The TKU Department of Russian recently received authorization by the Russian Ministry of Education and Science to begin administering the Test of Russian as a Foreign Language (TORFL). In November this year, the Department of Russian signed a cooperative agreement with the Russian Language and Culture Institute of St. Petersburg State University. Then, on December 17 and 18 this year, it held the TKU 2011 1st Test of Russian as a Foreign Language, which attracted 50 people from around Taiwan. The Chairman of the Department of Russian, Dr. Chang Ching-guo, explained that participants in the first TKU TORFL event consisted of students from other departments, members of society and high school students who are learning Russian by themselves. Dr Chang added that in holding TORFL, Tamkang has helped to place the evaluation of Russian language in Taiwan on the global map, and standardized the process of Russian language testing for students hoping to go to Russia for study, work, or further language studies. He also emphasized the ever-increasing importance of foreign language certification in today’s society. “No matter how you go in the exam”, Dr. Chang explained, “You will learn and grow from the experience. It is a means of assessing the results of one’s study throughout the year. At the same time, the Department will work to ensure that students who pass the test receive scholarships and awards”.