Literature Professor Chia-ling Mei Wins 2008 National Award for Distinguished General Education Teachers

Prof. Chia-ling Mei of the Department of Chinese Literature was named among the five professors in Taiwan to be awarded the Second Annual Distinguished Award for General Education Teachers in 2008. The recipients were chosen through a rigorous review by a panel of scholars from 11 disciplines in which 69 candidates recommended by public and private universities and colleges in Taiwan were considered. The presentation ceremony for the award was held on December 24 during the National Conference of University Presidents. Minister of Education Dr. Jei-cheng Cheng personally presented a certificate of merit, an award trophy and a cash prize of NT$200,000 to Prof. Mei and the other winners in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the general education at NTU.

Upon receiving the award, Prof. Mei pointed out that general education is a key that opens doors for students in their learning of professional skills and allows students to begin to discern the rich diversity of the universe and the charm of literature and art. She added that general education helps students become aware of the meaning and value of being a person with emotions and feelings and the unlimited possibilities awaiting them outside of the pursuit of professional skills.

Prof. Mei's areas of specialization include modern literature, Taiwanese literature and the literature of the Six Dynasties. She earned her bachelor, master and doctoral degrees all from the Department of Chinese Literature at NTU. Prof. Mei has taught NTU general education courses as well as freshmen Chinese for NTU common courses from 1987 to the present, and has been convener for the area of "literature and art" in NTU's general education curriculum since 2006.

Prof. Mei has amassed numerous academic honors, including the 2001 Excellent Webpage Award for NTU Asynchronous Teaching, 2003 Ministry of Education Award for Individual Merit-Based Program of General Education Courses (1st semester), 2004 Ministry of Education Award for Individual Merit-Based Program of General Education Courses (1st semester), 2006 Ministry of Education Award for Individual Merit-Based Program of General Education Courses (1st semester), 2006 NTU Award for Individual Merit-Based Program of General Education Courses (1st semester), 2007 NTU Award for Individual Merit-Based Program of General Education Courses (1st semester), 2004 NTU College of Liberal Arts Outstanding Teacher Award, 2006 NTU Excellent Teaching Award, 2007 NTU Outstanding Teacher Award, 2003 National Science Council Major Professor Award for College Students' Special Topic Research Plans (which she won again in 2004 and 2005) and 2003 National Science Council Award for Masters Theses.

In addition, Prof. Mei received a grant from the China Development Fund to teach at universities in China, and was invited as a visiting professor to teach at Charles University of the Czech Republic, Tsinghua University of Beijing and Heidelberg University of Germany.