National Chi Nan University (simplified Chinese: 国立暨南国际大学; traditional Chinese: 國立暨南國際大學; pinyin: Guólì Jìnán Guójì Dàxué; Wade–Giles: Kuoli Chinan Kuochi Tahsuëh; NCNU) is located in the town of Puli, Nantou County, Taiwan, Republic of China. The National Chi Nan University Planning Committee was established on 1 March 1991 in order to establish a university with the following missions: Land which previously was the property of the Taiwan Sugar Corporation was selected as the campus of the new university in January 1992. The initial phase of construction of the university was completed in July 1995. The first classes of graduate students were enrolled at the University in September 1995. The first classes of undergraduates registered in September 1996, along with the official opening of the campus. When the devastating 921 earthquake struck Nantou County on 21 September 1999, all major buildings and dormitories in campus were critically damaged, and the University suffered a great loss of equipment and basic infrastructure.