National Tsing Hua University Explained

National Tsing Hua University
Native Name Lang:zh-hant
Image Upright:.7
Motto:自強不息 厚德載物[1]
Motto Lang:zh-hant
Mottoeng:Constantly strengthen and cultivate ourselves[2]
Endowment:NTD 35,335,636,295.00 (November 2022)
President:W. John Kao
Faculty:846
Undergrad:9,120
Postgrad:9,005
Campus:Suburban, 1.2km2
Free Label:Flower
Free:Redbud and Chinese plum blossom
Affiliations:Harvard-Yenching Institute,[3] AACSB, APRU, AEARU
University System of Taiwan
Tsinghua Big Five Alliance
Global research & industry alliance of MOST,[4] UAiTED, Alliance of Chinese and European Business Schools[5]
Former Name:Tsinghua College (Chinese: 清華學堂)
Module:
Child:yes
S:国立清华大学
T:國立清華大學
P:Guólì Qīnghuá Dàxué
W:Kuo-li Ch'ing-hua Ta-hsuëh
Tp:Guólì Cinghuá Dàsyué
Poj:Chheng-hôa Tāi-ha̍k
Order:st

National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) is a public research university in Hsinchu, Taiwan. It was first founded in Beijing. After the Chinese Civil War, president Mei Yiqi, and other major academics fled to Taiwan with the retreating Nationalist government. In 1956, they reinstalled National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan which has since remained independent and distinct from Tsinghua University in Beijing.

The university is part of a leading research and innovation cluster in Taiwan, along with nearby National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, National Space Organization, National Health Research Institutes, Industrial Technology Research Institute, National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, National Center for High-Performance Computing, Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institute, and Industrial Technology Research Institute. The research cluster and its neighboring Hsinchu Science Park together play a key role in the global semiconductor industry.

Today, there are 12 colleges or schools, 26 departments and 31 graduate institutes affiliated to NTHU. The college of Nuclear Science of NTHU is the sole educational and research institution focusing on the peaceful applications of nuclear power in Taiwan.[6] NTHU is affiliated with National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, National Central University and National Chengchi University as part of the University System of Taiwan (UST).[7]

NTHU has educated a wide range of notable alumni, including Nobel Prize laureates Chen Ning Yang, Tsung-Dao Lee, and Yuan Tseh Lee.

Overview

In 1955, the President of Tsinghua University in Beijing, Mei Yi-chi left and re-established the National Tsing Hua Institute of Nuclear Technology in Hsinchu city, and later based on the foundation of the original institute, National Tsing Hua University was founded in Taiwan.

The two Tsinghua universities both claim to be successors of the original Tsinghua University. As a result of this dispute, the universities claimed to be the rightful recipient of the funds from the Boxer Rebellion indemnity that was used to start Tsinghua University. This indemnity was transferred to the university in Taiwan after the Nationalist government (Kuomintang) retreated to Taiwan.

Today, both Tsinghua universities have deep mutual cooperation, including an establishment of Tsinghua Strait Research Institute, dual degree program, MOOC program, and academic exchange program.

History

After American Secretary of State John Hay suggested that US$30 million Boxer Rebellion indemnity money paid to the United States was excessive, in 1909, President Roosevelt and the U.S. Congress agreed to reduce the Qing Dynasty's indemnity payments by US$10.8 million, on the condition that the funding be used as scholarships for Chinese students to study in the United States. Using this fund, Tsinghua College (Qīnghuá Xuétáng) was established in Beijing, China, on 22 April 1911 on the site of a former royal garden belonging to a prince.[8] It was initially a preparatory school for students sent by the government to study in the United States. The faculty members for the sciences were recruited by the YMCA from the United States and its graduates transferred directly to American schools as juniors upon graduation. In 1925, the school established its College Department and started its research institute on Chinese Study.

In 1928, the authority officially changed its name to National Tsing Hua University (NTHU). During the Second World War in 1937, Tsinghua University, Peking University, and Nankai University merged to form Changsha Temporary University in Changsha, and later National Southwestern Associated University in Kunming. After the war, Tsinghua moved back to Beijing and resumed its operation there.

During the Sino-Japanese War, the library lost 200,000 volumes, out of a total of 350,000.[9]

In 1956, National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) was reinstalled on its current campus in Hsinchu, Taiwan. Since its reinstallation, NTHU has developed from an institute focusing on Nuclear Science and Technology to that of a comprehensive research university offering degrees programs ranging from baccalaureate to doctorate in science, technology, engineering, humanities and social sciences, as well as management. NTHU has been consistently ranked as one of the premier universities in Taiwan and is widely recognized as the best incubator for future leaders in industries as well as academics. Such stellar records are particularly exemplified by the outstanding achievements of alumni, including two Nobel laureates in physics (Dr. Chen-Ning Yang and Tsung-Dao Lee), one Nobel laureate in chemistry (Dr. Yuan-Tseh Lee) and one Wolf Prize winner in mathematics (Dr. Shiing-Shen Chern).

In recent decades, the National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan has had increasingly close ties with the Tsinghua University in People's Republic of China (China). Of all universities on Taiwan, the NTHU has arguably one of the strongest cooperations with universities in mainland China in academic research, projects, and with the creation of programs such as the "Center for Contemporary China".[10]

The first astronomical satellite by Taiwan's space agency (TASA) is developed by NTHU and Academia Sinica. It is called The Gamma-ray Transients Monitor and is a cubesat with the goal of tracking Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs) and other bright gamma-ray transients with energies ranging from 50 keV to 2 MeV. It will be deployed to orbit by Falcon 9 in Q4 2026.[11]

Tradition

Meichu Tournament

See main article: Mei-Chu Tournament. The Mei-Chu Tournament, held in March annually, is a sport competition between National Tsing Hua University and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. Since its establishment in 1969, the tournament, also known as the Mei-Chu Games, has become a tradition, and is considered one of the most important activities between these two prestigious universities in Taiwan.

The history of the Meichu Games goes back to the 1960s. After the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, National Tsing Hua University and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University were both relocated in Hsinchu, Taiwan and became neighbors. The geographic and academic closeness prompted many intellectual and social exchanges between two universities.

In 1966, an informal tournament was held. The arrangement of the formal event, however, was not institutionalized until 1968, when Chian Feng, an executive officer of NTHU student activity center, received the permission from the university authority to plan sport events for NTHU and NCTU students modeling after the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race.

While both side agreed on the plan to hold such an annual event, there was a disagreement on the naming of the Games. At last, Zhang Zhi-yi solved this problem by proposing the conventional coin tossing. "If the head-side is up, the game would be called Mei-Chu; otherwise, the game would be called Chu-Mei." As the head-side of the coin went up, the tournament was thereby named Meichu to commemorate the two founding presidents of NTHU and NCTU, Mei Yi-chi and Ling Chu-Ming.

Rankings

Arwu W:401–500
Arwu W Year:2023
Arwu W Ref:[12]
Qs W:233
Qs W Year:2024
Qs W Ref:[13]
The W:401–500
The W Year:2024
The W Ref:[14]
Qs Asia:38
Qs Asia Year:2023
Qs Asia Ref:[15]
The Asia:95
The Asia Year:2022
The Asia Ref:[16]
Usnwr W:394
Usnwr W Year:2023
Usnwr W Ref:[17]

NTHU is generally considered to be one of the best universities in Taiwan.

In 2021, Times Higher Education[18] ranked National Tsing Hua University 351-400th in the world. The 2021 QS World University Rankings[19] ranked National Tsing Hua University 168th overall. In 2021, U.S. News & World Report ranked National Tsing Hua University 363rd in the world.[20] In 2020, Academic Ranking of World Universities ranked National Tsing Hua University 401-500th.[21]

In 2014, the representative of Japan in Taiwan listed NTHU as one of the seven well-known Taiwanese universities.[22]

The 2020 QS World University Rankings by Subject ranked the university: 84th in Engineering & Technology, 266th in Arts & Humanities, 401-500th in Life Sciences & Medicine, 101st in Natural Sciences, and 249th in Social Sciences & Management[23]

Academics

International programs

NTHU participates in the Bioinformatics Program of the Taiwan International Graduate Program of Academia Sinica, Taiwan's most preeminent academic research institution.

Campus life

Student clubs

There are more than one hundred student clubs serving diverse interests. Club activities range from community services, music and sports, cinema and theater, dancing and martial arts, religion and philosophy as well as scientific and academic interests.

Housing

There are eighteen dormitories on campus accommodating about 5000 students. Freshman, sophomore and most of the graduate students are allowed to lodge at dorms without drawing lots. The majority of NTHU faculty members are also living on campus.

Scholarships, fellowships, and financial aid

Scholarships and fellowships are awarded on a meritorious basis. Annually more than six hundred undergraduates and one hundred graduate students receive such supports. In addition, around four thousand graduate students are supported with teaching or research assistantships from academic units. For students with financial difficulties, the university provides student loans and emergency funds.

Health care and counseling services

A University Clinic,[26] affiliated with Hsinchu Mackay Memorial Hospital, is located on campus where first aid and general medical services are provided.

The NTHU offers counseling service[27] to students, faculty and staff members at the University Counseling Center. The clinic and the center not only provide services when needed and organize and present educational programs for all students.

Presidents

Notable alumni and faculty

Humanities and Social Sciences

well-known scholar, thinker, statesman, known as "the proud professor of speech"

Guoxue Master, known as "the founder of modern Chinese academic," "New History of Kaishanzushi"

linguist, historian

linguist

prose writer

archaeologist

philosopher and historian of Chinese philosophy

social scientist, academic, and author

Physical Science & Engineering

physicist, the former president of Academia Sinica, the Republic of China (Taiwan)

mathematician and educator

CAS academician, Tsinghua University, Beijing, Xiamen University, a professor of chemistry

mathematician, Academician of Academia Sinica

winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics, Academia Sinica academician

winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics, Academia Sinica academician

winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Academician of Academia Sinica, the former president of Academia Sinica, the Republic of China

Harvard University Professor of Computer Science, National Academy of Engineering USA

Academia Sinica, director of the Institute of Earth Sciences, Academia Sinica academicians

President of City University of Hong Kong, former Bell Labs expert, Academician of Academia Sinica,

President, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, China

former president of NTHU, Taiwan

co-founder of the U.S. biotech company Tanox, chairman, president

mathematician and physicist, Professor of Northeastern University

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: http://archives.lib.nthu.edu.tw/history/about/3-01/3-01-01.htm . zh:校訓 . National Tsing Hua University . June 24, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140717092106/http://archives.lib.nthu.edu.tw/history/about/3-01/3-01-01.htm . July 17, 2014 .
  2. Web site: Message from the President . National Tsing Hua University . June 24, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080410185657/http://www.nthu.edu.tw/english/intro/index.php . April 10, 2008 .
  3. Web site: Harvard-Yenching Institute Partner Institutions in Asia - Harvard-Yenching Institute. harvard-yenching.org.
  4. Web site: 科技部公布「國際產學聯盟」通過名單 鏈結國際 麻省理工學院、柏克萊大學來台交流-科技部. www.most.gov.tw.
  5. Web site: ACE - EFMD Global. 28 May 2019.
  6. Web site: College of Nuclear Science - National Tsing Hua University. nthu-en.web.nthu.edu.tw.
  7. Web site: UST . 2023-12-05 . www.ust.edu.tw.
  8. Book: University autonomy, the state, and social change in China. Su-Yan Pan. Hong Kong University Press. 2009. 68. 978-962-209-936-4.
  9. http://www.unesco.org/webworld/mdm/administ/pdf/LOSTMEMO.PDF LOST MEMORY - LIBRARIES AND ARCHIVES DESTROYED IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
  10. Web site: Official website for National Tsing Hua University's "Center for Contemporary China". 2008-09-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20080930105433/http://cfcc.nthu.edu.tw/cfcc/. 2008-09-30. dead.
  11. Chang . Hsiang-Kuang . Lin . Chi-Hsun . Tsao . Che-Chih . Chu . Che-Yen . Yang . Shun-Chia . Huang . Chien-You . Wang . Chao-Hsi . Su . Tze-Hsiang . Chung . Yun-Hsin . Chang . Yung-Wei . Gong . Zi-Jun . Hsiang . Jr-Yue . Lai . Keng-Li . Lin . Tsu-Hsuan . Lu . Chia-Yu . 2022-01-15 . The Gamma-ray Transients Monitor (GTM) on board Formosat-8B and its GRB detection efficiency . Advances in Space Research . 69 . 2 . 1249–1255 . 10.1016/j.asr.2021.10.044 . 0273-1177. free .
  12. Web site: Academic Ranking of World Universities: National Tsing Hua University.
  13. Web site: QS World University Rankings: National Tsing Hua University. 1 February 2024. Top Universities.
  14. Web site: World University Rankings: National Tsing Hua University . 3 March 2024. Times Higher Education (THE).
  15. Web site: QS University Rankings: Asia 2021. 5 November 2015. Top Universities.
  16. Web site: Asia University Rankings. May 28, 2020. Times Higher Education (THE).
  17. Web site: U.S. News Best Global Universities: National Tsing Hua University.
  18. Web site: 25 August 2020 . Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021 .
  19. Web site: QS World University Rankings: Top Global Universities . Top Universities.
  20. Web site: 2021 Best Global Universities Rankings .
  21. Web site: ARWU World University Rankings 2020 .
  22. 交流, No.879, p.6. A total of 5 public universities and 2 private universities were selected: NTU, NCKU, NTHU, NYCU, NCCU, Fu Jen Catholic and Soochow University.
  23. Web site: Nationaltsinghuauniversity Top Universities . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100521085154/http://www.topuniversities.com/university/443/nationaltsinghuauniversity . 2010-05-21 . www.topuniversities.com.
  24. Web site: The Texas A&M University System and the University Academic Alliance in Taiwan Sign Collaborative Agreement – TAMUS System News . 2023-12-05 . news.tamus.edu.
  25. Web site: British Council in Taiwan . 2023-11-22 . The British Council and the Ministry of Education in Taiwan establish the first ever Taiwan-UK University Consortium .
  26. Web site: 清華大學衛生保健組 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090703214716/http://140.114.42.17/www/page1_1-E.html . 2009-07-03 . 2008-10-11.
  27. Web site: 國立清華大學諮商中心 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081007065925/http://counsel4.mac.nthu.edu.tw/ . 2008-10-07 . 2008-10-11.