■ PoliticsLu invites Lions to assembly
Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) invited the International Association of Lions Clubs yesterday to attend an international conference in June. Lu extended the invitation to the 2003 Democratic Pacific Assembly to Tae-Sup Lee, the South Korean first vice president of the International Association of Lions Clubs, Lu extended the invitation. The assembly will be held June 20 and Lu said she hopes Lee will use his influence to encourage Lions Clubs in the Pacific area to attend the event. Lu is the lead organizer of the event. Heads of state and legislature as well as leaders of business and non-governmental organizations have been invited to join the assembly, Lu said.
■ Environment
Study tracks dolphins
An investigation into the species of whales and dolphins and their locations in Kenting National Park has recorded for the first time the movement patterns of the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins that appear in the park's South Bay at regular intervals. Kenting National Park Headquarters officials said that every year between June and August, it is possible to stand on the park's Maopitou promontory and observe the dolphins with the naked eye. The dolphins are a favorite with aquariums around the world and used to be caught in great numbers to be trained to perform. This, coupled with the degradation of their habitats in sea areas near Taiwan, has contributed to a gradual decline in their numbers, demonstrating the need for preservation of the species. Kenting National Park Headquarters has commissioned a foundation to do a one-year research project on the number, movement patterns, locations and migratory routes of the mammals to serve as a reference for ecotourism.
■ Politics
DPP to hold meet with LDP
DPP Secretary-General Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) said yesterday that the party will sponsor a symposium with Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) this year to discuss political and economic issues. He made the announcement while attending the opening ceremony of a Japanese language class at the DPP's headquarters. Chang noted that he visited Japan last July to promote high-level exchanges of officials and added that bilateral substantive relations are close. He said the DPP held a symposium with the Japan Democratic Party last year and details for a similar one with the LDP this year are still under discussion.
■ Education
UK scholarships on offer
The British Trade and Cultural Office (BTCO) has announced the establishment of a new scholarship program expected to benefit up to 10 Taiwanese this year. The international technology scholarship scheme, entitled "BTCO Enterprise Fellowships," is aimed at enabling applicants to pursue one-year of study in the UK, BTCO said in press release. Taiwan is one of 10 countries targeted by the new scheme, which is financed by Trade Partner UK. The managing contractor for the scheme is the Center for Scientific Enterprises Ltd, a joint venture between London Business School and University College of London. Information on the scholarships can be obtained on the Internet (http://cselondon.com/ctes) and applicants should submit their documents to the BTCO by March 14.
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