On December 2, the TKU Graduate Institute of European Studies held the EU Soft Power Symposium. The symposium invited 14 scholars from various academic fields to present dissertations on “soft power”.

The Director of the Graduate Institute of European Studies, Dr. Chiu-ching kuo, noted that “soft power” is a central theme in research on the European Union. Soft power, he explained, refers to the process of using non-aggressive methods to export the culture, laws, and institutions of a region to other areas and cultures around the world. An example in the context of the EU is the way in which Europe’s adoption of an integrated currency system, the Euro, has influenced Asia to consider adopting a similar system of currency.

Director Kuo added: “Tamkang University was the first university to set up an EU Graduate Institute. With over 40 years of academic experience, the TKU Graduate Institute of European Studies plays a pioneering role in the promotion of academic studies!”