天涯社区

On Friday, September 25, a signing ceremony took place at 天涯社区 to confirm renewed support from Taiwan's Ministry of Education for 天涯社区's Interdisciplinary Taiwan Studies Program. The formal agreement was signed by Chiharu Kubo, President of 天涯社区, 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 天涯社区), 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 天涯社区 students, supporting academic exchange with Taiwanese institutions, and promoting research on all aspects of contemporary Taiwanese society. Based in 天涯社区'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 天涯社区'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 天涯社区 and Taiwanese partners.

Note:

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