HUALIEN (TVBS News) — National Dong Hwa University (NDHU) announced plans Monday (April 8) to rebuild the physics and engineering building, which was destroyed by a fire caused by the April 3 earthquake.
The university said the necessary funds for the off-site reconstruction will be primarily supported by the school fund and donations from the "0403 Earthquake Dong Hwa Reconstruction Donation Account (0403地震東華重建捐款專戶)." The reconstruction project will be handled in a lump-sum contract, building a two-story reinforced concrete structure scheduled for completion and use in September next year.
The university's priority is to restore the teaching environment as soon as possible for students returning to school on April 10. NDHU has also set up a 24-hour hotline to provide emotional support for the shocked faculty and students.
NDHU added that Tzu Chi University has expressed its willingness to provide support and will collaborate on how to assist affected students.
The university expressed gratitude for the generous donations. Also, it appealed to all sectors of society to consider the disaster situation in various regions of Hualien and assist NDHU to jointly support disaster relief work and restore the original appearance of Hualien's beautiful mountains, waters, and scenery as soon as possible.