Chen Wei-jao
Taiwanese surgeon and academic administrator
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chen Wei-jao (Chinese: 陳維昭; pinyin: Chén Wéizhāo; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tân Ûi-chiau; born 15 November 1939) is a Taiwanese surgeon and academic administrator.
Tohoku University (DMS)
Johns Hopkins University (MPH)
Chen Wei-jao | |
|---|---|
陳維昭 | |
| President of National Taiwan University | |
| In office 22 June 1993 – June 2005 | |
| Preceded by | Kuo Kuang-hsiung |
| Succeeded by | Lee Si-chen |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 November 1939 |
| Education | National Taiwan University (MD) Tohoku University (DMS) Johns Hopkins University (MPH) |
| Chinese name | |
| Traditional Chinese | 陳維昭 |
| Hanyu Pinyin | Chén Wéizhāo |
| Hokkien POJ | Tân Ûi-chiau |
| Tâi-lô | Tân Uî-tsiau |
Early life and education
Chen was born in Taichū Prefecture on 15 November 1939. He attended medical school at National Taiwan University, where he graduated with a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), then completed his residency at National Taiwan University Hospital. After being a lecturer at NTU, Chen earned his Doctor of Medical Science (D.M.S.) from Tohoku University in 1973 and earned a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) from Johns Hopkins University in 1989.[1][2]
Medical career
Chen was the lead surgeon in a groundbreaking September 1979 operation to separate conjoined twins. The twins were born with three legs between them and joined at the hip. The surgery was broadcast live on television.[3] It was also the fourth successful separation of conjoined twins ever performed.[4][5] Chen was named deputy director of the NTU Hospital in 1987 and became dean of the NTU college of medicine in 1991.[1]
National Taiwan University presidency and subsequent career
Chen was the first elected president of National Taiwan University,[2][6] and took office on 22 June 1993.[7] As university president, Chen issued formal apologies for NTU's role in White Terror political persecution, namely the 6 April incident of 1949 that led to the arrests of several student dissidents (in 2001),[8] and the 1974 National Taiwan University Philosophy Department incident, which resulted in the dismissal of several faculty members accused of communist leanings (in 2003).[9] Due to the 2003 SARS outbreak, Chen presided over NTU's first online commencement ceremony that year.[10] In May 2004, Chen announced that the Gallery of University History was to be established in the old university library.[11] He attended its dedication in June 2005 before stepping down as president.[12] The Ministry of Education named Lee Si-chen Chen's successor as university president in June 2005.[13] Chen was considered a candidate for vice president of the Republic of China in Ma Ying-jeou's 2008 presidential campaign.[14] The Kuomintang confirmed Ma and Vincent Siew as its ticket. Chen later led the Institute for Biotechnology and Medicine Industry.[15] Chen was convener of the presidential selection committee that named Kuan Chung-ming as NTU president in January 2018.[16] Despite alleged conflicts of interest between committee members and Kuan,[17] Chen supported Kuan selection on grounds of university autonomy,[18] and the Ministry of Education confirmed Kaun's appointment in December 2018.