A British archaeologist who has worked on the conservation of archaeological sites in Taiwan has been awarded a Plum Blossom Card, the National Immigration Agency (NIA) said in a statement Tuesday.
Gordon Howard Turner-Walker, now 67, received the special version of the alien permanent resident certificate (APRC) in November under the category of high-level professionals.
Turner-Walker came to Taiwan in 2003 as a visiting professor at National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, and has been a faculty member ever since. He is now a professor at the school's Graduate School of Cultural Heritage Conservation.
During his tenure, the U.K. academic has focused on the conservation and restoration of several archaeological sites and materials, including cultural relics in Beigang Chaotian Temple in Yunlin County and an ancient tomb site in Kimmen.
He is also an English editor at the Journal of Cultural Heritage Conservation and assisted in writing and editing "A Practical Guide to the Care and Conservation of Metals," published by the Executive Yuan in 2008, according to NIA.
As a teacher, Turner-Walker has cultivated the next generation of museum and restoration talent, infusing new energy into Taiwan's teaching of cultural heritage conservation. He was presented the Excellent Teacher Award by the Ministry of Education in 2014, according to NIA.
Turner-Walker sees great potential in the development of professional cultural heritage conservation and restoration in Taiwan from his experience in higher education and government-funded projects, the NIA said.
Turner-Walker received his Ph.D. in Archaeological Science at University of Durham, U.K. in 1993 and has worked in local and university museums, national laboratories and university departments in Europe, Africa and Asia.
The Plum Blossom Card is awarded to foreign nationals who have made special contributions to Taiwan, have high-level professional or technical skills needed by the country, or have invested over NT$15 million (US$504,150) in the country.
Card holders are granted permanent residency and are also eligible to pursue a simplified application process for Taiwanese citizenship, according to the NIA.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel