National Central University facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
National Central University

國立中央大學  (Chinese)
Former name	Sanjiang or Liangjiang Normal College (1902–1914) Nanking Higher Normal School (1915–1923) National Southeastern University (1921–1927) National Central University Graduate Institute of Geophysics (1962–1968) National Central University College of Science (1968–1979)
Motto	誠樸 (Pha̍k-fa-sṳ: shîn-phok; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: sêng-phok)
Motto in English	Sincerity and Simplicity
Type	Public
Established	1902; 123 years ago (1902)
President	Jing-Yang Jou
Academic staff	746 (full time)
Undergraduates	5,743
Postgraduates	6,037
Location	Zhongli, Taoyuan City, Taiwan 24°58′06″N 121°11′34″E / 24.96833°N 121.19278°E / 24.96833; 121.19278
Campus	Suburban
Affiliations	University System of Taiwan UAiTED
Website	www.ncu.edu.tw
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese	国立中央大学
Traditional Chinese	國立中央大學
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Guólì Zhōngyāng Dàxué Hakka Pha̍k-fa-sṳ Kwet-li̍p Chung-yong Thài-ho̍k Southern Min Hokkien POJ Kok-li̍p Tiong-iong Tāi-ha̍k

National Central University (NCU) is a public research university in Taiwan. This means it's a government-funded school where students and professors conduct important research. The university first opened in 1902 in the city of Nanjing, China.

After moving to Taiwan, it eventually settled in the city of Zhongli in 1962. Over the years, it grew into a large university with many different subjects to study. NCU was the first university in Taiwan to study industrial economics. It is also known for releasing a monthly report on how confident people are about the economy.

A Long and Interesting History

The university has a history that stretches back over 100 years and has changed its name several times.

Beginnings in Nanjing

It was first established in 1902 as Sanjiang Normal School in Nanjing, China. It was later known as Nanjing Higher Normal School and National Southeastern University.

A New Start in Taiwan

In 1949, the government of the Republic of China moved to Taiwan. The university was re-established in Taiwan in 1962. It started as a small school in Miaoli County focused on geophysics, the study of the Earth. The university's original campus in China is now part of Nanjing University.

In 1968, the school moved to its current home in Zhongli, Taoyuan City. It was renamed the National Central University College of Science. Finally, in 1979, it officially became National Central University again. Today, it is a major national university focused on research.

Where is NCU Located?

A view of the National Central University campus.

The main campus is in Taoyuan City, in the northern part of Taiwan. It is about a 45-minute drive from the capital city of Taipei. The campus is also close to the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, making it easy for students and professors from around the world to visit.

NCU also has a special observatory for studying the stars. The Lulin Observatory is located near Yushan National Park in the southern part of Taiwan, far away from city lights.

What Can You Study at NCU?

The main library at National Central University.

NCU is organized into eight different "colleges," which are like big departments that focus on certain subjects.

• College of Earth Science
• College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
• College of Engineering
• College of Hakka Studies (Hakka is a unique culture in Taiwan)
• College of Health Science and Technology
• College of Liberal Arts (subjects like history and literature)
• College of Science
• College of Management (business studies)

Each college has its own research centers. These centers work on exciting projects, like studying space, preventing natural disasters, and developing new medical technology. In total, the university has 19 departments for undergraduate students and many more for advanced studies.

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  The College of Hakka Studies building.

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  One of the buildings for the College of Science.

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  The building for the College of Earth Science.

Famous People from NCU

Many talented people have studied or taught at National Central University.

• Chien-Shiung Wu, a famous scientist who made important discoveries in particle physics.
• Peng Chi-ming, a meteorologist (weather expert) who became Taiwan's Minister of Environment.
• Hwawei Ko, a well-known educator and professor.
• Hu Shih, a famous thinker, professor, and diplomat for the Republic of China.
• Zhu Zhixian, a professor and psychologist who studied how children learn.

See also

In Spanish: Universidad Nacional Central para niños

• List of universities in Taiwan
  • List of schools in the Republic of China reopened in Taiwan