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Taiwan quick take

■Health
Be vigilant against SARS
President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said yesterday he is pleased to see the World Trade Organization (WHO) lift its travel warning against Taiwan over SARS concerns. Nevertheless, Chen reminded the public that continued vigilance is needed to avoid a resurgence of the potentially deadly disease. "We should not be complacent at this time. We should not let down our guard. We should continue precautions to have our nation moved from the WHO's list of areas with local SARS transmissions as early as possible," Chen said.

■ Science
Taiwan's design wins silver
A delegation of theater technicians from Taiwan won a silver medal at the 10th International Exhibition of Stenography and Theater Architecture that took place in the Czech Republic capital of Prague from June 7 to 11. Czech President Vaclav Klaus and Minister of Culture Pavel Dostal attended the opening ceremony of the event, one of the most prestigious international exhibits of theater design. Dostal also visited the Taiwan Pavilion and gave a thumbs up to the design submitted by the Taiwanese artists. Organized by the Czech Theater Institute with the support of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the exhibition has been held every four years for more than 30 years.

■ Travel
UK lifts Taiwan advisory
Britain has removed a travel advisory to Taiwan following the World Health Organization (WHO) decision to lift its advisory. A notice of the lifting has been posted on the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office Web site reads. The British Trade and Cultural Office (BTCO) in Taipei has advised British citizens in Taiwan to continue to avoid visiting hospitals, where the vast majority of SARS infections in this country have occurred. The office also said that it was "business as usual" for visitors to the UK from Taiwan.

■ Education
Nursing schools worried
The Department of Technological and Vocational Education is considering allowing colleges of nursing to hold a second student enrollment in September, should the number of registrants fail to meet the target, a Ministry of Education official said yesterday. The official said that since the outbreak of SARS, many medical personnel, especially nurses in particular, have become victims of the disease. The official said that presidents of several junior colleges of nursing have expressed their anxieties that the epidemic may have discouraged youngsters from a nursing career, thus causing a decline of new registrants.

■ Education
Taiwan signs deal with LSE
Taiwan is to assist the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in strengthening its research on Taiwan-related subjects under a new five-year cooperative program. Representative to the UK Tien Hung-mao (田弘茂) signed the cooperative agreement with LSE president Tony Giddens on Tuesday on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Under the terms of the agreement, Taiwan will help the school establish a Chinese-language social sciences databank and the two sides will organize academic forums and scholar exchanges. Hundreds of Chinese books donated by Taiwan have been shipped to London.

Agencies
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