President Flora C. I. Chang was invited with some 50 presidents from Japan, Korea, Russia, People’s Republic of China, Mongolia, to attend the “Northeast Asian Forum of University Presidents” (NAFUP), May 21 to 24, 2006, in Korea. The topic of this forum is “The Role of University in Constructing a Northeast Asia Community.” The economic development and the productivity of the Northeast Asia are expanding more and more; however, the countries in this area are suffering the problem of national secession. President Flora C. I. Chang indicated that “universities play a important role in directing the youth—the managers of future society—in facing the coming problems.”

President Chang added that the proceeding of the second day took place at Kaesong, to the north of Panmunjom, Korea, the Truce Village between the North and South Korean Borders. Five university presidents from North Korea shared opinions about how to promote the peace and prosperity of Northeast Asia.

Tamkang University is one of the initiators of NAFUP. This year the forum is hosted by Kyungnam University, one of TKU sister schools. President Chang took the chance to visit Dr. Jae Kyu Park, President of Kyungnam University, and exchanged opinions about the details of academic cooperation. (~ Chi-szu Chen )