The Vatican officially supports only one university in any country, and in the Republic of China this is the Fu-Jen Catholic University located in suburban Taipei. In 1917, Mu Hsiang-po and Ying Lien-chih petitioned the Holy See for the creation of a Catholic university in China. They felt that although the Church was well established and ran many charitable institutions, but had established only two institutions of higher education in the country. The two men hoped that the creation of a new university would help promote education, introduce Western ideas, and propagate Catholic doctrine in China. The petition was favorably received, but the start of World War I delayed the actual establishment until 1925. At the time, the institution was known as the Fu-Jen Academy, and was located in Peking. In 1929, the academy consisted of three colleges-Arts and Letters, Natural Sciences, and Education- divided into 12 departments.

In 1937, after the occupation of Peking by Japan, universities were forced to either change, close down or move to another area. Because of the special nature of Fu-Jen, however, it was permitted to operate basically unchanged, and thus continued to work among young people in China. In 1944 the Japanese arrested many teachers and students for anti-Japanese activities. Among those from Fu-Jen were Ying Chien-li, Ching Hai, and Tung Shi-fan, all of whom were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, and were not released until after the war.

After the defeat of the Japanese, the Central Government, in recognition of Fu-Jen's wartime effort, granted official status to the university and its students. The university was also cited as the only school in occupied Peking to receive government orders.

Although Fu-Jen was able to co-exist with the Japanese, the Communists were another matter. The school's support of the Central Government and the Communists' anti-religious philosophy resulted in Fu-Jen's closure in 1950.

In 1956, alumni launched the idea of reopening the university in Taiwan, and in 1959 Pope John X XⅢ asked Cardinal Paul Yupin to begin working in this direction. By 1961, the graduate school of philosophy began accepting its first students. A 30-acre site was purchased in suburban Taipei in 1963, and construction began on the main campus.

The current superintendent of the university is Archbishop Lokuang, who believes that the school is run solely for the benefit of the students and that all administrative work must accommodate students' needs. Ever since he took up his post in 1978, he has set aside Wednesdays to have lunch with 12 students to promote an open exchange of ideas between the student body and the administration. Students can also knock on the Archbishop's door at any time, but he emphasizes he will not take anonymous letters into account.

"At this university, if you learn nothing else, you will learn to accept responsibility. Fu-Jen is a Catholic university, so we pay special attention to the character and development of our students. We are strict on students attending classes, and they must sign in for every class. A student's basic responsibility when he goes to school is to attend classes," he said. Fu-Jen hopes to turn out responsible, confident, and well-mannered young ladies and gentlemen.

When Fu-Jen was reestablished in Taiwan there was a debate on which department to set up first. Many thought that a start should be made with a graduate school of mathematics to fit in with scientific advances. Cardinal Yupin felt that "philosophy is the mother of science," but since this concept ran into opposition, he took the opportunity to discuss the matter with President Chiang Kai-shek. The late President advised him, "Start with the graduate school of philosophy. Philosophy in China has never been researched clearly, and if no one studies it now, what will China be like in the future? A people without philosophy is a people in name only. Who would respect us?" This, coupled with the added support of the then Minister of Education, Huang Chi-lu, settled the matter in favor of philosophy.

In 1969, the school offered the first doctoral program in the ROC, leading to a Ph.D. in philosophy. Since most professors live on campus, discussions are made easier. But because of the high standards, only nine doctorates have been awarded, and an average of only five masters degrees a year, over the past 14 years.

The graduate school of philosophy, stimulated by the Chinese "Renaissance" movement and the spirit of St. Thomas Aquinas, aims at harmonizing and developing essential thought in Eastern and Western cultures. And although it is established under the auspices of the Catholic church, Father Andrew Tsien, chairman of the department emphasizes, "Fu-Jen does not force students to be religious. When the Church operates a school in any country, its purpose is to help that nation develop its human resources. Therefore, we respect local customs and don't actively proselytize. In addition, we have no political motives."

It has been said that philosophy is Fu-Jen's mission, but that foreign languages are its main accomplishment. After the Ministry of Education gave its approval in 1980, the College of Foreign Languages was established, the first of its kind in the ROC. The college includes five departments: English, German, French, Spanish, and Oriental Languages (Japanese). There are four graduate schools: Linguistics, German, English, and Spanish.

Father Arnold Sprenger, dean of the college, emphasized, "In teaching Chinese students foreign languages, the most important thing is to allow them to know themselves and their society. We don't want them to become foreigners after studying a foreign language, so we must begin bearing their own personal needs in mind. If we don't teach life, what should we teach?" Father Sprenger also pointed out that many students fear, rather than respect, their teachers. They are often afraid to ask questions. This is obviously a handicap in learning a language, and so Fu-Jen's teachers try first to befriend their students to break down this barrier of fear.

On entering the college, the visitor can sense a different atmosphere. Foreign languages are spoken everywhere, and as soon as classes are over, students go to their professors' offices to chat. Father Sprenger, in fact, encourages his professors to talk with students after class. He feels another reason students hesitate to ask questions is that they lack a basic understanding of the subject involved. Therefore students and teachers must converse more. Once students feel comfortable speaking in a foreign tongue, they will naturally ask questions.

The department of home economics is the only one in the school which does not accept men. Home economics majors choose between three areas of concentration: early childhood education, food service administration and management, and general home economics (extension, household, and consumer service).

The department emphasizes a balance between theory and practice. Each area of specialization has its own "laboratory," and a pre-school has been set up for young students. Food service administration and management students work in the Fu Yuan Cafeteria which serves the dual functions of training center and student dining hall. For those taking home economics courses, there is a practice house where they learn first-hand how to run a home.

Fu-Jen Catholic University is one of the newest universities in Taiwan. But its reputation has grown rapidly, due in large part to the dedication of the priests, nuns, and lay persons who teach there. Through its specialization, this private institution meets an important need in the educational system in the Republic of China.

[Picture Caption]

1. The reception room of the women's dorm. Students are often found studying here between classes. 2. The campus' spiritual center-Immaculate Heart Chapel. 3. The stadium was named in honor of the late President Chiang Kai-shek and his wife; it can hold over 4,000 people. 4. The steps in front of the stadium are a great place to develop leg muscles. 5. The large number of foreign priests and nuns who teach at Fu-Jen is one of the school's special features. 6. A beautiful and quiet spot on campus.

1. Father Arnold Sprenger, Dean of the College of Foreign Languages remarked, "After eighteen years in China, I am already an old Chinaman." 2. The Home Economics Building. 3. When members of the West German parliament visited Taiwan they held individual discussion groups with students of the German department. 4. The student calligraphy club held a brush exhibition and sale. 5. The green and lush Fu-Jen campus. 6. Every Wednesday Archbishop Lokuang, superintendent of the university, hosts an informal lunch for twelve students.

1,6. A campus carnival. 2. A member of the Chinese music club playing the cheng 3. The Boy Scouts often practice setting up tents on the campus' broad lawns. 4. The beauty of simplicity. 5. Although clubs and other extracurricular activities are very popular, students are often found in the library. 7. Tomb of Cardinal Yupin.

1. The mural on the Women's Residence Hall reception room is based on the Chinese character for "woman". 2. The third and fourth floors of the College of Law Administration Building house the Library of Social Sciences. 3. Archbishop Lokuang came to the school's activities day athletic meet to root on the faculty team. 4. Fu-Jen students are broad-minded and outgoing. 5. The Men's Residence Hall of the College of Science and Engineering. 6. Fu-Jen is famous around the island for its clean, modern dormitories.

Top: The practice cafeteria is run by students. Here students are preparing a meal. Bottom: The Fu-Jen pre-school. Children are waiting for their post-nap snack.

The campus' spiritual center-Immaculate Heart Chapel.

The stadium was named in honor of the late President Chiang Kai-shek and his wife; it can hold over 4,000 people.

The steps in front of the stadium are a great place to develop leg muscles.

The large number of foreign priests and nuns who teach at Fu-Jen is one of the school's special features.

Father Arnold Sprenger, Dean of the College of Foreign Languages remarked, "After eighteen years in China, I am already an old Chinaman.".

The Home Economics Building.

When members of the West German parliament visited Taiwan they held individual discussion groups with students of the German department.

The student calligraphy club held a brush exhibition and sale.

The green and lush Fu-Jen campus.

Every Wednesday Archbishop Lokuang, superintendent of the university, hosts an informal lunch for twelve students.

A campus carnival.

A member of the Chinese music club playing the cheng.

The Boy Scouts often practice setting up tents on the campus' broad lawns.

The beauty of simplicity.

Although clubs and other extracurricular activities are very popular, students are often found in the library.

A campus carnival.

Tomb of Cardinal Yupin.

The mural on the Women's Residence Hall reception room is based on the Chinese character for woman.

The third and fourth floors of the College of Law Administration Building house the Library of Social Sciences.

Archbishop Lokuang came to the school's activities day athletic meet to root on the faculty team.

Fu-Jen students are broad-minded and outgoing.

The Men's Residence Hall of the College of Science and Engineering.

Fu-Jen is famous around the island for its clean, modern dormitories.

The practice cafeteria is run by students. Here students are preparing a meal.

The Fu-Jen pre-school. Children are waiting for their post-nap snack.