Kyushu University's Taiwan Studies Program has funding renewed by the Taiwan Ministry of Education

On Friday, September 25, a signing ceremony took place at Kyushu University to confirm renewed support from Taiwan's Ministry of Education for Kyushu University's Interdisciplinary Taiwan Studies Program. The formal agreement was signed by Chiharu Kubo, President of Kyushu University, and by Mr. Chen Chong-cheng (陳忠正), Consul-General at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Fukuoka. The signing ceremony was attended by Mr. Hasegawa Hirokazu (special advisor to President Kubo), Professor Watanabe Koichiro (Vice-President of Kyushu University), Professor Ozaki Akihito (Dean of the Faculty of Human-Environment Studies) and other distinguished guests.

The Taiwan Studies Program was first established in October 2017, with the aim of enhancing understanding of Taiwan amongst Kyushu University students, supporting academic exchange with Taiwanese institutions, and promoting research on all aspects of contemporary Taiwanese society. Based in Kyushu University's Education Department, the program operates in collaboration with other university departments, under the guidance of the Vice-President for International Affairs.

The program's main activities include an annual student field trip to Taiwan, an intensive Chinese language study program based at National Taiwan Normal University in Taipei, an annual symposium, 'Taiwan Today' (台湾事情), and regular classes on various aspects of Taiwanese history, politics, culture and society.

In this second three-year phase of the program, a major additional focus will be supporting Kyushu University's efforts to strengthen and deepen teaching collaboration with key Taiwanese partners. For example, negotiations are in progress to establish double degree postgraduate programs with National Taiwan Normal University, National Taiwan University and other institutions. Planning is also underway for summer schools jointly run by Kyushu University and Taiwanese partners.

Note:

The delegates’ position titles are as of the signing ceremony.