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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Elections & Politics

Academia Sinica head dismisses low public interest claims as minority view

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Legislator questioned Academia Sinica President Chen Chien-jen about public interest in the院士会议 (academician conference).
  • Chen stated that criticism of low public attention is a minority opinion and that the conference received significant media coverage.
  • The legislator also urged the institution to address major national issues beyond academic research.

Academia Sinica President Chen Chien-jen has dismissed criticism regarding the perceived low public interest in the institution's academician conferences as a "minority opinion." Legislators had raised concerns, citing comments from Academia Sinica academician Michael Chang, who suggested that societal attention to the conferences is limited.

Chen acknowledged Chang's viewpoint but asserted that it does not reflect the institution's stance. He highlighted that this year's conference and the induction of new academicians garnered substantial attention, with over 100 related news reports. Many universities also publicly honored their newly elected academicians, demonstrating continued societal respect for the honor, Chen stated.

He can express his thoughts, but this is not our opinion.

— Chen Chien-jenResponding to legislator's question about Michael Chang's criticism of low public interest in academician conferences.

Beyond the debate on public engagement, a legislator urged the Academia Sinica to actively address significant national issues, rather than focusing solely on academic research. Chen pointed to the institution's economic research division as an example of its contribution, noting its recent economic growth forecasts have been well-received and discussed. He believes that diverse economic predictions offer valuable references for society and that the institute continues to produce strong academic results.

The induction of new academicians this year has received significant attention from all sectors.

— Chen Chien-jenHighlighting the media coverage and public recognition of the Academia Sinica's recent events.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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