Draft:NTU SPE

School of Political Science and Economics, National Taiwan University The School of Political Science and Economics (SPE) is a multidisciplinary institute within National Taiwan University (NTU), established in 2024. It offers professionally and academically oriented programs in political economy, finance, and leadership & management, with a strong focus on global engagement, industry collaboration, and English-language instruction. 1. History The SPE was officially approved by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education on 27 February 2024, under the "National Key Fields Industry‑University Cooperation and Skilled Personnel Training Act." It built upon NTU’s existing strengths in the College of Social Sciences and College of Management.¹

On 6 May 2024, NTU inaugurated the International School of Politics and Economics (ISPE) at the historic Downtown Campus, marked by a ceremony attended by President Tsai Ing‑wen, President Wen‑chang Chen, ministers, and corporate representatives.² The redevelopment of the Downtown Campus aimed at revitalizing its architectural heritage and reinforcing SPE’s international identity.³ 2. Funding and Governance The establishment of SPE is backed by a ten-year, NT$2.85–3.0 billion (≈ US$92–100 million) investment, equally shared between private sector partners (e.g., Fubon, Cathay, TSMC, YAGEO) and government funding.² NTU President Wen‑chang Chen spearheaded the initiative, appointing Vice President Wang‑Ruu Tseng as interim dean to guide the school's early development.¹ 3. Mission and Vision SPE's mission is to cultivate globally minded leaders skilled in critical thinking (theoria), creative application (poiesis), and practical action (praxis).¹ It seeks to bridge academia, industry, and government through sustainable development, technology integration, and experiential learning. The school emphasizes interdisciplinary and intercultural education, offering an English-language curriculum to foster global competencies.¹ 4. Academic Programs SPE intends to roll out eight degree tracks across undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels: - BA, MA, PhD in Political Economy - BS, MS, PhD in Finance - Professional MA and PhD in Leadership & Management

The launch is staged: master’s programs in 2025, professional master’s in 2026, and both bachelor’s and doctoral programs in 2027.¹ 5. Academic Features and Collaborations SPE applies a tripartite educational model— theoria, poiesis, and praxis—through case studies, simulations, internships, and field research.¹

The school fosters wide-ranging partnerships with prestigious institutions such as UC Berkeley, University of Melbourne, Kyushu University, Waseda, Sciences Po (Paris and Grenoble), Harvard, Georgetown, and others.¹ It hosts visiting scholars and industry leaders, including Nobel Laureates, and incorporates remote learning to engage international participants.

Collaborations with corporate partners and organizations like the European Values Centre and Asia Centre provide SPE students with real‑world exposure through internships, research projects, and mentorship opportunities.⁵ 6. Campus and Facilities Located at NTU’s Downtown Campus—a cultural and historical hub—the SPE benefits from architecturally significant buildings, renovated for modern academic use.² SPE students also have full access to NTU’s world‑class facilities: six main libraries (over 2.4 million volumes), sports complexes, and study spaces.¹ 7. Events and Outreach SPE consistently hosts high-profile events, including lectures by Nobel Laureate Myron Scholes, Roger Myerson, and others on topics ranging from AI and international finance to global security.¹ 8. Reception and Impact Analysts note that SPE’s dual emphasis on semiconductors and political-economic studies makes it uniquely positioned within Taiwan’s academic landscape—especially amid accelerating geopolitical and technological challenge.⁵ NTU highlights describe SPE as a strategic initiative that aligns with national priorities and continues the university's legacy of "Spiritus Universalis"—global and scholarly influence.⁸ 9. Future Directions SPE aims to expand its academic offerings and significantly enhance Taiwan’s global presence in political economy and finance. Anticipated developments include enriching doctoral offerings, increasing international research partnerships, and deepening industry linkages to reinforce its promise of developing future-ready leaders.

References

¹ SPE Mission & Vision (https://spe.ntu.edu.tw/about/mission-vision/) ² Unveiling the International School of Politics and Economics (https://spe.ntu.edu.tw/news-events/unveiling-the-international-school-of-politics-and-economics/) ³ NTU Highlights Feature (https://ntuhighlights.ntu.edu.tw/News_Content_n_171093_s_233760.html) ⁴ Taipei Times Coverage (https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2024/05/07/2003817498) ⁵ NTU Lab Spotlight (https://labspotlight.ntu.edu.tw/focus/89) ⁶ NTU Department of Political Science (https://politics.ntu.edu.tw/english/) ⁷ NTU Admissions Overview (https://admissions.ntu.edu.tw/) ⁸ NTU Highlights on SPE (https://ntuhighlights.ntu.edu.tw/)