NTU offers multiple neutral platforms and safe spaces where diverse political stakeholders can engage in candid discussions about pressing issues.
- I-Sian Lecture
NTU offers multiple neutral platforms and safe spaces where diverse political stakeholders can engage in candid discussions about pressing issues. One notable initiative is the I-Sian Lecture series organized by the College of Social Sciences since 2014. This series addresses contemporary social concerns and topics related to the nation's future development. Each session features renowned scholars, entrepreneurs, and government officials who discuss and debate various perspectives, drawing an average audience of 200 students. Topics in 2023 included energy transition, semiconductor supply chains, AI applications, demographic changes, and the global impact of inflation.
In May 2023, for example, the lecture hosted Professor Chi-Yuan Liang, a renowned energy economist, along with Deputy Executive Director Lin Tzu-Lun of the Energy and Carbon Reduction Office, as well as officials from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Taiwan Power Company. They engaged in a comprehensive discussion on Taiwan's energy supply and demand, including the contentious debate over the use of nuclear energy as a means to achieve energy transition and net-zero policies.
- Vanguard Summit Series
The Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities and Social Sciences hosts an annual "Vanguard Summit Series" to delve into pressing contemporary issues and national policies. Through single or multi-session forums, the series invites leading scholars to present their observations and reflections, fostering in-depth discussions and exchanges. The goal is to seek diverse perspectives and innovative insights on these issues.
In 2022, the series focused on "New Energy and Environmental Sustainability." Based on the development of new energy sources (such as hydrogen) and the innovative applications of old energy (such as nuclear power), the discussions explored how Taiwan could balance energy security with its 2050 net-zero goal.
The 2023 series shifted its attention to the societal impact of AI. The final forum of the series focused on foreign language learning, specifically debating the efficacy of the government's bilingual policy in enhancing Taiwan's globalization and competitiveness in the age of AI.
