Taipei, Nov. 15 (CNA) The United States is still the No.1 destination for Taiwanese students studying abroad, but it is facing an increasing challenge to recruit more Taiwanese students, U.S. officials and a group of Taiwanese professors said Wednesday.
According to Open Door 2006, an annual report on international academic mobility published by the Institute of International Education (IIE), 27,876 Taiwanese students are currently studying in the U.S., which is the highest number in four years and an eight percent increase from the previous year.
Although the U.S. education system is widely considered the best in the world, many countries such as Australia and the U.K. are challenging the U.S. in the "international students market, " noted Leung Yanwing, deputy director of the Center for International Academic Exchanges, National Taiwan University (NTU) in a digital videoconference organized by the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).
Officials from the U.S. State Department in Washington D.C. and university representatives in Boston and Taipei all discussed by videoconference the challenges of international exchanges in Taiwan.
"Taiwanese students are looking for a more diversified exchange program," Leung said, adding that today's students are more affluent than in the past and thus have more options available to them.
And many more students are choosing local graduate programs -- which have been rapidly increasing in number in recent years -- for the cheaper tuition, said Leung. In addition, it usually takes only one year in the U.K. to receive a master's degree.
"These factors probably explain why we have seen less NTU graduates pursuing master's degrees in the U.S.," Leung said.
However, the U.S. is still confident that the quality of its education and support system will win out because Taiwan is currently the sixth largest group among foreign students, said IIE deputy executive director Jack Bailey.
Dorothy Mora, senior program officer of the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, admitted that the U.S. is facing tougher challenges from other countries but noted it is "more of a global trend" in diversification.
A common misconception, she claimed, was that the U.S. has been rejecting more student visa applications after the 911 terrorist incident in 2001. In fact, the U.S. "market share" of international students, which was as high as 37 percent in 1995, has been consistently decreasing in the last decade, she said.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
COUNTDOWN BEGINS IN TAIPEI FOR LARGEST TV, FILM FESTIVAL IN ASIA
Taipei, Nov. 14 (CNA) Organizers and government officials officially launched Tuesday in Taipei the final 10-day countdown to the 2006 Taipei TV and Film Festival (TTF) , the largest TV and film festival in Asia.
The annual festival, which will be held Nov. 23-25, includes three major events -- the Taipei International TV, Film and Digital Contents Exhibition (TFCOM) , the Taipei International Digital TV, Broadcasting and Film Forum and the Taiwan Film and TV Project Promotion.
"In only its third year, the festival has surpassed three major TV festivals in China and established a leading position in Asia, " said Lai Kuo-chou, chairman and CEO of Taiwan Television Enterprise (TTV), the main organizer.
There will be more than 650 booths set up by 75 companies from 10 countries at the TFCOM, which will be held Nov. 23-25 at the Taipei World Trade Center, Lai said. The trade show includes an export-oriented B2B area and a premiere domestic show (B2C area).
The B2B area presents prospect-packed categories such as TV, film and digital content licensing, audiovisual products, publications, animation, post production and other A/V related equipment. Leading foreign companies such as FUJI, NHK, KBS, National Geographic and Discovery will participate in the show, as well as local companies such as TVBS, SETN and CTS.
Licensing deals signed this year are expected to surpass NT$157.5 million (US$4.5 million) , up from last year's US$3.5 million, according to Government Information Office (GIO) Minister Cheng Wen-tsang.
The International Digital TV, Broadcasting and Film Forum will take place Nov. 23, gathering together industry leaders, experts, researchers and government officials to share their creative ideas.
The international Film and TV Project Promotion, which encourages creative projects from all over the world, will be held Nov. 24-25. The winner of the best project will be awarded an NT$1 million incentive payment.
The festival has been integrated by the GIO with the Golden Horse Awards and the Golden Bell Awards, into the Taiwan International Film and TV Expo, which runs Nov. 8-25.
The annual festival, which will be held Nov. 23-25, includes three major events -- the Taipei International TV, Film and Digital Contents Exhibition (TFCOM) , the Taipei International Digital TV, Broadcasting and Film Forum and the Taiwan Film and TV Project Promotion.
"In only its third year, the festival has surpassed three major TV festivals in China and established a leading position in Asia, " said Lai Kuo-chou, chairman and CEO of Taiwan Television Enterprise (TTV), the main organizer.
There will be more than 650 booths set up by 75 companies from 10 countries at the TFCOM, which will be held Nov. 23-25 at the Taipei World Trade Center, Lai said. The trade show includes an export-oriented B2B area and a premiere domestic show (B2C area).
The B2B area presents prospect-packed categories such as TV, film and digital content licensing, audiovisual products, publications, animation, post production and other A/V related equipment. Leading foreign companies such as FUJI, NHK, KBS, National Geographic and Discovery will participate in the show, as well as local companies such as TVBS, SETN and CTS.
Licensing deals signed this year are expected to surpass NT$157.5 million (US$4.5 million) , up from last year's US$3.5 million, according to Government Information Office (GIO) Minister Cheng Wen-tsang.
The International Digital TV, Broadcasting and Film Forum will take place Nov. 23, gathering together industry leaders, experts, researchers and government officials to share their creative ideas.
The international Film and TV Project Promotion, which encourages creative projects from all over the world, will be held Nov. 24-25. The winner of the best project will be awarded an NT$1 million incentive payment.
The festival has been integrated by the GIO with the Golden Horse Awards and the Golden Bell Awards, into the Taiwan International Film and TV Expo, which runs Nov. 8-25.
EXPERTS SHARE EXPERIENCE IN POST-DISASTER RECOVERY AT INT'L WORKSHOP
Taipei, Nov. 14 (CNA) Post-disaster recovery has been a learning process for every country, so sharing experience in emergency preparedness is key, international experts said Tuesday in a workshop.
Countries throughout the world have made mitigation of natural disasters and maintaining social stability a top priority after a series of natural disasters in recent years, said Vice Premier Tsai Ing-wen at the opening ceremony of the International Workshop on Disaster Recovery and Rescue.
Taiwan has a lot to share -- as well as learn from the experience of other countries -- after its own experience of the 921 Chi-chi earthquake in 1999, when it began the process of building its own process for post-disaster recovery from scratch, Tsai added.
Experts from eight countries -- including Finland, France, Japan, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Italy, the U.S. and Taiwan -- will discuss post-disaster recovery experiences for several events -- the South Asia tsunami in 2004, Hurricane Katrina in the U.S. in 2005 and earthquakes in Taiwan, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Niigata-Chuetsu, Japan.
In a speech, former education minister Huang Jung-tsun, who now serves as president of China Medical University, made several observations concerning the post-921 earthquake recovery process.
After the disaster occurred, the government and disaster relief agency had to learn to make snap decisions in a situation of uncertainty, Huang said. Taiwan has learned other valuable lessons along the way.
Looking back, he said, a special budget with an emphasis on housing and better management of donations were needed. Also, policy should be improved for more effective emergency response efforts, he said.
Governments should also pay attention to post-disaster psychosocial assistance and services, said Veli-Pekka Ihamaki, who works for the Department for Rescue Services in Espoo District, Finland. Ihamaki added that today, new forms of media -- such as blogs, Web sites, online discussion forums, email, SMS texting -- should be integrated in the rescue and recovery system.
The two-day international workshop was co-organized by the National Disaster Prevention and Protection Commission and the National Rescue Command Center.
The philanthropic Tsu Chi Foundation, which has devoted itself to carrying out many rescue and recovery efforts after the 921 earthquake and South Asia tsunami, will also share its experience with global experts at the workshop.
Countries throughout the world have made mitigation of natural disasters and maintaining social stability a top priority after a series of natural disasters in recent years, said Vice Premier Tsai Ing-wen at the opening ceremony of the International Workshop on Disaster Recovery and Rescue.
Taiwan has a lot to share -- as well as learn from the experience of other countries -- after its own experience of the 921 Chi-chi earthquake in 1999, when it began the process of building its own process for post-disaster recovery from scratch, Tsai added.
Experts from eight countries -- including Finland, France, Japan, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Italy, the U.S. and Taiwan -- will discuss post-disaster recovery experiences for several events -- the South Asia tsunami in 2004, Hurricane Katrina in the U.S. in 2005 and earthquakes in Taiwan, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Niigata-Chuetsu, Japan.
In a speech, former education minister Huang Jung-tsun, who now serves as president of China Medical University, made several observations concerning the post-921 earthquake recovery process.
After the disaster occurred, the government and disaster relief agency had to learn to make snap decisions in a situation of uncertainty, Huang said. Taiwan has learned other valuable lessons along the way.
Looking back, he said, a special budget with an emphasis on housing and better management of donations were needed. Also, policy should be improved for more effective emergency response efforts, he said.
Governments should also pay attention to post-disaster psychosocial assistance and services, said Veli-Pekka Ihamaki, who works for the Department for Rescue Services in Espoo District, Finland. Ihamaki added that today, new forms of media -- such as blogs, Web sites, online discussion forums, email, SMS texting -- should be integrated in the rescue and recovery system.
The two-day international workshop was co-organized by the National Disaster Prevention and Protection Commission and the National Rescue Command Center.
The philanthropic Tsu Chi Foundation, which has devoted itself to carrying out many rescue and recovery efforts after the 921 earthquake and South Asia tsunami, will also share its experience with global experts at the workshop.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
SCHOOL BEST PLACE TO PROMOTE HEALTH: EXPERTS
Taipei, Nov. 13 (CNA) School is the best place to teach children the importance of healthy lifestyle habits, making the idea of "health-promoting schools" (HPS) a global trend right now, a group of health experts said Monday.
Health promotion at school is one of the most effective ways for children to learn about making the right choices, said Carmen Aldinger, project director of Health and Human Development Global Programs at the U.S. Education Development Center, during the opening ceremony of the first Asia-Pacific International Conference on HPS.
The concept of promoting public health has undergone dramatic changes since the World Health Organization's (WHO) declaration in Jakarta, Indonesia in 1997, said Hsiao Mei-ling, director of the Bureau of Health Promotion under the Department of Health (DOH).
The focus shifted from promoting personal health to a "setting approach," such as health-promoting activities in schools, offices and communities, Hsiao said.
Taiwan is doing well in this regard, she said, as the Ministry of Education began to push for the HPS program in 2001 and later began cooperating with the DOH. The number of health-promoting schools in Taiwan went from 48 in 2004 to 318 in 2005, then 516 in 2006.
The HPS program seeks to establish a network to share health education resources on issues such as school health policy, health services, personal health skills, the campus physical environment and building community relationships.
The conference is being held in Taipei Nov. 13- 16 with the objectives of presenting results from implementing the HPS model in Taiwan and sharing and exchanging experiences on developing HPS.
Local experts have been invited to participate in the 4-day symposium, as well as experts from the U.S., Japan, Australia and Singapore.
Health promotion at school is one of the most effective ways for children to learn about making the right choices, said Carmen Aldinger, project director of Health and Human Development Global Programs at the U.S. Education Development Center, during the opening ceremony of the first Asia-Pacific International Conference on HPS.
The concept of promoting public health has undergone dramatic changes since the World Health Organization's (WHO) declaration in Jakarta, Indonesia in 1997, said Hsiao Mei-ling, director of the Bureau of Health Promotion under the Department of Health (DOH).
The focus shifted from promoting personal health to a "setting approach," such as health-promoting activities in schools, offices and communities, Hsiao said.
Taiwan is doing well in this regard, she said, as the Ministry of Education began to push for the HPS program in 2001 and later began cooperating with the DOH. The number of health-promoting schools in Taiwan went from 48 in 2004 to 318 in 2005, then 516 in 2006.
The HPS program seeks to establish a network to share health education resources on issues such as school health policy, health services, personal health skills, the campus physical environment and building community relationships.
The conference is being held in Taipei Nov. 13- 16 with the objectives of presenting results from implementing the HPS model in Taiwan and sharing and exchanging experiences on developing HPS.
Local experts have been invited to participate in the 4-day symposium, as well as experts from the U.S., Japan, Australia and Singapore.
AIT TO SPONSOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK
Taipei, Nov. 13 (CNA) To promote international education and exchanges, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) is hosting an International Education Week Nov. 13-17 involving current U.S. Fulbright scholars and recent graduates of U.S. universities.
"AIT and EducationUSA Taiwan team are celebrating International Education Week with activities across Taiwan. Taiwan students clearly appreciate the importance of U.S. education to their careers," said AIT American Cultural Center director Nicholas Papp.
The number of Taiwanese students studying in the U.S. has increased in recent years after a down period in 2001. According to Ministry of Education statistics, 15,525 Taiwanese students received U.S. student visas in 2005 -- the highest number since 2000, and a 36 percent increase from the previous year.
Highlights of the event include a videoconference featuring Taiwan's deputy minister of Education Lu Mu-ling and U.S. Department of State Academic Specialist for East Asia Dorothy Mora, and student-centered programs focused on studying abroad in the U.S., said Papp.
In 2004-2005, Taiwan ranked sixth in the number of foreign students studying in the U.S., behind India, China, Japan, South Korea and Canada, statistics from the American International Education Foundation showed.
"AIT and EducationUSA Taiwan team are celebrating International Education Week with activities across Taiwan. Taiwan students clearly appreciate the importance of U.S. education to their careers," said AIT American Cultural Center director Nicholas Papp.
The number of Taiwanese students studying in the U.S. has increased in recent years after a down period in 2001. According to Ministry of Education statistics, 15,525 Taiwanese students received U.S. student visas in 2005 -- the highest number since 2000, and a 36 percent increase from the previous year.
Highlights of the event include a videoconference featuring Taiwan's deputy minister of Education Lu Mu-ling and U.S. Department of State Academic Specialist for East Asia Dorothy Mora, and student-centered programs focused on studying abroad in the U.S., said Papp.
In 2004-2005, Taiwan ranked sixth in the number of foreign students studying in the U.S., behind India, China, Japan, South Korea and Canada, statistics from the American International Education Foundation showed.
FOREIGNERS RECOUNT TAIWAN EXPERIENCES IN MANDARIN SPEECH CONTEST
Taipei, Nov. 11 (CNA) More than 50 foreigners currently studying Chinese in Taipei related stories about their life and experiences in Taiwan in a Mandarin speech contest that took place Saturday.
Twenty-nine South Koreans dominated the field of the annual speech contest for foreigners organized by a local Rotary Club, in which all contestants deliver a five-minute speech on a wide choice of topics, in either Mandarin or Taiwanese.
Most participants chose to speak about why they wanted to learn Chinese in Taiwan over other topics, such as the beautiful and ugly side of Taipei or an introduction of their best friends in Taiwan.
Diana Hsu, a second-generation Taiwanese from Los Angeles and one of the few contestants to speak in Taiwanese instead of Mandarin, said she had decided to study Chinese while in Spain.
"There was no one [in Spain] who thought I was an American because I looked so Asian," she said, adding that it was then that she knew it was time to "trace her roots."
"I came to Taiwan with the hope of becoming a Chinese translator back home someday," said Junawan Then, an Indonesian contestant.
"The friendliness and passion of Taiwanese people really helped me a lot in adjusting to a new environment and language," said Ignatius Edhi Khar, who is also from Indonesia.
Jovanovie Wiwana, who formerly worked for the Slovenian Embassy in China, said she enjoyed life and Chinese classes in Taiwan more, and would like to see more exchanges between Taiwan and her native Slovenia.
For those who have been in Taiwan for some time, they were able to do more than speak Chinese.
Kanaya Hiroshi, a Japanese who has lived in Taiwan more than three years, said he had learned from one of his Taiwanese classmates a deep appreciation for "Taike culture," -- a term usually used to describe the profound spirit and culture of Taiwan.
Participants from other countries included the United States, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Australia, Germany and Russia.
Twenty-nine South Koreans dominated the field of the annual speech contest for foreigners organized by a local Rotary Club, in which all contestants deliver a five-minute speech on a wide choice of topics, in either Mandarin or Taiwanese.
Most participants chose to speak about why they wanted to learn Chinese in Taiwan over other topics, such as the beautiful and ugly side of Taipei or an introduction of their best friends in Taiwan.
Diana Hsu, a second-generation Taiwanese from Los Angeles and one of the few contestants to speak in Taiwanese instead of Mandarin, said she had decided to study Chinese while in Spain.
"There was no one [in Spain] who thought I was an American because I looked so Asian," she said, adding that it was then that she knew it was time to "trace her roots."
"I came to Taiwan with the hope of becoming a Chinese translator back home someday," said Junawan Then, an Indonesian contestant.
"The friendliness and passion of Taiwanese people really helped me a lot in adjusting to a new environment and language," said Ignatius Edhi Khar, who is also from Indonesia.
Jovanovie Wiwana, who formerly worked for the Slovenian Embassy in China, said she enjoyed life and Chinese classes in Taiwan more, and would like to see more exchanges between Taiwan and her native Slovenia.
For those who have been in Taiwan for some time, they were able to do more than speak Chinese.
Kanaya Hiroshi, a Japanese who has lived in Taiwan more than three years, said he had learned from one of his Taiwanese classmates a deep appreciation for "Taike culture," -- a term usually used to describe the profound spirit and culture of Taiwan.
Participants from other countries included the United States, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Australia, Germany and Russia.
Friday, November 10, 2006
LOUISIANA SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN TIES WITH TAIWAN
Taipei, Nov. 9 (CNA) The U.S. state of Louisiana has enjoyed friendship with Taiwan for almost 20 years, but bilateral ties could be strengthened with more business partnerships, Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco said Thursday in Taipei.
"We're here to build friendships and partnerships, " Blanco said in an investment opportunity seminar that was a major part of her Nov. 7- 9 visit.
Blanco, who is leading a 10-member delegation, encouraged Taiwanese businessmen attending the seminar to invest in the "Gulf Opportunity Zone" (GO Zone) -- the area that was hard-hit by hurricanes Katrina and Rita and is now the target of a major rebuilding effort.
Louisiana established a trade office in Taiwan in 1989 and has attracted many Taiwanese investors since then, including Formosa Plastics Corporation.
Blanco expressed her gratitude toward the "outpouring of help" from Taiwan, referring to a US$2 million donation, as well as medical and school supplies, donated to Louisiana in the wake of the hurricanes.
Louisiana is in the midst of the largest recovery in the U.S. history, with an estimated US$50 billion to be invested there, Blanco told about 100 businessmen who attended the seminar.
With GO Zone offering federal and state tax incentives and help from state and local governments, the investment opportunities for Taiwan businesses are "unprecedented, " she said.
The state also plans to expand academic exchanges with Taiwan to make Louisiana the destination for more Taiwanese students wishing to study abroad, she added.
Taiwan is the last stop of a two-week economic mission to Asia, during which Blanco has also visited Japan, China and Hong Kong.
"We're here to build friendships and partnerships, " Blanco said in an investment opportunity seminar that was a major part of her Nov. 7- 9 visit.
Blanco, who is leading a 10-member delegation, encouraged Taiwanese businessmen attending the seminar to invest in the "Gulf Opportunity Zone" (GO Zone) -- the area that was hard-hit by hurricanes Katrina and Rita and is now the target of a major rebuilding effort.
Louisiana established a trade office in Taiwan in 1989 and has attracted many Taiwanese investors since then, including Formosa Plastics Corporation.
Blanco expressed her gratitude toward the "outpouring of help" from Taiwan, referring to a US$2 million donation, as well as medical and school supplies, donated to Louisiana in the wake of the hurricanes.
Louisiana is in the midst of the largest recovery in the U.S. history, with an estimated US$50 billion to be invested there, Blanco told about 100 businessmen who attended the seminar.
With GO Zone offering federal and state tax incentives and help from state and local governments, the investment opportunities for Taiwan businesses are "unprecedented, " she said.
The state also plans to expand academic exchanges with Taiwan to make Louisiana the destination for more Taiwanese students wishing to study abroad, she added.
Taiwan is the last stop of a two-week economic mission to Asia, during which Blanco has also visited Japan, China and Hong Kong.
ST. PETERSBURG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA TO PERFORM IN TAIWAN
Taipei, Nov. 9 (CNA) The St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, regarded as one of the best in the world, will stage two concerts in Taiwan Nov. 10 and Nov. 11, organizers said Thursday.
The Russian orchestra, led by conductor Yuri Temirkanov and consisting of 120 musicians, will perform at the National Concert Hall on its fourth visit to Taiwan.
All proceeds of the Nov. 10 concert will be donated to the Sacred Heart Home, an institution located in Chiayi County dedicated to caring for people who are severely mentally or physically challenged.
The concerts are being sponsored by the Wan Hai Charity Foundation and the Powerchip Semiconductor Corp. Cultural Foundation.
The Russian orchestra, led by conductor Yuri Temirkanov and consisting of 120 musicians, will perform at the National Concert Hall on its fourth visit to Taiwan.
All proceeds of the Nov. 10 concert will be donated to the Sacred Heart Home, an institution located in Chiayi County dedicated to caring for people who are severely mentally or physically challenged.
The concerts are being sponsored by the Wan Hai Charity Foundation and the Powerchip Semiconductor Corp. Cultural Foundation.
GLOBAL E-COMMERCE TRUSTMARK ALLIANCE IN THE MAKING
Taipei, Nov. 8 (CNA) Participants from 15 countries and regions walked away from an international meeting in Taipei Wednesday confident of establishing a global e-commerce trustmark alliance in the future.
The initiative that seeks to establish a global online consumer protection network -- "Trustmark Alliance" (TA) -- gathered 30 self-regulatory organizations in the one-day meeting, which was co-sponsored by Asia Trustmark Alliance (ATA) and Taiwan-based Secure Online Shopping Association (SOSA).
To win the confidence of online consumers, the meeting concluded that merchants and organizations need to establish a trustmark or label, an alternative dispute resolution, a privacy protection mechanism and an international collaboration to ensure cross-border online transaction safety.
Governments and law-enforcement agencies should also play important roles in resolving online transaction disputes, meeting participants said.
Participating organizations came from Asia, Europe and America. Among them were BBB Online from the U.S., ECNetwork from Japan, the Korea Institute for Electronic Commerce, TrustSG from Singapore, Certifida from Switzerland, and representatives from Thailand, Germany, and the European Commission.
The initiative that seeks to establish a global online consumer protection network -- "Trustmark Alliance" (TA) -- gathered 30 self-regulatory organizations in the one-day meeting, which was co-sponsored by Asia Trustmark Alliance (ATA) and Taiwan-based Secure Online Shopping Association (SOSA).
To win the confidence of online consumers, the meeting concluded that merchants and organizations need to establish a trustmark or label, an alternative dispute resolution, a privacy protection mechanism and an international collaboration to ensure cross-border online transaction safety.
Governments and law-enforcement agencies should also play important roles in resolving online transaction disputes, meeting participants said.
Participating organizations came from Asia, Europe and America. Among them were BBB Online from the U.S., ECNetwork from Japan, the Korea Institute for Electronic Commerce, TrustSG from Singapore, Certifida from Switzerland, and representatives from Thailand, Germany, and the European Commission.
UK EXPERTS ADVISE TAIWAN TO STEP UP RAILWAY INVESTMENT
Taipei, Nov. 8 (CNA) A British railway expert advised Taiwan to step up investment in the railway industry and regain public confidence for the most environmentally friendly form of travel.
"It's good for the people of Taiwan, the economy, and the environment -- the three pillars of railway development," said Len Porter, chief executive of Rail Safety and Standards Board Limited (RSSB), in an interview Wednesday with the CNA. The interview was held on the eve of a seminar entitled "Managing the Safety of Railway Assets and People," to be held Nov. 9 in Taipei.
Overall, the railways are far more environmentally friendly than any other form of transport except for bicycles, Porter said, adding that Taiwan's government should invest more in railway development at this key juncture -- when environmental and energy issues have become the focus of global concern.
Taiwan should be devoting itself to engaging in more railway activities such as establishing railway lines for mass-rapid transportation (MRT) in Taipei, Kaohsiung and Taichung, and a high-speed railway, said Jeremy Candfield, director-general of the U.K. Railway Industry Association.
In fact, increased railway investment was a key factor that helped London win the bid to host the 2012 Olympics, Candfield noted.
The British railway industry, like Taiwan's, had also taken "hits" in the mid 1990s, experiencing a stable decline in the number of railway passengers, he said.
The industry embarked upon a major restructuring plan after a major railway accident in 1999, when the RSSB was established, Porter said.
The industry body spent a lot of time identifying the principle risks in the infrastructure, Porter said, and tried to reduce those risks by improving maintenance, sorting out responsibility and accountability, producing and providing as much information as possible to regain the confidence of British citizens.
The efforts have paid dividends, he said; in three of the last five years there has been no single passenger killed or injured in the U.K.
"You can never say there is no risk [in railway transportation]. And you can never say a railway is totally safe," Porter said.
However, by reducing risks in the network, railway transportation can still become an important part of everyone's daily life -- even in Taiwan, he said.
"It's good for the people of Taiwan, the economy, and the environment -- the three pillars of railway development," said Len Porter, chief executive of Rail Safety and Standards Board Limited (RSSB), in an interview Wednesday with the CNA. The interview was held on the eve of a seminar entitled "Managing the Safety of Railway Assets and People," to be held Nov. 9 in Taipei.
Overall, the railways are far more environmentally friendly than any other form of transport except for bicycles, Porter said, adding that Taiwan's government should invest more in railway development at this key juncture -- when environmental and energy issues have become the focus of global concern.
Taiwan should be devoting itself to engaging in more railway activities such as establishing railway lines for mass-rapid transportation (MRT) in Taipei, Kaohsiung and Taichung, and a high-speed railway, said Jeremy Candfield, director-general of the U.K. Railway Industry Association.
In fact, increased railway investment was a key factor that helped London win the bid to host the 2012 Olympics, Candfield noted.
The British railway industry, like Taiwan's, had also taken "hits" in the mid 1990s, experiencing a stable decline in the number of railway passengers, he said.
The industry embarked upon a major restructuring plan after a major railway accident in 1999, when the RSSB was established, Porter said.
The industry body spent a lot of time identifying the principle risks in the infrastructure, Porter said, and tried to reduce those risks by improving maintenance, sorting out responsibility and accountability, producing and providing as much information as possible to regain the confidence of British citizens.
The efforts have paid dividends, he said; in three of the last five years there has been no single passenger killed or injured in the U.K.
"You can never say there is no risk [in railway transportation]. And you can never say a railway is totally safe," Porter said.
However, by reducing risks in the network, railway transportation can still become an important part of everyone's daily life -- even in Taiwan, he said.
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