Headline News
Taiwan aims for participation in ICAO Assembly
Taiwan is aiming for meaningful participation in the upcoming International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly to be held from September 25 - October 7. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan aspires to share the responsibility of safeguarding regional and global aviation.
By doing so, Taiwan can continue to safeguard the Taipei Flight Information Region (FIR) in accordance with ICAO standards and contribute to the development of regional and global aviation safety. Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) is the sole authority of the Taipei FIR, which handles large cargo and passenger volumes. The Taipei FIR is one of the busiest airspaces in East Asia and it is therefore essential for the CAA to regularly participate in the ICAO Assembly.
The Director General of the CAA already attended the Assembly in 2013 as a guest at the invitation of the ICAO Council President. Taiwan’s participation was then widely welcomed and deemed consistent with the ICAO’s goal of a seamless network for aviation safety.
Taiwan host to UNFCCC climate change forum
Taipei City hosted an international forum on the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on September 5. The forum, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA), promotes exchanges between Taiwan-based NGOs and their foreign counterparts on the role NGOs can play in the UNFCCC.
Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Javier Ching-shan Hou stated in his opening remarks that the forum echoes the spirit of President Tsai Ing-wen’s inaugural address when she stated that Taiwan will not be absent in the prevention of global warming and climate change.
He added that Taiwan aims to contribute meaningfully to the UNFCCC and that he hopes that the international community supports the bid for the EPA to be accepted as an observer in the mechanism.
Education
NTU achieves highest QS university ranking ever
National Taiwan University (NTU) achieved its highest rank on the QS World University Rankings since its inclusion, grabbing the 68th spot. The global university ranking is compiled by Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd., a global information provider on specialist higher education and careers information and solutions.
NTU has been doing well in recent years, moving up in the rankings for three consecutive years now. The ranking is based on four key pillars: research, teaching, employability and internationalization.
Other Taiwanese universities included in the top 400 are National Tsing Hua University (151st), National Chiao Tung University (174th) National Cheng Kung University (241st), National University of Science and Technology (243rd), National Yang Ming University (308th), National Taiwan Normal University (310th) and National Sun Yat-sen University (395th).
Society
Taiwan ranked as top expat destination
Taiwan was named the best place in the world to live in for and by expatriates, according to the 2016 InterNations Expat Insider Survey, the world’s largest network for people living abroad. Taiwan’s number one overall ranking stems from the quality and affordability of its health care and the enviable financial situation of expats living in the country.
The same survey also showed Taiwan scoring second place in the Working Abroad Index. Approximately 34 percent of expats in Taiwan are completely satisfied with their jobs, which is more than double the global standard of 16 percent.
The survey was taken by more than 14,000 respondents from 191 different countries. The questions asked revolved around issues such as ease of getting settled, family life, personal finances, quality of life and working abroad.
Ju Percussion Group to perform in Amsterdam
The Ju Percussion Group, the first percussion group founded in Taiwan by Taiwanese percussionist Ju Tzong-ching, will be performing in Muziekgebouw ‘t IJ in Amsterdam on September 30.
The concert will feature music from Taiwanese and Chinese composers, using a range of traditional, modern and unexpected percussion instruments. For more information please visit: muziekgebouw.nl/ju-percussion.
