In the “High Quality English-Speaking Environment Award for the 2003 School Year” held by Research, Development, and Evaluation Commission, Executive Yuan (RDEC), TKU topped among the four winning universities, and will receive certificate, medal and NT$100,000 cash prize on Dec. 25, 2003 at the Taipei County Government.

The evaluation is separated into two stages: (1) documents appraisal (Oct. 12 to Oct. 31, 2003), and (2) on-site appraisal (Nov. 1 to Nov. 20, 2003). In the first stage, TKU was nominated among the 60 candidates. In the second stage, the nominees were reduced to 30. In the final grading, four universities were awarded with the Best Prize, including TKU, National Chengchi University, Chinese Cultural University, and National Taipei University of Technology. TKU was rated No. 1 among the four winning universities.

The evaluation committee consists of five members: Liu Kuang-ping, Director of Research and Design Committee, Ministry of Foreign Affair, Lin Fong-fu, Chief of Transportation Section, Ministry of Communications, Kathy Chang, General Manager, Chang& Associates Co., Ltd., Song Mei-hua, Agent of RDEC, Fang Chun-che, Taiwan News (Mr. Fang is an alumnus of Dept. of Mass Communication, TKU. The committee members were highly impressed by TKU’s bilingualization in the route directions, website resources, and service information. After they visited the European Union Documentation Center, Maritime Museum, and Office of International Exchanges and International Education, the committee interviewed and queried the exchange students about their adjustment to the environment and living trivia.

Chief Lin Fong-fu praised TKU for the English indications of the school buildings and routes in TKU were better than those of other universities. However he suggested TKU to add English notations to each booth of the Food Court and the map of Office of Academic Affairs. Fang Chun-che was pleased by the rapid progress of his alma mater. Director Liu Kuang-ping was impressed by the exhibition in the Maritime Museum, which he appraised as highly educational. The evaluating party’s interview with six exchange and foreign students was full of glee and joy.

Visit the “English Friendly Carnival” website [http://efft.ftv.com.tw] for further information about the activities.