On July 2, 2019, the TIGCR Planning Committee visit Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (WKWSCI) of Nanyang Technological University (NTU). We were very appreciated to be warmly welcomed by the Director, Prof. Charles Salmon, and the research fellow, Prof. ANG Peng Hwa, Prof. MAY O. Lwin, Associate Prof. Shirley HO Soo Yee, Associate Prof. Alton Chua and Dr. Lee Chu Keong.
TIGCR Planning Committee visit (WKWSCI) of Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
（Photo credit: TIGCR）
On behalf of the WKWSCI, Associate Prof. Alton Chua first introduced the current development and future blueprint of the school. WKWSCI valued the connection between communication and technology, thus, it not only owned the latest equipment such as AR, VR, AND fMRI, but trained talented researchers expertizing in the field of big data. Regarding the research domains, with the communication-based research such as media effect, public opinion, health communication and virtual reality, coupled with the data-based research like human-computer interaction, digital construction, message recognition and access, WKWCI had great advantage in cross-domain integration.
Afterwards, Prof. Trisha Lin represented TIGCR to deliver a presentation on the introduction of TIGCR and the polarization phenomenon of politics and communication in Taiwan. The presentation covering the research focuses of TIGCR, current survey progress, big data analysis, international collaboration with overseas scholars and the annual policy report, received high recognition and interest from the fellow of the WKWSCI.
Prof. Trisha Lin represented TIGCR to deliver a presentation on the introduction of TIGCR
（Photo credit: TIGCR）
Apart from paying attention in discussing the challenge and solutions of conducting surveys, members from TIGCR and WKWSCI also explored recent issues in both countries. There were several similar issues existed in both countries that was worth for investigating, including health, family, energy, and so on. Associate Prof. Shirley HO Soo Yee had conducted surveys questioning public opinions on the use of nuclear power. Given the likeliness on the issue and survey approach, both sides were looking forward to the future cooperation.
In response to TIGCR’s presentation on annual policy report, members from the WKWSCI was curious about if or not TIGCR inclined to certain parties. Director of TIGCR, Prof. Huang replied that TIGCR insisted to maintain academic neutrality. If there is a tendency towards any party, the credibility of the academic performance will be questioned. Furthermore, TIGCR intended to analyze the phenomenon of Taiwan society in a neutral standpoint, meanwhile, strived to accomplish the goal: alleviating the political polarization.
After the meeting, WKWSCI hosted members from TIGCR with passionate hospitality and tasty local snack. Within the pleasant atmosphere, the both sides promised each other for future cooperation and academic exchanges. Members of WKWSCI then provided TIGCR team a guided tour for several advanced labs, including the Media CoLab, Cognition and Behavioral Sciences Laboratory, Communication and Informatics Research Laboratory Asia, COOL ASIA and the professional studios of the Department of Radio and Television Studies. Fruitful harvest for both WKWSCI and TIGCR!
