By Sabrina Lin, Wendy Lin and Timothy Huang
Campus Reporters

Students from six local universities will have a chance to finish their undergraduate and graduate education within five years, as these universities signed a contract with Temple University at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) this morning.

“Under this contract relationship, a student from any of the six partner universities will be able to earn herself or himself a bachelor’s degree from a local university and a master’s degree from Temple within five years,” said Dai Hai-lung (戴海龍), dean for Temple’s College of Science and Technology and also the mastermind of the contract relationship between Temple and six Taiwanese universities.

During the inauguration of the “dual bachelor’s/master’s degree” program this morning, NTNU President Gou Yih-shun (郭義雄) signed the contract on behalf of NTNU, National Cheng Kung University (國立成功大學), National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (國立台灣科技大學), Tunghai University (東海大學), National Sun Yat-sen University (國立中山大學) and Chung Yuan Christian University (中原大學).

“I would propose such a program because I figured out that most Taiwanese college students would have accomplished enough credits for a bachelor’s degree in their junior year.  So it would be a good idea for them to start their graduate education early at Temple,” Dai explained.

The Taiwanese dean for Temple’s College of Science and Technology said that the program will be launched since next semester.

This new alternative to study abroad was immediately echoed by students, while some felt upset.

“I think this is a fantastic opportunity,” said Jack Hsiao (蕭承典), a freshman of geography major.  “Studying abroad has always been a part of my future plan.  This program will definitely make it easier for me.”

Meanwhile, junior Ga Hsin-lu (葛新路) from health education major was not as delighted as Hsiao because he is a junior already.

“Oh, come on!  This should have been done earlier,” Ga said.  “But I am still happy for my fellow students who would be qualified for that.”

Temple University was established in Philadelphia in 1884 and, by the U.S. News' latest ranking information, Temple was ranked as one of the third tier (top 120) national universities.  For 2008 fall admissions, applicants must spend non-refundable US$35 application fee and the deadline for application materials will be April 1, 2008.  Average tuition fees for an undergraduate student will be approximately US$18,000 per semester.

The state-related public school offers 300 academic degree programs, including 125 bachelor’s programs, 113 master’s programs, 52 doctoral programs and eight first-professional degree programs in the fields of dentistry, law, medicine, pharmacy and podiatric medicine.

While establishing new contract relationship with six local universities, Temple said that more Taiwanese colleges or universities will be welcomed to join the same program in the future.