Last Friday (2022.03.11) was a big day for Chaoyang University of Technology. Nearly two hundred guests were invited to celebrate the grand opening of the Shih Hsuan Aviation Building. Many of us found it astonishing that the school only took 500 days to build this new icon, where the College of Aviation is based. The College, where the school had spent TWD 500 million to establish, is geared towards forging aviation talents for Taiwan and the world.

    "We alone can’t make it without your support. Today is a new page for Chaoyang and the aviation industry," said President Cheng Tao-Ming in his welcoming speech. He expressed heartfelt gratitude for the presence of government bodies, aviation authorities, and airline companies. “We've been working so hard to achieve globalization and are proud that we attain international rankings and keep close with our sister universities worldwide,” he continued. Guests in two rows were on stage for the ribbon-cutting, including Yang Yu-Hui, Director of the Department of Technological and Vocational Education MOE; Lin Kuo-Shian, Director General of Civil Aeronautics Administration MOTC; Bruce Linghu, Deputy Mayor of Taichung City; and senior management of airline companies.

    One of the spotlights fell on the time-lapse video showing the 500-day making of the Shih Hsuan Aviation Building. The building consumed green building materials and energy-saving equipment, supported by an AI energy monitoring system and a roof-top solar power generation panel. The sun shading and three-dimensional green design strengthened the natural shading and energy-saving effect. "The construction fulfilled the SDGs and won the Silver Green Building Label," said Chang Hwa-Nan, Assistant Vice-President and Dean of General Affairs.

    Guests were divided into groups for guided tours after the ceremony. The cockpit room, flight simulators, and three displayed aircraft caught their eyes. The College of Aviation comprises the Department of Aeronautical Engineering, Aviation Technology, and the upcoming Department of Air Transport Management. It is the only university in Taiwan that works with airlines to provide pilot training. Collaborations with various aviation companies are on the go, including EVA Air, EVA Flight Training Academy, Airways Aviation Australia, Southern Illinois University, AeroJones Aviation, Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation, Air Asia, and the Mandarin Airline. "Our trainers come from overseas and local airlines, and there will be more partnerships coming for the benefit of students. The future is promising,” said Chiang Chih-Hung, Dean of College of Aviation.