MOE names winners of Taiwan academic awards

2014-10-20

The recipients of the Academic and National Chair Professorship awards, both top honors in Taiwan’s research circles, were announced Oct. 16 by the Ministry of Education.

“We are proud to honor the achievements of these individuals and their hard work,” a MOE official said. “They have delivered excellent research results recognized at home and abroad.”

Twelve finalists culled from an 83-strong field received Academic Awards. They include Academia Sinica ethnology researcher Hu Tai-li, National Cheng Kung University aeronautics professor Hwu Chyan-bin and National Taiwan University chemistry professor Lin King-chuen.

Eight winners selected from 32 finalists earned National Chair Professorship Awards. They include NTU math professor Chen Jung-kai, National Tsing Hua University chemistry professor Reuben Hu and National Sun Yat-sen University optoelectronic science professor Jacob Huang.

A noteworthy winner is Hu Tai-li, who spent 30 years conducting research in anthropology and ethnology by shooting documentaries on her subjects. Hu’s 1997 film “Passing Through My Mother-in-Law’s Village” was a box-office hit across Taiwan for its vivid portrayal of the impact of urban development on rural communities.

Reuben Hu, a world-renowned expert on anti-viral drugs, is another standout scholar. In addition to teaching at NTHU, Hu serves on editorial boards at leading journals such as Journal of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and World Journal of Virology.

Winners of the Academic Awards, which span five categories, each receive a certificate and prize money of NT$600,000 (US$20,000). Recipients of the National Chair Professorship Awards, comprising four categories, are given an annual grant of NT$1 million for three years by the MOE.

Both awards will be presented at a special year-end ceremony in Taipei City.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=222981&CtNode=413)