PUNE (Maharashtra): Taiwan has launched its first Taiwan Studies Project in India to offer studies to Indian students in liberal arts, history, politics, society, economy, films, or anything related to Taiwan in addition to social sciences, politics, and technology.
A memorandum of understanding to this effect was signed between the Education Division, Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre (TECC), and FLAME University on the latter’s premises on November 29, 2021, in Pune.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Education had initiated the Taiwan Study Project in 2003 to work with some of the top universities in the world including Japan’s Waseda University, Boston University, UC Berkley University, Cambridge University, etc. The project aims at expanding the knowledge of international scholars about Taiwan.
The memorandum was signed by the Director of Education Division, TECC, Peters Chen and Prof. Roger Liu of the FLAME University, in the presence of Dr. Dishan Kamdar, Vice-Chancellor, FLAME University, and Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre Representative Ambassador Baushaun Ger, Deputy Representative Dr. Mumin Chen, Secretary Ms. Jen-Chun Tsai, Science Division Director Dr. Chin-Tsan Wang, Assistant Director Ms. Ellie Chiang, Ms. Manjeet Kripalani, Executive Director, Gateway House, and many scholars.
According to TECC officials, FLAME University’s research theme focuses on democratic governance which India and Taiwan both share the same ideology. The countries share a viewpoint that democracy is not only restricted to politics but plays an important role even amidst the pandemic and other public policies too.
During the roundtable organized by Dr. Roger Liu, scholars and experts including the Gateway House, discussed political, educational, and technological development and its lessons for Indo-Taiwan relations.
The Indian representative of Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre, Ambassador Baushaun Ger appreciated the leadership of the university for their effort in providing a liberal education. He congratulated FLAME university to have Taiwan Studies Project from now on and expected to have more academic links with Taiwan. He also spoke about the possible actions that can be taken in the future to strengthen the ties between the two countries.
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The VC of Flame University Dr. Dishan Kamdar thanked the delegates from Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre and other guests for their presence from their busy schedule. He spoke about how liberal arts is emerging as a new era of the education system.
He stated that liberal arts is a holistic education system that provides development to the students. He is glad that FLAME University is the first Taiwan Studies Project in India. He stated that getting to know about a different country, their values, their system, etc. can be a good learning experience and hopes that it turns out to be beneficial for scholars and students.
In the roundtable, the Education Division Director Peters Chen spoke about how the education collaboration can be beneficial In the future for maintaining good relations between both countries. He also stated that the university has done a commendable job in providing quality education for the students and the city Pune has lived up to the title “Oxford of the east”.
The FLAME University, Pune has already been hosting Mandarin teachers from Taiwan for teaching Mandarin to their students. With this new project today, there will be more seminars, workshops, and publications in the near future.
