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Taiwan Quick Take

Volunteers honored PHOTO COURTESY OF DIRK DIESTEL

■ INTERNET
Emoticon lovers compete
Symantec Corp, a global leader in Internet security software, is holding a global photo competition until Oct. 15 to find the best facial expressions imitating emoticons, the Internet representations of human emotions. Prizes include US$10,000 in cash, an event organizer said yesterday. The contest, called "the Norton 360 emoticon look-alike competition," invites Internet users to find photos of the best imitations of emoticons -- including anger, wink, smile, panic or tongue sticking out -- and to upload them to the Web site. Contestants will be eligible for US$10,000 or one of five prizes of US$1,000.

■ SOCIETY
Volunteers honored
The China American Petrochemical Corporation (CAPCO), David Dea, and Gray Gleason were honored by the Community Service Center on Saturday at a fundraising event for their community service. CAPCO was recognized for its staff members' work on wildlife preservation and for its considerable donations to various charities. Dea, a recipient of the individual award, was recognized for his efforts as a youth mentor for foreigners and for helping the center raise more than NT$12 million as an auctioneer over a period of six years. Gleason also received an individual award for his advocacy of international NGOs in Taipei and for serving on a radio show for migrant workers. Pictured, from left: David Dea, CAPCO representative T.F. Chao and "Tito" Gray Gleason.

■ EDUCATION
Academics meet in Europe
Young Europe-based Taiwanese academics in the humanities and social sciences convened their first annual assembly in Leuven, Belgium, on Saturday to promote academic exchanges, an event organizer said yesterday. The one-and-half day conference was organized by Taiwanese doctoral students at Leiden University in the Netherlands and sponsored by Taiwanese students at the University of Leuven to provide a platform for Taiwanese academics in Europe to present their work and increase cooperation between Taiwan and the EU, the organizer said. A number of young Taiwanese academics pursuing their doctoral degrees from universities in Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, France, Germany and Sweden participated. Examination Yuan President Yao Chia-wen (姚嘉文) attended on behalf of the government.

■ DIPLOMACY
Panama thanks Taiwan
Panamanian first lady Vivian Fernandez expressed gratitude on behalf of her husband, President Martin Torrijos, at a ceremony on Thursday for Taiwan's donations to her country and its assistance in building houses and schools and providing medical aid. Taiwanese Ambassador to Panama Hou Ping-fu (侯平福) said Taiwan built 30 bamboo houses last year in Panama's Ngobe Bugle area for indigenous people. The houses proved very popular, Hou said, adding that Taiwan would build 300 more this year and 300 next year. Some farmers have decided to grow bamboo to use as building materials, Hou said. Hou said Taiwan would also build 90 schools in villages.


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