After two years of working on reconstruction projects in quake-stricken regions of central Taiwan, Minister without Portfolio Huang Jong-tsun (
In May 2000, Huang -- a psychology professor at National Taiwan University (NTU) and an active education reformist -- missed the post by a hair. Twenty months later, he has secured the position.
Although Huang did not initially secure the job he desired, his appointment as minister without portfolio had him in charge of post-earthquake reconstruction work.
"Huang's hard work in the quake-wrecked districts has won public recognition. For the two years [he spent on the job], his abilities as a coordinator and policy executor were fully displayed," said a longtime friend of Huang who has been working closely with him in Nantou for two years.
"In managing such a strenuous task, he [demonstrated he] knows how to strike a balance between ideals and reality, and how to make the best of limited resources under numerous legal constraints."
The friend, who declined to be identified, painted Huang as a low-profile and patient official.
"His mobile phone is made available to anyone, anytime. He will talk to anyone, irrespective of their background, and explain matters in detail with great patience," he said.
"Being patient is a must for education ministers. Fostering education reform is no less difficult than the demands of reconstruction work. Huang's patience will be very helpful in his new position."
In the opinions of many of Huang's friends, the scholar-turned-minister is shrewd, sincere and soft-spoken, but also brimming with determination.
"Huang is known for his mild attitude and firm standing. He never loses his temper when he disagrees with others. He will argue, but always in a gentle manner," recalled a presidential official. The official has known Huang since the "dang-wai" era, when democracy activists came together in the 1980s to fight against the KMT administration prior to the DPP's founding.
The official added that Huang's close connections with the DPP are another reason he was given the post.
Huang's friendly ties with many governmental officials will enable him to have better communication with other departments, the official added.
Huang also has additional cre-dentials as a psychologist.
The minister has attained a bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in psychology from NTU.
Huang has been a visiting scholar at Harvard University, Carnegie-Mellon University and the University of California in Los Angeles.
He was a professor at NTU for 17 years until May 2000, when he was invited to serve as minister without portfolio by the just-formed DPP government.
Huang's interests also extend to public affairs. He once committed himself to environmental and political issues and, for the past few years, has been a driving force behind educational reform.
From 1994 to 1996, Huang was a member of the Executive Yuan's education reform committee led by Academia Sinica President Lee Yuan-tseh (
Working closely with Lee for many years, Huang has won Lee's trust and has developed his understanding of the country's education issues.
From 1996 to 1999, Huang was the director of liberal arts and social science development at the National Science Council.
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