The “Advanced Studies Center” at NCTU has now finally opened its doors.  The Ministry of Education in Taipei has just given us a pile of money.  The first international scholar, György Szell, from the University of Osnabruck in Germany just completed his stint with us.  He gave four lectures on assorted topics (”the Japanese model,” “the European model,””German labor relations,” “international academic exchange”).  Very embarrassingly, however, next to no one showed up for his talks.

Far too many things in Taiwan are purely pro forma, especially in relation to the bureaucrats at the Ministry of Education.  You tick the box, write up the report, take a few photos of the visiting scholar, and voilà you’ve convince the authorities in Taipei to give you another couple of million NT dollars.  The fact that no “advanced studies” actually take place doesn’t seem to matter.  I foolishly suggested that all colleagues who receive money from the Ministry should be obliged to come to all talks, but I was immediately mocked: “you can’t force Taiwanese professors to do anything.  They do what they like.”  Clearly they just want to collect the money.

Some day I would like to work in a place where every colleague shows up for academic seminars and where no one bothers to tick boxes.