He would provide answers to each question for them.
By serendipity, he initiated the tradition of the department that every teacher should be given an individual research room, allowing them to mentor their students in there. He also established a research system and drew up the corresponding protocol to facilitate its administration.
Meanwhile, with the help of several former students, also graduates from the University of Tokyo, he set up architecture associations and journals, providing opportunities for students to engage in international exchanges.
Nurturing Talent Across Different Industries in Taiwan
During his 32-year teaching career, Dr. Ran-Chi Wu has fostered many prominent experts in the fields of architecture, architectural education, and culture, including Hsien-Te Lin, a master of green architecture; Shyh-Meng Huang, an educator in architectural and urban planning; and Chao-Ching Fu, a recipient of the 2019 Tainan Culture Award.
According to Fu, Dr. Ran-Chi Wu is recognized as an open-minded educator and a pioneer for the establishment of a research system and several architecture associations under tough circumstances several decades ago.
Aware of an urgent need to address a number of issues such as environmental crisis, fire safety, use of energy, and architectural regulations in Taiwan, Dr. Ran-Chi Wu strongly recommended Dr. Hsien-Te Lin, also an alumnus specializing in green architecture, to be appointed by NCKU to its faculty. With Lin’s expertise, NCKU has been able to promote the establishment of green buildings and related regulations in Taiwan.
Educating Students on Contribution to Their Own Country
Dr. Wu was born in Tokyo with his Japanese mother. Soon after he returned to Taiwan at the age of 10, he followed his father, then a field surgeon, to travel around between Fuzhou, Shanghai, and Nantong. When asked why he chose to return to Taiwan after graduation from the University of Tokyo, he simply said: “Taiwan needs me.”
“I always feel that life will prosper in the place where it takes root.” Dr. Wu urges young people to stay motivated and be willing to contribute to the country where they grew up. He also stresses the importance of a college education as a university is the platform that creates the vision for the whole nation. What do we want in the society? What kind of talent do we need most? Now is the time for us to nurture young talent and create a better society.
Dr. Ran-Chi Wu once remarked that “a young person must be like a razor that has destructive power. A middle-aged man is like a hatchet that is not so sharp and capable of cutting. When one grows old, it would be better to serve as a lubricant that helps the young people grow.” He also encourages the youth to be a seed that bears fruit and creates breakthroughs to the world. (Photo courtesy of CommonWealth Magazine)
NCKUer ｜
Class ｜
Honors and Achievements ｜
Ran-Chi Wu
Department of Architecture, Class of 1957
・Served as Head of the Dept. of Architecture (and Director of the Graduate Institute) between 1972 and 1974; 1982 and 1984.
・Founded the Ran-Chi Wu Architecture and Education Foundation in 1995 with an aim of improving the quality of buildings and architectural education in Taiwan by inviting experts and professionals to give speeches from time to time.
・Received the 2000 Architecture Research Award by the Architecture Institute of Taiwan.
Ran-Chi Wu / Department of Architecture, Class of 1957
・Served as Head of the Dept. of Architecture (and Director of the Graduate Institute) between 1972 and 1974; 1982 and 1984.
・Founded the Ran-Chi Wu Architecture and Education Foundation in 1995 with an aim of improving the quality of buildings and architectural education in Taiwan by inviting experts and professionals to give speeches from time to time.
・Received the 2000 Architecture Research Award by the Architecture Institute of Taiwan.
Department of Electrical Engineering, Class of 1956
Chung-Laung Liu
A member of the Academia Sinic
Department of Architecture Class 195
Pao-Teh Han
ounding curator of the National Museum of Natural Science
