A British archaeologist, Gordon Howard Turner-Walker, specializes in relics restoration and molecular identification research on bones. This November, Turner-Walker obtained the special version of the alien permanent resident certificate (APRC) - Plum Blossom Card (梅花卡) under the category of high-level professionals.
Read More: Embrace the holiday festivities under the decorative lights at Zhongshan MRT station!
Professor Turner-Walker teaches the preservation and maintenance of ceramics and cultural relics. (Photo / Provided by NIA)
Su Hui Wen (蘇慧雯), the Director of National Immigration Agency (Taichung City Service Center), stated that to promote the recruitment and employment of foreign professionals, various application channels for foreign professionals to obtain Resident Certificate and Permanent residence are provided.
According to the National Development Council, if a foreign professional or foreign special professional has obtained a master’s degree or higher from an institution of higher education in the State, the degree may be counted in the calculation of the period of continuous residence in the State.
Read More: World Masters Game Promo Clip Wins Award at ART&TUR 2021
The 67-year-old Turner-Walker has been an archaeology enthusiast since young. After graduating from the Department of Astrophysics at the University of London in 1975, and then transferred to the University of Durham in the United Kingdom to study archaeological preservation and maintenance. Afterward, he furthered his studies in archaeological science to obtain a doctorate from the University of Durham.
In 2003, Turner-Walker came to Taiwan as a guest professor of cultural assets at the National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, and was later promoted to an associate professor, and a professor.
As a professor, he has trained many professionals in the field of museums and restoration, and the students he taught were employed in famous museums and restoration centers in Taiwan and abroad. With his excellent teaching performance, he was awarded the Excellent Teacher Award by the Ministry of Education in 2014.
Turner-Walker also makes use of his professional knowledge to participate in the domestic cultural asset preservation publications, which helps to increase Taiwan's international visibility.
What is Plum Blossom Card (梅花卡)?
Permanent Residency “Plum Blossom” Card is issued to High-level professionals, foreigners who have made large investments and made major contributions in Taiwan, encouraging more international professionals to reside permanently in Taiwan.
Those who meet the qualifications can apply for it. After being approved by the central competent authority and the review committee, the person will not be restricted by the number of days staying in Taiwan.
This card is different from the usual Alien Permanent Resident Certificate. Until this November, a total of 222 cards have been issued.
