The Research and Development Office, formerly known as the Research and Development Committee, was reinstated on March 1, 1997. Since the establishment of the Office, its function has gradually shifted from a logistic one that handles data collection, analysis, evaluation and forecasting to an administrative one that fosters cooperative partnership and promotes long-term development of the University through innovative concepts and pioneering schemes. Functions as an academic forecaster, reviewer and analyzer, the Office is the foremost center that meets the continuous challenges posed by globalization in higher education, regional economic development and the overall quality of the University, engaging in supporting academic research, distributive education, academic exchanges and international co-operations.

The Research and Development Office was founded in accordance with Item 4 of Article 19 of the ¡§National Central University Structure Regulations¡¨. According to the University Regulation, the Research and Development Office is responsible for planning future development, promoting academic research programs, advocating distributive education, conducting industrial-academic co-operations and fostering international cooperation. Assisted by a number of staff subdivided into divisions, the Research and Development Office is composed of dean and one secretary, responsible for the R&D affairs of the entire University.