TAIWAN: St. John’s Institute of Technology has been upgraded to St. John’s University. St. John’s University, formerly St. John’s and St. Mary’s Institute of Technology, located in Tamsui, Taiwan, celebrated an upgrade from Institute of Technology to University of Technology with ceremonies on August 1st. Over 200 dignitaries, faculty, alumni, and government officials were in attendance for the day of activities. The accreditation as a university of technology, which became official on August 1, 2005, was marked by a morning service with Right Reverend David J.H. Lai presiding bishop in the Diocese of Taiwan addressing the gathered, followed by a ceremony formally announcing the upgrade with presentations from representatives of the Taiwan government and the unveiling of the University’s new sign, and concluded with an afternoon celebration party.

Established in Taiwan in 1967, St. John’s and St. Mary’s was the successor school to St. John’s University in Shanghai China which was in existence from 1879 to 1952. When its Board of Trustees decided to create a new university bearing the same spirit and tradition as St. John’s this time in Taiwan, Taiwanese officials agreed, but it was to be a five year junior college not a formal university. Thus, the school got its second start as St. John’s and St. Mary’s Jr. College. In 1999 St. John’s and St. Mary’s became an accredited 4 year technical college. Along with the university’s president Peter Yang the Board of Trustees has set 2010 as the date by which they hope to accomplish this goal.

"It is a very great encouragement to the students as well as the faculty" said President Yang of the recent upgrade. "Originally St. John’s was one of the best universities in mainland China, with many great accomplishments by its alumni. Already here in Taiwan as an institute we have accomplished much. Becoming a formal university will mean finally restoring the great legacy of St. John’s University."

UK: Universities Upgraded. We were notified by Rev Canon John Hall of the Church of England that several of the CUAC institutions in UK have now formally adopted the title University, with the permission of HM Privy Council and the Charity Commission. The institutions with the new title are:

The heads of all these institutions are now called Vice-chancellor rather than Principal. The Archbishop of Canterbury will be installed as Chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University in Canterbury Cathedral in December this year.

LIBERIA: Cuttington University College has been also awarded the full university status. On July 24, Cuttington University celebrated completion of the first academic year since they have been able to return to the partially restored campus. On October 24 Cuttington started the new academic year. And on November 12 it celebrated the official launching of the Graduate School and induction of Dr. Henrique Tokpa into the office of President. And finally, with a grant from Trinity Church, Wall Street, Cuttington was able to establish a high-speed Internet connection. This will allow its faculty and student to access the vast array of the educational on-line resources, enable distance learning and, potentially, will replace the library destroyed during the years of civil unrest.