The Ketagalan Institute founded by former president Chen Shui-bian in 2003 under his foundation that bears the same name is aimed at training political talent.

The institute’s stated mission is to deepen Taiwan’s democracy and to support an independent judicial system as well as an objective and reasonable media environment. 

The institute offers courses such as decision-making and leadership, strategies for national development, aboriginal studies, female leadership in public affairs, youth leadership, as well as legislature studies.

When Chen stepped down in 2008 after serving a maximum two four-year terms, the institute was inactive for a couple of years. It was not until Chang Fu-mei, a former Control Yuan member, took over the reins in 2011 that the institute started offering courses to the public again. The institute is not affiliated with the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), but it has close ties to DPP members and supporters. Chang has said however that opposition KMT members have signed up for courses in the past.

The institute has a number of prominent alumni, including Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je and former Taipei 101 Chairwoman Diana Chen.

The Ketagalan Foundation is headed by Mark Chen, a Taiwan independence activist who served as foreign minister when the president was in office. The two are not related. The foundations CFO is the president’s son, Chen Chih-chung.