Twenty-seven students from sixteen departments have been awarded the 2003 National Science Council research grants. One student receives a grant of NT$27,000; the other twenty-six receive a grant of NT$39,000 each.

The majority of grants are given to science and engineering projects. The recipients are all seniors: Chang Yi-chen, Chen Yi-horng, Wu Tze-wei (Information Engineering); Lin Li-wei, Lu Jun-yi (Chemical Engineering); Huang Mu-liang, Chen Jong-shan, Yeh Po-yi (Aerospace Engineering); Huang Kai-shiang, Chang Kai-fei, Chen Shi-shio (Electrical Engineering); Huang Yu-yuan, Wu Meng-ting (Chemistry); Chen Yu-jeng, Hsiao Yung-ho, Huang Ming-yen (Mechanical Engineering); Chen Jien-shen (Civil Engineering); Li Ji-shiang, Shi Yi-jun (Accounting); Liu Wen-chien (Banking and Finance); Lin Shiao-jin (English); Jou Ming-yen (Information and Communication); Chen Ming-ya (History); Chang Ya-kai (Industrial Economics); Yu Wan-jing (Statistics); Chen Yung-jen (Educational Technology); Chen Yi-huey (Transportation Management).

To foster excellence of research in science and humanities, the National Science Council encourages undergraduates to participate in research projects. The student wishing to apply for a grant is required to work under the supervision of a professor on a topic on which the professor is an expert. Recipients of this year’s grants started their projects in July and will submit their final reports in February next year. Sixty-two students applied for the research grant this year. Thirty-three applications from seventeen departments were successful last year.

Wu Tze-wei (Information Engineering) is delighted by the grant for her project “Platform of data gathering, sharing and exchange for fast learning”. She thanks her superviser, Professor Jung Shing-tai, for providing her with ideas, skills and directions in data management when her research runs into difficulty. She says: "I chose this project because data management is very important today as it helps fast learning."

Chen Ming-ya (History), who is working on “The ritual honoring Emperor Pao-sheng in Tamshui and Sanji”, points out that the unique ritual honoring Emperor Pao-sheng, an important local deity, is not well-known to the general public. She says: “My supervisor, Prof. Jou Tzung-shien, is an expert in this field and understands a lot about local customs. I’ve learned a great deal from him."