Xia Shuzhang, considered the founder of contemporary Chinese public administration and the father of the master’s of public administration (MPA) in China, died at the age of 105 on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua

Left: Xia during his high school years studying in Nanjing. Right: Xia’s photo when teaching at Sun Yat-sen University. In 1947, 28-year-old Xia began teaching at the university and established a program for the discipline of public administration. Photo: Office of Humanities and Social Sciences of Sun Yat-sen University

Xia gives a lecture in Hefei, East China’s Anhui province, in December 1984. Photo: Office of Humanities and Social Sciences of Sun Yat-sen University

Xia delivers a lecture in Nanjing, East China’s Jiangsu province, in May 1992. Photo: Office of Humanities and Social Sciences of Sun Yat-sen University

Xia enters with his scepter during the degree conferral ceremony at Sun Yat-sen University, where he was honorary dean of the School of Government. Photo: Sun Yat-sen University

Xia works in the college office at Sun Yat-sen University. Photo: Xinhua

105-year-old Xia reads a newspaper in his study. Photo: Office of Humanities and Social Sciences of Sun Yat-sen University

Xia gets interviewed at his home. Photo: Xinhua

In Xia’s home hangs a cartoon gifted by his friend, depicting him holding a book titled “Chinese Public Administration.” Photo: Xinhua