Dr. Ku was born on December 24, 1902 in Wushi, China. He studied at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was awarded SB in 1925, SM in 1926 and ScD in electrical engineering in 1928. His doctoral thesis deals with transient analysis in alternative-current machinery.
Dr. Ku is a renowned educator, scholar, and politician and an authority on analysis and control of linear and nonlinear systems; electric energy conversion, and transient circuit analysis. He was professor and head of the department of engineering, Zhejiang University (1929-30); dean, National Central University (1931-32); dean, electrical department, Tsing Hua University (1932-37); Director, Aeronaut Research Institute, China (1934-37); director, Electronics Research Institute, China (1935-37); vice-minister, Ministry of Education (1938-44); president, National Central University (1944-45); education commissioner, Shanghai Municipal Government (1945-47); president, National Chengchi University (1947-49); visiting professor, MIT (1950-52); visiting professor (1952-54), professor (1954-71); Emer professor of electric and Systems engineering (1972- ), University of Pennsylvania; head, Chinese Educational Mission to India (1943); chief Chinese delegation, International Technology Congress, Paris (1946); member, General Assembly, International Union of Theoretical & Applied Mechanics (1946-92). consultant, General Electric Co., New York (1951-55); consultant, Univac, (1952-53); consultant, Radio Corp. America (1959-60).
Dr. Ku received numerous honors including 28 honorary degrees: MA & LLD, University of Pennsylvania (1972); Gold Medal, Ministry of Education (1960); Lamme Medal, Institute of Electric & Electronic Engineering (1972); Gold Medal, Chinese Institute of Electric Engineering (1972); Gold Medal Pro Mundi Beneficio, Brazilian Academy of Humanities (1975); honorary adviser, Huazhong University of Science and Engineering; honorary professor, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University; honorary professor, Xian Jiao-Tong University; honorary professor, Southwestern Jiao-Tong University; honorary professor, Northern Jiao-Tong University; honorary professor, Northeast University of Science & Engineering; honorary professor, Northwest Telecommunication University; and honorary member, United Poets Laureate International. He is also a member of a number of societies, including Sigma Xi, Eta Kappa Nu, and Phi Tau Phi.