Tang Juan, 22, an undergraduate of the National Chenkung University (Chenta), has assembled the Republic of China's first fourth-generation computer, "Chenta No.1."
The computer, nicknamed "Tang Go Go" (Brother Tang), can handle complex mathematical computations.
Except for the LSI (large-scale integration) parts, which came from abroad, all the materials—transformers, diodes, transistors, resistors and capacitors—were bought used in Taiwan.
Weighing 7¼ pounds, the Chenta No. 1 measures 38 x 18 centimeters.
Cost of the computer was NT$2,400 (US$60) and it took six months to build.
Unlike most machines, Tang's computer does not produce any chattering noise.
Because he could not obtain parts, he had to use a series instead of parallel system for calculations. This does not affect speed and accuracy.
The first three months of work was mostly devoted to designing and paper work. Then came collection and assembly of the parts.
Tang had difficulty making the PC (printed circuit) boards. He had no circuit-printing machine and had to draw the circuits by hand. They don't look good but work well enough.
Education Minister Lo Yun-ping gave Tang NT$20,000 (US$500) for further research. Electronics companies offered him advanced research opportunities.
To an interviewer, he said of science development in the Republic of China: "If you stepped out with one leg, would the other be far be hind?"
NTU students conduct 9-day social survey
One hundred and sixty students and professors of the National Taiwan University conducted a nine-day survey to help the government identify and solve social problems. They are compiling and analyzing findings.
The survey was carried out in cities and rural areas January 12 to 20 by five teams.
This was the first undertaking of the Social Service Corps set up by NTU students to accelerate social reform and consolidate economic and political progress.
The university provided US$2,500 as an initial fund.
Government officials, professors and specialists briefed students before interviewing started. Concentration was on attitudes toward farm mechanization, welfare and local elections. These are samples of result:
Chop carver in downtown Taipei—
"I have been doing business here for 30 years. We know it is illegal to have a stand here under the overpass. However, since we always keep our stands here and don't move around, the police have been considerate enough not to bother us.
"I make an average of NT$70 (US$1.75) a day and have to feed six mouths and pay the education fees for my children.
"Some police suggested setting up business at a market where we could be licensed and have permanent stands.
"Some have done that. But others like myself oppose the idea. If we are together, our profits will be cut because of competition. Small businesses such as ours don't have the capacity for competition.
"So far the police have not pushed us too hard. I intend to remain here as long as possible."
Driver of a motorized cart (banned on main streets) in Taipei—
"Some policemen understand our family problems and overlook our offenses. Others are very strict. They may not give us tickets, but a policeman may order us to turn back only to be stopped by police at the other end of the street. We have to find lanes and alleys to reach our destination.
"Each of us can make an average of about NT$76 (US$1.90) a day. But we have to be on the job as early as 5 or 6 o'clock in the morning."
Lottery ticket seller in downtown Taipei—
"The quality of police has to be improved so they will help the people solve problems. The situation is getting worse as pedestrians, buses and motorcycle riders pay less attention to traffic regulations.
"Once I saw a really helpful policeman. He was helping a bicyclist whose light had gone out. Instead of scolding him and giving him a ticket, he asked him to use a byway and have his light fixed. His manner touched the heart of the lawbreaker, who followed the policeman's advice and expressed his gratitude."
One of 3.5 persons in Taiwan is a student
One out of every 3.5 persons in Taiwan is a student, Vice President-Premier C. K. Yen reported.
Speaking at a Dr. Sun Yat-sen memorial meeting, the Vice President said enrollment of all schools was 4,109,163 last fall, up 2.94 per cent over the 1970 figure.
There are 4,111 schools of various levels in Taiwan, 75 more than in 1970.
Expansion of nine-year free schooling and science development continue to be the priority tasks in education, Yen said.
In the three-year period ended last July, 542 new junior high schools were established.
As a result, 79.81 per cent of primary school graduates were able to seek further education compared to 62.29 per cent in 1967.
During the same period, attendance at primary schools rose from 97.52 to 98.01 per cent.
In science development, implementation of the first four-year program has been proceeding according to schedule. Newly opened up are studies in nuclear science, electronics, meteorology, seismology, oceanography and biochemistry.
Efforts are being made to strengthen the development of industrial technology and the study of applied sciences.
College entrance examination reviewed
Scholars and specialists of the Ministry of Education held a six-day conference to study improvement of the joint college entrance examination.
Dr. John S. Helmick, vice president of the Education Testing Service in the United States, attended at the invitation of the Asia Foundation.
The examination, held every summer, was introduced in the 1950s. College aspirants have to take part in only one examination instead of many. Time and labor are saved by educational institutions.
The system has its shortcomings. The examinee has only one chance annually to get into a college.
The biggest problem is technical. Administration is handled by participating universities and colleges on a rotation basis. There is no permanent set-up of experienced testers.
The Education Ministry has decided in principle to maintain the system while trying to improve it. Re-commendations have been made that computers be employed in grading papers and analyzing students' qualifications.
Organization Law of Science Council OK'd
The Legislative Yuan has approved the Organization Law of the National Science Council, making the science promotion agency a permanent establishment of the Executive Yuan (Cabinet).
The Council will have a chairman of Cabinet rank, one or two vice chairmen and 8 to 12 members.
Dr. Wu Ta-you, present chairman, was appointed by President Chiang Kai-shek. He does not hold any official rank.
The administrative staff will be headed by a chief secretary and six division heads. Present divisions are of natural science, applied and engineering sciences, social sciences, biological, medical and agricultural sciences, science education, international cooperation and integrated operations.
Which of the seven divisions is to be eliminated has yet to be decided.
Dr. Wu said the 1968-71 science development program was not as successful as had been expected.
The four-year plan was one of a series of three under a 12-year master program. Dr. Wu said there could have been more progress with better coordination among government agencies concerned.
Another obstacle is the attitude of young teachers in some universities. Dr. Wu said a number of visiting associate professors left in anger when they found they had not even given teaching assignments and that they were not wanted by senior professors.
Some research and educational institutions apply for construction funds before they have competent personnel, Dr. Wu added.
He also said some expensive instruments purchased 10 years ago have not been used and that scientific journals are gathering dust on the bookshelves.
Dr. Wu said some people had criticized the Council out of bias or lack of understanding. The Council itself lacks competent manpower, he said.
The government has earmarked US$125 million to finance the second four-year science development pro gram starting in July.
Training of personnel and development of both pure and applied sciences will continue to be the primary goals.
The training target is 7,000 persons. Some 2,000 foreign-trained Chinese scientists and specialists will be recruited for teaching and research assignments.
The budget for science development is expected to rise further as the nation's economic boom continues.
Under the 10-year economic plan approved by the Cabinet, spending for scientific and technological development will be raised from the present 0.6 per cent to 1 per cent of the gross national product.
Manpower discussion set with U. S. scholars
More than 30 Chinese and American economists will meet in Taipei in June to discuss manpower problems involved in Taiwan's rapid economic growth.
The Taiwan Manpower Resources Conference will be sponsored by the China Council on Sino-American Cooperation in Humanities and Social Sciences and the Council for International Economic Cooperation and Development.
Support will come from the American Council of Learned Societies and the Social Science Research Council through the efforts of Dr. Liu Tachung, a member of the Academia Sinica, and Prof. Walter Galenson of Cornell University.
Dr. Wang Shih-chieh, chairman of the China Council on Sino-American Cooperation in Humanities and Social Sciences, said a preparatory committee has been formed.
Some 20 local economists and 12 American scholars will attend. Four Chinese economists in the United States, all of them members of the Academia Sinica, also will come.
Simon Kuznets of Harvard University, winner of the 1971 Nobel Prize for economics, will give a series of lectures after the conference.
Childbirth mortality shows big decline
The mortality rate of mothers and babies has declined substantially in the last 10 years, according to Dr. Fan Kuang-yu, director of research at the provincial Women's and Children's Hospital.
Dr. Fan said that in 1970, infant mortality was 17 in 1,000 compared with 39 in 1,000 in 1959.
Four out of every 10,000 mothers were lost in 1970 compared with II per 10,000 in 1959.
Dr. Fan attributed the decline to control of disease and various public health programs.
He pointed out that the daily intake of calories has reached 2,700, the highest in East Asia.
Nutrition of infants is as good as in Western countries during the first six months.
However, Dr. Fan said, nutrition drops after that because the yield of mothers' milk is less.
Dr. Fan urged more money and personnel be devoted to mother and child care programs.
He said in advanced countries there is a public maternal and child health care center for every 4,000 persons. In Taiwan there is one for every 40,000, and a public nurse for every 20,000 persons.
He set a target of one public nurse for every 5,000 persons in the next five years.
He urged the Provincial Government to increase the public health budget from 2.5 to 15 per cent of the total.
Control Yuan members urge more information
Seven members of the Control Yuan, the nation's watchdog body, have urged the government to expand the international information program to offset ever-increasing Chinese Communist propaganda.
Their proposal calls for an expanded budget and the improvement of dissemination.
They said too few foreigners know of the ROC's achievements in political, military, economic and cultural fields. What they do know lacks depth.
Chinese Communists, on the other hand, are disseminating propaganda internationally through publications, radio broadcasts and films.
So-called "China hands" in foreign countries are studying Chinese problems in the light of propaganda materials prepared by the Maoist regime, they said.
If the trend continues, the world will not listen to the ROC and will not know the evil of the Communists.
Principal publications of government agencies will be placed on sale at the Central Publications Sales Department in Taipei.
There are some 562 publications, including periodicals, academic journals, pamphlets, official bulletins, laws and regulations. Combined circulation is estimated at more than 2.8 million copies. Selected publications will be on sale. A catalog of all publications is being compiled for reference.
The government Information Office, which is in charge of the operation, said sale will be on a non-profit basis.
Sato quotes Mencius in calligraphy message
"If, on self-examination, I find that I am upright. I will go forward against thousands and tens of thousands."
This quotation, written in Chinese characters by Prime Minister Eisaku Sato of Japan, was part of a message Sato sent to the Sino-Japanese Calligraphy Exhibition at the National Museum of History in Taipei.
The quotation is from Mencius. Change Tso-ching, city editor of the United Daily News of Taipei, wrote that Sato's calligraphy expresses not only his valor but also his political philosophy.
Recounting accomplishments of the prime minister, Chang praised Sato as a statesman of justice and courage.
"Armed with true valor and up right faith, Prime Minister Sato will certainly make further contributions to his country and the rest of the free world in upholding peace and freedom," Chang wrote.