To deepen relations by facilitating the EU to gain further understanding of Taiwan’s culture, economy and politics, the Ministry of Education invited 18 officials from the European Commission and its member countries to undergo research and language learning in Taiwan, Aug.14-23.
Launched in 2007, the EU Officials Taiwan Research Delegation Project was suspended from 2019 to 2022 due to the pandemic. After the easing of border restrictions, the activity was resumed this year.
The project consists of two parts: Taiwan Study Seminar for EU Officials, organized by National Chengchi University and the 2023 EU Officials Mandarin Training Program in Taiwan, coordinated by Fu Jen Catholic University. This year’s 18 officials come from 11 member countries including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Spain, with the participants’ fields of expertise spanning climate, culture, diplomacy, economy, education, environment, health and technology.
MOE Political Deputy Minister Lio Mon-chi said that Taiwan and the EU enjoy strong educational exchange with over 25,000 EU students studying in Taiwan and over 30,000 Taiwan students pursuing education in EU countries over the last five years. 2,911 academic exchange agreements have also been signed between universities in Taiwan and those in EU member countries, Lio added.
The EU administrators’ itinerary included visits to MOFA, MOEA’s Bureau of Foreign Trade, the European Economic and Trade Office and the European Union Center in Taiwan. The project expands Taiwan’s cultural, economic, educational, and political partnership with EU and raises the country’s international profile, the MOE added. (POC-E)
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