With the current staggering exchange rate between Euro and Taiwanese dollar, traveling to Europe has become somewhat unaffordable to some of us. For those contemplating going on a summer course in Europe this year, there is a solution at hand. Why not consider joining a summer course learning about issues of European Integration and economy at TKU? It’s a joint program organized by Bonn University, Germany, and the Graduate Institute of European Studies (GIES) of TKU for the period between July 16 and August 3 at Tamkang University. Thanks to the generous funding from DAAD (Deutsche Akademische Austausch Dienst, German Academic Exchange Service) it’s free of charge except food and board. Registration begins on May 31.

Dr. Tzou Chong-ko, the Chair of the GIES, comments that as the economy in the Euro zone has grown steadily, making it an important player in the world market, it is of great interest to people in Taiwan to learn more about countries in the EU. Since this program will be the first of its kind in Taiwan, Dr. Tzou urges students to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity during which courses on EU policy, integration, and economy will be taught by well-established scholars from Europe and Taiwan.

These scholars include Dr. Ludger Kuhnhardt and Dr. Cordula Janowski from Bonn University, who in fact suggested to Dr. Tzou about setting up such a program when they came to TKU for an international conference held by the GIES two years ago. Together with the GIES, they secured 25,000 Euro funding from DAAD to see to the running of this program.

Scholars who also teach on the course are Mr. Detlef Boldt, the Director of the German Institute in Taipei, Dr. Stefan Rummel, the Head of DAAD-Information Center, Taipei, together with Dr. Chu Chi Chieh, a professor from the Department of Graduate Institute of Political Economy, National Cheng Kung University, and Dr. Tzou from TKU. All classes will be taught in English. Apart from classes, there will be forums, and visits to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the Taiwan External Trade Development Council

Students who attend three fourth of the course will receive a certificate of participation upon the completion of the course. On top of that, students can earn 4 credits joint-issued by TKU and Bonn University. Both certificate and credits are recognized in Taiwan and Germany. The course is open to undergraduates, post-graduates and professionals from related fields. For details please contact Ms. Chen Ching-fen at 02-26215656, ext: 2703. ( ~Ying-hsueh Hu )