A Taiwan-Germany higher education policy forum for university directors, presidents and vice chancellors wrapped up Nov. 5 at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology in Taipei City, spotlighting government efforts to foster deeper academic cooperation between the two sides.
Organized by Taipei-based Foundation for International Cooperation in Higher Education of Taiwan and the German Rectors’ Conference, the one-day event explored the latest higher education policies and trends in Taiwan and Germany. It also featured seminars on topics such as collaboration in teaching and research, safeguarding autonomy and academic freedom, and fostering cooperation between universities and society.
At the forum opening, Ministry of Education Political Deputy Minister Lio Mon-chi said quality learning and innovation are essential foundations for economic development. Taiwan and Germany should therefore seek mutual benefit through robust collaboration between educators and policymakers, he added.
According to Thomas Prinz, director general of German Institute Taipei, higher education institutions play a vital role in furthering bilateral exchanges. Universities can particularly benefit from cooperation on research and talent development, he said.
To date, tertiary education establishments from the two countries have concluded 462 cooperation agreements. Last academic year a total of 1,351 students from Germany were registered to study in Taiwan, the second highest among EU countries, according to the latest MOE statistics. (RAY-E)
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