On August 1, 2008, National Dong Hwa University integrated with the then National Hualien University of Education marking a new milestone for the University. The synergy effect of integration expanded National Dong Hwa University’s academic disciplines and strengthened its research. Regarding the history of the University, it could be traced from the two campuses in Shoufeng and Meilun. "National Dong Hwa University was founded in July 1994 with the planning stage started three years earlier. In October 1991, the National Dong Hwa University Planning Office was established in Shoufeng, Hualien, by the Ministry of Education as part of its mission to foster the balanced regional development of Taiwan through the even distribution of higher education systems in the north, south, east and west of the island. Professor Paul Tzung-Tsan Mu was appointed to head the Office and led the development of plans for eastern Taiwan's first comprehensive university."