An MOU on general and vocational education and training was signed anew, in view of the success of the collaboration over the past five years. Many programs have been established, for example the Austrian side funds a week-long seminar for German teachers from Taiwan, while the Ministry of Education of Taiwan funds a program for Austrian teachers of Chinese. Both sides will encourage cooperation and communication in the field of teacher training, and exchanges of related experience and expertise. During the signing ceremony, the officials from both Ministries of Education expressed their hope that the renewal of the MOU will help foster even stronger ties between Austria and Taiwan in these areas.

In the higher education field, there are already more than 80 university partnership agreements between universities in Austria and in Taiwan, evidence of active interest in cooperation in both countries, especially between applied science and technology related universities in the past two years. The second MOU signed is the first signed with Austria in the field of higher education. It is to promote educational and academic exchanges between institutions, students, teachers, and researchers. The Deputy Minister Dr. Chen and high ranking officials of the Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy in Austria all emphasized the importance of exchanges of information and experience, such as at the first and second Austria-Taiwan Vocational Higher Education Forums, in 2015 and in 2016 respectively. This MOU commits Taiwan and Austria to working together more closely. Collaborative activities enhance better mutual understanding and both sides are confident that their efforts and commitment will foster even stronger ties.

During his stay in Vienna, Dr. Chen took time to have lunch with students from Taiwan who are studying in Vienna. On the second day, he visited Dr. Stefan Zotti, the Director General of the Austrian Agency for International Cooperation in Education and Research and learned more about international exchange programs and student mobility in Austria. Dr. Chen also visited the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), and met with the vice rector, Dr. Barbara Hinterstoisser, and attended a presentation at the University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien given by the rector Dr. Fritz Schmöllebeck, and visited the Industry 4.0 Digital Factory.