Roman architect Vitruvius once wrote that a good building should satisfied the three principles, i.e. durability, utility, and beauty. Therefore, we can know that architecture is not only about science and calculation, but also a work of art and design. The 2017 Taiwan Architecture Professionals Cultivation Forum aims to discuss the transformation and challenge for Taiwan’s Architecture Department when they are shifting from the College of Engineering to the College of Design.

Teng-Chiao Lin, Administrative Deputy Minister of the Taiwan’s Ministry of Education and Taipei Tech’s President Wenlung Li, and many other distinguished guests attended the forum which was held on May 27.

Professionals and scholars from both sides of the straits came to talked about three main topics in the forum. First, will the shifting of positioning affect students when they entering the job market? Second is to explore the pros and cons of using general education/professional education model in architecture talent cultivation. Third, what curriculum adjustment can we do to face the trend and challenge of architecture education?

Tsung-Juang Wang is the director of Design Information and Design Lab at Taipei Tech’s Department of Architecture and the host of the 2017 Taiwan Architecture Professionals Cultivation Forum. The Design Information and Design Lab have initiated many events to improve architecture talent cultivation such as to hold academia-industry exchange activity, create internship opportunities, and to issue the 50 Contemporary Architecture Specialist.