National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) yesterday held a groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction of its Yue-han Hall (月涵堂) in Taipei, which is to be used by its Taipei School of Economics and Political Science (TSE).
Three former ministers of education, Wu Ching-ji (吳清基), Chiang Wei-ling (蔣偉寧) and Yeh Jiunn-rong (葉俊榮), as well as former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) and Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安), attended the ceremony.
Yue-han Hall has profound meaning to the university, NTHU president John Kao (高為元) said.
Photo: Fang Pin-chao, Taipei Times
As its front building has been designated a historic building, it would be preserved and repaired according to the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act (文化資產保存法), he said, adding that the rear structure would be demolished and replaced by a 12-story building with a three-level basement, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
Ko said that while Japan has the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management, the US has Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and Singapore has the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Taiwan lacks an academy for politicians.
Politicians need proper training and cannot rely on self-exploration, he said, adding that he is looking forward to TSE’s establishment.
TSE Foundation chairperson Huang Huang-hsiung (黃煌雄) said that three years and 10 months after signing a contract to establish the TSE, NTHU has fulfilled its commitment by converting Yue-han Hall into the TSE Building.
Former NTHU president Hocheng Hong (賀陳弘) said the TSE has the geographic advantage of being close to Hsinchu Science Park and is discussing talent cultivation projects for teachers and students with the London School of Economics and Political Science.
National Taiwan University (NTU) president Chen Wen-chang (陳文章) told the University Council that NTU’s new School of Economics and Political Science would begin enrolling students next year, with 15 students in each program.
NTU’s proposal to establish a School of Economics and Political Science was approved by the Ministry of Education, enabling it to launch a graduate program of economics and political science, and another program of finance.
There are many universities and research facilities around the world, including in the US, Europe and Japan, that want to cooperate with the School of Economics and Political Science, and they are discussing student exchanges and joint dual-degree mechanisms with the university, Chen said.
The Taipei Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Wanda-Zhonghe Line is 81.7 percent complete, with public opening targeted for the end of 2027, New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) said today. Surrounding roads are to be open to the public by the end of next year, Hou said during an inspection of construction progress. The 9.5km line, featuring nine underground stations and one depot, is expected to connect Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Station to Chukuang Station in New Taipei City’s Jhonghe District (中和). All 18 tunnels for the line are complete, while the main structures of the stations and depot are mostly finished, he
Taipei is to implement widespread road closures around Taipei 101 on Friday to make way for large crowds during the Double Ten National Day celebration, the Taipei Department of Transportation said. A four-minute fireworks display is to be launched from the skyscraper, along with a performance by 500 drones flying in formation above the nearby Nanshan A21 site, starting at 10pm. Vehicle restrictions would occur in phases, they said. From 5pm to 9pm, inner lanes of Songshou Road between Taipei City Hall and Taipei 101 are to be closed, with only the outer lanes remaining open. Between 9pm and 9:40pm, the section is
The first global hotel Keys Selection by the Michelin Guide includes four hotels in Taiwan, Michelin announced yesterday. All four received the “Michelin One Key,” indicating guests are to experience a “very special stay” at any of the locations as the establishments are “a true gem with personality. Service always goes the extra mile, and the hotel provides much more than others in its price range.” Of the four hotels, three are located in Taipei and one in Taichung. In Taipei, the One Key accolades were awarded to the Capella Taipei, Kimpton Da An Taipei and Mandarin Oriental Taipei. Capella Taipei was described by
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday hosted a reception to celebrate Double Ten National Day. Conservative Canadian lawmaker Marc Dalton called Taiwan a “beacon of courage and resilience in the face of rising authoritarianism,” according to a post on the Taiwan in Vancouver Facebook page. Also in attendance were fellow conservative caucus members Tako Van Popta and Chak Au, who said that Taiwan plays an “indispensable role” in ensuring global peace, prosperity and stability due to its strategic position in the Indo-Pacific region, it said. Canadian lawmaker Michael Cooper also recorded a message wishing Taiwan a
RSS