The result of the MOE’s “Evaluation of Academic Affairs of University in 2004 School Year,” which is commissioned to off-office specialists for the first time, was announced on August 18, 2005. TKU is ranked as the No. 1 private university for her pre-eminent achievement in ten evaluation items in two categories, including four items in specialized fields (1. Liberal Arts, Fine Arts, and Physical Education; 2. Social Science and Education; 3. Natural Science; 4. Engineering) and six items in academic affairs (1. Teaching Resources; 2. Internationalization; 3. Continuing Education and Services; 4. Student Affairs; 5. Core Education; 6. Administration Resources). TKU faculty, students, students’ parents, and alumni are exhilarated by the news.
President C. I. Chang indicates that this great honor confirms the successive hard work of TKU presidents, administrators, faculty, and students. In addition to the recognition by MOE, according to the investigation of “The Favorite Colleges Employees of 1000 Enterprises” by Cheers Magazine, National Cheng Kong University is ranked No. 1, TKU as No. 8—but No. 1 again among private universities. President Chang adds that these recognition demonstrates that Globalization, Digitalization, and Futurization are sound and correct developmental policies. Ministry of Education has put great emphasis on globalization in this evaluation. However, TKU has been making great efforts in this aspect for more than two decades, and we begin to enjoy the harvest.
MOE has commissioned Taiwan Assessment and Evaluation Association to appraise the total achievement of every university. The universities are separated into five groups: 1. National 1 (comprehensive university), National 2 (newly established or transformed), Private 1 (specialized in Liberal Arts, Law, and Business), Private 2 (specialized in Natural Science, and Engineering), and Private 3 (newly established or transformed).
The result of the assessment is not rated with number, but is verbally indicated (such as excellence, better, weak).
TKU is grouped among Private 1 Division. Except the absence of items of Medical Science, and Agriculture Science in Specialized Fields category, TKU has got the highest honor in all of her ten assessment items. The other universities which are rated close to TKU include Tung Hai University (8 items), Soochow University (6 items), Fu Jen Catholic University (6 items). Among Private 2 Division, the noted universities include Feng Chia University (9 items), Yuan Ze University (8 items), Chung Yuan Christian University (6 items). Among National University divisions, National Taiwan University is rated No. 1 for her excellence in 10 among 12 assessed items.
According to Chen Te-hua, Director of the Department of Higher Education, during the assessment, the committee members had visited every university to hold forum with school faculty and students, and evaluated the school achievement openly and objectively. He also indicates that some traditional private universities are appraised no less positively than national universities, and Tamkang University performs especially well, which outshine some national universities. He points out that next year MOE will further assess the teaching in every department of the university, and the result will be assumed as part of the “walkout criteria” for a university. (~ Chi-szu Chen )
