Taipei, Feb. 1 (CNA) Lin Chi-Hung assumed office as the president of National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) on Monday and promised a blueprint for the newly merged university on its inauguration day.
Lin, who earned a Ph.D. in biology from Yale University, took up the post after receiving a certificate of appointment in a ceremony presided over by Minister of Education Pan Wen-chung, along with several incoming presidents of other universities.
Plaque-unveiling ceremonies for NYCU, a merger between National Yang-Ming University in Taipei and National Chiao Tung University in Hsinchu, were held in Taipei and Hsinchu, respectively.
Describing the merger as a milestone in Taiwan's higher education, Lin expressed hope that students and faculty members of the two schools will support the newly formed university.
Lin said he plans to unveil a three-year blueprint within 100 days that envisions a consensus-based development project for NYCU over the next 10 years, focusing on improving the school's ranking in different aspects and its globalization by boosting cooperation with top peers worldwide and enhancing student exchange programs.
After 20 years of effort, the Executive Yuan and the Ministry of Education approved the merger plan of the two top-ranking universities in August 2020, which is composed of 1,400 professors and nearly 20,000 students scattered among nine campuses totaling 19 hectares.
In the initial stage, NYCU will have 19 colleges, six newly established research centers and a hospital, and will provide 14 daily shuttle bus services between Taipei and Hsinchu.
