The UGent delegation visited National Chengchi University, National Taiwan University, Academia Sinica, National Sun Yat-sen University, National Ping Tung University of Science and Technology, and National Cheng Kung University. During these visits the delegation consolidated existing contacts, for example by renewing UGent’s agreements with Academia Sinica and the Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts, and they also explored new opportunities for collaboration, such as the creation of joint PhD programs.

The Ministry of Education hosted a banquet for the UGent delegation on November 4. Professor de Paepe exchanged views on intensifying collaboration in the areas of education and research with the Director-General for International and Cross-strait Education, Dr. Yang Min-Ling. On the same occasion, she also spoke with Dr. Tseng Shu-hsien, Director-General of National Central Library, who was planning to visit Ghent to host the opening ceremony of the Taiwan Resource Center in UGent in mid-December.

The delegation considered their trip was a success. They were impressed by Taiwan’s high quality education and research and its high investment in internationalization. They believe there will be many opportunities for furthering enhancing ties with institutions in Taiwan.