General Information

Currently, the main goal of higher education in Taipei is to cultivate top-notch teachers and talents in the subjects of general art, science and physical education. At present, there are two institutions under this education category including the Taipei Municipal University of Education and Taipei Municipal Physical Education College. Hopefully, the two will combine to form the Taipei Municipal College Network and further consolidate and develop into a composite metropolitan college.

The Taipei Municipal University of Education was founded over a century ago. Prior to August 2005, the university’s mission is to cultivate elementary school teachers. In recent years, the university is transforming into a University for Art and Science Study that focuses on cultivation of teachers. At the end of 2006, the university operated with 3 colleges, 13 departments, 17 graduate classes (12 offered by the colleges and 5 by graduate schools), and 2 doctorate classes, recruiting a total of 4,082 students.

The mission of the Taipei Physical Education College is to cultivate superior athletes, coaches, sports art talents, sports business managers and social physical education workers. In 2006, the college was relocated to its new Tien-Mu campus and currently operates with 7 graduate schools and 7 departments with a total of 2,007 students. In 2007, the college plans to introduce one new doctorate and master class each and a new department.

Important Measures

1. Taipei Municipal University of Education underwent reform
   The university was formerly the first institution for higher education and cultivation of teachers in Taiwan. It was renamed in 2005 with major changes being made in organization structure and administrative framework. The School of Education, School of Humanities and Art and School of Science operate under the university. In line with the curriculum concept and system set forth in University Act, the university is reformed and now offers new degree courses and plans to introduce design courses in the near future.
   
   
2. Taipei Physical Education College improves excellence and standards in sports
   The College actively pursues the cultivation of outstanding athletes. It has nurtured numerous professional athletes who have won awards in global competition. Besides the exceptional performances delivered by Ms. Shih Hsin Chen, and Mr. Chien-Ming Wang, several candidates representing the college have also performed exceptionally, receiving gold medals in the 2005 East Asian Games and 2006 Doha Asian Games. The college also operates the only world-class laboratory for inspection of professional sport surfaces and workout facilities in the Asia Pacific, to ensure athlete safety.
   
   
3. Improve students’ language competency, actively promote international academic exchanges and sports and art performances
   Both schools are working towards improving students’ language competency to enhance their future competitive strength and broaden their international vision. The Taipei Municipal University of Education actively pursues international academic exchange programs, offering international courses under strategic alliances by using video- conference facilities and distance learning. To assist teachers to undertake further education or give lectures abroad, the university is in discussion with its sister school, the University of Glasgow to offer double degree courses and jointly organized the 2005 Taipei-Caen Exchange Cultural with Caen Province, France. The Taipei Physical Education College is dedicated to international development. Besides convening international symposiums, it also undertakes frequent exchange programs with its sister school, the University of Northern Colorado as well as art and sports exchanges with international groups. The College was invited on several occasions to perform overseas, which is in a way very beneficial to promote Taiwan’s international image and diplomacy.

Future Prospects

1. Refurbish old school buildings, construct a new campus and improve schools’ hardware and software facilities
   Existing buildings at the Da-Chi campus of Taipei Municipal University of Education has been fully demolished. From 2007, metropolitan upgrade, campus planning and construction of new campus buildings will be undertaken. The university plans to consolidate all existing software and hardware resources, make new acquisitions, upgrade existing facilities and improve library services. Upon relocating to the Tien-Mu campus, the Taipei Physical Education College will continue to build comprehensive sports facilities, recruit quality academic staff, and nurture outstanding athletes and professional sports instructors with the optimal goal of creating an environment for whole-person education.
   
   
2. Two schools plan to integrate resources and consolidate for further development
   Being an international city, it is ideal for Taipei City to set up a general education university to assist the municipal government in policy planning and implementation, meet civilians’ demand for lifelong education and expand the opportunities of exchange with world renowned cities. The more immediate goal of the Department is to inject resources to further enhance the two schools’ competitive strength, taking into account the schools’ overall and forward development. In the long term, we will work to consolidate the two schools into a composite metropolitan college.