Tunghai University

Before Chinese communist revolution, thirteen Christian colleges/universities were established in China by western Protestant Church. These institutes included St. John’s University of Shanghai, one of the first China’s universities. After the revolution, the relation with Chinese “new” government became harder and harder. Eventually, all 13 schools were forced to close after 1949. In order to continue the Christian higher education, and train next generation of Chinese Christians, the United Board for Christian Colleges in China decided to establish another university in Taiwan. After next three year of visit and extensive planning, the Tunghai (東海) University was established on hill side of Ta-du (大度) Mountain at Taichung City. In 1955, first class of 200 students major in seven different fields of the College of Arts and Sciences were admitted to this young university. By 1963, it had grown into the size of 850 students and 12 major fields. This growth continues until today. Tunghai University now has more than 17,000 students, 34 departments, 7 colleges and at least 13 doctoral programs and 31 master graduate programs.   

Designed by I. M. Pei, The original design of the Tungahi campus evolving around the Luce Memorial Chapel. The basic structure of the chapel is composed of two pairs of gigantic concrete slabs, representing Helping hands of God reaching out to the praying hands of men. In between them is the cross. If you look at the satellite photo, these two pairs of hands form another cross right in the middle of the campus, representing the original funding spirit of Tunghai.

Study Labor Program: This is a very unique program. Ever since the beginning of the university, Tunghai maintains an unique tradition. That is the Student Labor Education Program. This program may sound strange, but it does provide students an opportunity to serve the campus and community. Every first year student is required to take one year of this “course” and participates in service work such as ground maintenance or janitorial work. Based on the performance, students may choose to continue their service at the 2^nd year as supervisors with compensation.

Chaplain’s Office/ University Ministries: Similar to North Park, Tunghai also have very vibrant religious activities. Directed by Chaplain’s Office Campus Fellowship actively supports students’ spiritual life and engages broader student population. In the past few decades, this fellowship have reached out to many nonbeliever students and cultivated many successful servants of God. In an era that Taiwan’s Christian population was merely 1~2%, this ministry stood on a significant position of the nation’s Christian history. And now the Christian population in Taiwan has grown to near 10% (or over 10 %, based on some statistics). It’s contribution is specifically noticeable.

Tentative visit date: May 17, 2013

Address: NO. 181, SECTION 3, TAICHUNG PORT ROAD, TAICHUNG CITY 40704, TAIWAN

GPS: 24^O 10’ 43.97” N; 120^O 36’ 1.69” E     Elevation: 594 ft.

"Taiwan Ecology and Culture Study Tour" is part of the "Ecology and Culture of Asia" course at North Park University. It is open to all North Parkers regardless registering for the course not