On Wednesday, 3 July 2024, the Thammasat University Library welcomed a group of students and government representatives from Taiwan, for a library visit.
The TU Library collection includes many books about different aspects of the life and history of Taiwan.
Among many examples of academic exchange between Thammasat University and Taiwan, last year Thammasat University discussed an academic collaboration with National Taiwan Sport University:
The President and the Director of OIA from the National Taiwan Sport University (NTSU) visited the Rangsit campus of Thammasat University on 24 August 2023 to bolster the current collaboration between them. The Taiwanese guests were greeted and hosted by the Assistant to the Rector for International Affairs, Lecturer Siripatra Patchanee, and the Dean and executives from the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences.
Both sides shared the view that they needed to strengthen the cooperation and partnership under the current faculty-level agreement in areas of Sport Science, such as the student exchange program and scholarship opportunities.
Before a Thai-style luncheon hosted by the TU side at the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, the delegation was taken on a tour of the Department of Sport Science and Sport Development at the Main Stadium by lecturers from the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences.
Earlier this year, graduate students from the TU Faculty of Law visited Taiwan:
LL.M. Students visited Taiwan for a study trip
The Faculty of Law, Thammasat University, financially supported students from the Master of Laws Program in International Law (Thai program) and Business Law (English program) to participate in a study trip to Taiwan from February 29 to March 3, 2024.
Activities of the study trip:
- National Human Rights Commission, Taiwan: Learning about human rights operations
- EVA Air: Studying safety standards and dealing with unruly passengers
- High Tech Investigation Center, Taiwan High Prosecutors Office: Learning about the use of technology for digital forensics and the work processes of Taiwanese prosecutors
- Taipei District Prosecutors Office: Studying the prosecutorial investigation process and victim protection
- Jing-Mei White Terror Memorial Park, National Human Rights Museum: Learning about the history of political prisoners, freedom of expression, and human rights of suspects
In 2019, a delegation from the Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Taiwanese government visited Thammasat University.
The TU Vice Rector for International Affairs, Associate Professor Kitti Prasirtsuk, PhD, along with executives from Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy and Faculty of Engineering, met with Mr. James Chang, Deputy Director-General, Department of Investment Services, Ministry of Economic Affairs and delegates from National Development Council, Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research, Taiwan and Taipei Economic and Culture office in Thailand. Both sides discussed how to publicize the opportunities to work at Taiwan to Thammasat students and graduates.
On 3 May 2018, Assoc. Professor Kitti Prasirtsuk, PhD, Vice Rector for International Affairs welcomed Dr.Tan-Sun Chen, Chairman, The Prospect Foundation (Taiwan) and representatives from education Institute to Thammasat University Tha Pracha. The purpose of this visit is discuss perspectives on Taiwan’s New South Bound Policy.
Also in 2018, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University and the College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Taiwan:
Associate Professor Dilok Piyayotai, Dean of Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University and delegates welcomed Prof. Jang-Yang CHANG, Dean, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Taiwan and delegates on an occasion of MOU signing ceremony between the two institutes.
In 2017, the Taiwan Ministry of Education posted a news report on its website:
Thammasat University will enhance educational collaboration with Taiwan
The rector of Thammasat University, Dr. Somkit Lertpaithoon hosted a luncheon at Royal Princess Hotel Lan Laung for Representative Kelly W. Hsieh and his colleagues at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand (TECO) on January 25, in appreciation of TECO’s assistance organizing a study visit to Taiwan for a delegation from Thammasat University in November, last year, led by the rector. At the luncheon, the rector expressed his gratitude and Thammasat University’s interest in further strengthening academic ties with universities in Taiwan.
The rector was accompanied on his study visit to Taiwan by the vice vector of the university, Dr. Pronchai Tarkulwaranont, who also serves Thailand as the Vice Minister of Industry. The luncheon was also attended by some of the many high-ranking university executives who had been in the delegation to Taiwan, such as Associate Professor Dr. Prapat Wangskarn, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering; Dr. Pravit Khaemasunan, Dean of the College of Innovation; Assistant Professor Dr. M.L. Pinitbhand Paribatra Director of International Studies in the Faculty of Political Science; and Associate Professor Dr. Dumrong Adunyarittigun, Dean of the Faculty of Liberal Arts.
Thammasat University is a well-known and highly respected comprehensive university in Thailand. Many of its alumni now hold high-ranking positions in the government and private sectors, showing the strong influence of the university on Thai society. Thammasat University is very keen on research and internationalization, and it would therefore like to set up partnerships with universities in Taiwan to undertake joint research, dual degree, and exchange programs.
The Thammasat University delegation visited National Taiwan University, National Sun Yat-sen University, and National Chengchi University last year, and these universities in Taiwan also expressed strong interest in establishing stronger partnerships.
During the luncheon, the rector, Dr. Somkit Lertpaithoon stated that he believed real exchange activities with universities in Taiwan will start very soon and this will benefit more faculty members and more students in each country.
In 2016, the Ministry of Education of Taiwan posted on its website:
Thammasat University Delegation Visits Taiwan to Discuss Further Education Collaboration
Taiwan and Thailand have a long history of collaboration in higher education encompassing almost all disciplines. More than 600 MOUs have been signed and many exchange activities have been undertaken between universities in these two countries, and Dr. Somkit Lertpaithoon, Rector of Thammasat University, one of the best known and most respected universities in Thailand, accepted an invitation from the Ministry of Education in Taiwan to lead a delegation to visit universities in Taiwan to further strengthen the academic ties.
The delegation visited Taiwan from November 23 to November 26, 2016, and visited National Taiwan University, National Sun Yat-sen University, and National Chengchi University.
On November 25, Dr. Somkit and his colleagues were received at National Sun Yat-sen University by Dr. Cheng Ying-Yao, president of the university. The two universities share common interests in marine science and Southeast Asian studies and Dr. Somkit and Dr. Cheng both expressed strong interest in organizing some faculty and student exchange programs.
At National Chengchi University the Thammasat University visitors focused on discussing practical aspects of dual-degree programs. For example, under such programs a Thai student enrolled at Thammasat University who has been studying for two and a half years could study in National Chengchi University in Taiwan for one and a half years and then get a degree from each of the universities.
The delegation included Dr. Pronchai Tarkulwaranont, the vice rector of Thammasat University, who is also the Vice Minister of Industry. He expressed his interest in the academic and industrial cooperation in Taiwan and in using aspects as a model for Thailand to use to improve the partnerships and collaboration between universities and industries, and the Ministry of Education has high hopes of strengthening the academic ties between Thammasat University and universities in Taiwan.
(All images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)