Former Minister without Portfolio Xue Qi is cordially invited to serve as Chair Professor of Finance and Economics to teach the functions and applications of the theory of Economics

Former Minister without Portfolio Xue Qi has been cordially invited by Soochow University to serve as Chair Professor of Finance and Economics in 2014 academic year to provide instruction in the course, "Globalization, Economic Integration, and International Trade.” On Monday, September 15, 2014, a welcoming tea party and ceremony in honor of the hiring of the chair professor was held at the university’s downtown campus with many honorable guests from different fields in attendance.

        President Pan Wei-Ta thanked Professor Xue Qi for accepting the invitation to teach at the university and praised Professor Xue for his sterling reputation as a scholar in economics both in Taiwan and abroad and as one of the few professors with experience as a high-ranking official. Professor Xue has been the Chair of the Department of Economics of National Taiwan University, Dean of the College of Science of National Central University, Deputy Chair Councilor of the Council for Economic Planning and Developmentof the Executive Yuan, Director of the Taiwan Academy of Banking and Finance, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Taiwan Stock Exchange Corporation, and Minister without Portfolio of the Executive Yuan. In addition to being conferred an outstanding research award by the National Science Council for his distinguished academic performance, Mr. Xue Qi was responsible for the planning of Taiwan’s financial and economic policies and the promotion of the liberalization and internationalization of its economy; he has carried the heavy burden of overseeing the healthy development of Taiwan’s financial markets in the past few decades. His understanding of Taiwan’s financial and economic policies and practice over the past few decades can hardly be overestimated. In honor of Professor Xue Qi’s the outstanding academic achievement and reputation, Soochow University established the Fellowship of Finance and Economics. By inviting Dr. Xue Qi to serve as chair professor of the fellowship, the university hopes its students will greatly benefit by his excellent research and abundant experience in the planning and practice of economic policies.

       Mr. Chen Chong, former President of the Executive Yuan and presently Chair Professor of Law and Business of Soochow University, was invited to give a speech at the ceremony. He stated that Soochow University would greatly benefit from having an outstanding scholar with such abundant practical experience as Professor Xue Qi has acquired. Mr. Chen Hong-Zhi, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Alumni Foundation of the Department of Economics of Soochow University, praised Professor Xue’s contributions to Taiwan’s financial system, its healthy market, its planning and promotion of financial and economic policies, and his efforts on behalf of the revitalization of Taiwan’s economy.

        Professor Zhan Qian-Log, Dean of the College of Business, underscored the importance of Soochow University’s efforts to invite excellent lecturers to teach in the university. He stated that the College of Business was honored to invite Professor Xue Qi to serve as the Chair Professor of Finance and Economics. He hoped that Professor Xue would share his expertise on the research project concerning cross-strait finances conducted by the College of Business so as to raise the research level and practical value of the project.

        Professor Fu Zu-Tan, Chair of the Department of Economics, welcomed Professor Xue to the department’s faculty and students and thanked the sponsor of the Alumni Foundation of the Department of Economics

        After the speeches, President Pan presented the contract to Professor Xue Qi the highlight of the ceremony. This was followed by the presentation to the guest of honor of a bouquet by Professor Fan Qin-Ping of the Department of Economics. In this cordial atmosphere, Professor Xue declared this to be the happiest event of the year for him. He noted that the university’s motto, "Unto a full-grown man,”was based on the classical education of the six arts of the Ancients. He encouraged students to give heed to the life-time pursuit of truth, beauty, and virtue. He praised Soochow University for its excellent record in the social sciences and its cultivation of many talented individuals. He thanked the university for holding such a warm and magnificent ceremony on his behalf and hoped that he would work with all concerned parties in a congenial atmosphere and that he would merit the university’s trust.