Gongguan Campus of NTNU, home to College of Science
When speaking of NTNU campus, what first comes to mind are historic buildings located on Hoping East Road, the Main Campus. However, the Gongguan Campus, not far from Gongguan Station, is home to many students majoring in science. It is closer to NTU and NTUST with International Conference Hall, branch library, laboratories, and observatory.
National Taiwan Normal University opened its doors in 1922 during Japanese rule in Taiwan as Taihoku College. Many buildings build in this period were kept and in use until this day. In 1946, Taiwan Provincial College was founded with a mission to train middle-school teachers. 12 Departments were established at that time, including Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, Natural History. In 1955, the name was changed as Taiwan Provincial Normal University with the establishment of Education, Arts and Science Colleges. As the university expanded to 16 departments, the space of the original campus was not big enough. In mid 60s, Former President Sung Kang Ceng spoke to the government about the abandoned land about Gongguan area. In 1967, the motion was pass at the school assembly of the relocation of the College of Science to the Gongguan Campus. In 1971, Former President Chang Tsung Liang actively worked on the transformation of land and its construction, which was finally finished in 1973.
The College of Science was founded almost 60 years ago. Now the following departments consists of more than 3000 teachers and students, they are: the School of Life Science, Department of Mathematics, Department of Physics, Department of Chemistry, Department of Earth Sciences, Department of Computer Science & Information Engineering, Graduate Institute of Science Education, Graduate Institute of Environmental Education, Graduate Institute of Marine Environmental Science & Technology, Undergraduate Program of Nutrition Science, Graduate Program of Nutrition Science, Graduate Program of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries and Graduate Program of TIGP Biodiversity. In 1994, with the implementation of the Teacher Education Act, Taiwan became more diversified when it came to the training of future teachers. To fit in with the times, NTNU also changed its course of development to became a more comprehensive university. In addition to its existing teacher training programs and departments, the school added new departments in accordance with the needs of society and to help the school take the lead both in the development of higher education and in industry. After two decades of hard work, now the College of Science boost itself with solid fundamental science and extraordinary performance in many research fields. The College of Science is home to Five Academicians of the Academic Sinica.
The College of Science of NTNU is proud to be the best in the world in the ranking of science education. As the major wisdom tank of the Ministry of Education of the central government of Taiwan, the Science Education Center accommodates experienced researcher of science and of science education who give advice of planning and strategy for the Ministry of Education and carry out research. The Science Education Center is equipped with spacious room and modern facilities for all kind of academic activities. The College of Science spares no effort in the promotion of science education. For years, it undertakes the project given by the K-12 Education Administration about Science Education and Strengthening of Scientific Experiment Operation in Rural Areas. The program is to bridge the gap of learning resources and fulfills the university’s social responsibility. The use of English in teaching natural science was introduced lately and was recognized by teachers and students involved.
In recent years, the Faculty of Science has been committed to cross-field research and has strengthened cooperation with the industry. The teachers obtain a number of patents every year in medicine, drugs, cosmetics, food processing industry, agriculture, environmental protection, and information, education industry and daily objects. The College of Science is fully equipped with valuable instruments. With the support of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the school, it has successively purchased and updated instruments, including Bruker Avance III HD-600 MHz NMR, Bruker APEX II X-ray Single Crystal DiffractometerHigh, Resolution Mass Spectrometer, Bruker D8 X-ra y Powder Diffractometer, Molecular Imaging Core Laboratory, High Resolution Electrospray Mass Spectrometry, Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectrometer, Wacelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, Transient absorption Spectrometer, Magneto-optical Kerr Microscope and High Content Micro-Imaging Acquisition and Screening System.
Since last school year, NTNU has recruited young scholars as Yushan Youth Scholar in the College of Science. The Center of Astronomy and Gravitation, the first in higher education in Taiwan, was established in January of 2021, gathering researchers in earth science, physics, and mathematics talents. The center focuses on the research of black holes and related astronomical topics, bringing the visibility of Taiwan to international conferences.
In addition to the departments and laboratories, the Student’s Dorm 7, Honors College are all located at Gongguan Campus. A bus stop is at the entrance of the campus and there are shuttle bus that travels to different campus. Gongguanshopping district is only 10 minutes away on foot. What’s more, if the student wants to attend courses at NTU or NTUST, these universities are within reasonable distance.The first gender friendly dorm in Taiwan’s university is at the second floor of the Students’ Dorm 7. With the spirit of respecting all genders, the second-floor welcome students of different sex to live in the same floor with the goal to create a better and more inclusive dormitory.
There are Branch Library, Gymnasium, Auditorium, Constructed Wetland, Track and Field Ground, Tennis Court, Basketball Court and Volleyball Court on Gongguan Campus. Because of the space and the facilities, sports team and students of the Department of Athletic Performance usually practice here. The third floor of the gymnasium was just renovated as an all-purpose filed. The Honors College is the pilot of residential colleges planning in NTNU. Students at the Honors College reside together and study together and are encouraged to explore and develop team spirit.