As Dr. Tai took over the new position, he indicated confidently “TKU will work hard to be a model for other private universities in the matters of internationalization. She will always run ahead of others!” Actually, TKU’s achievement in internationalization outshines many national universities.
Dr. Tai Wan-chin got his Ph.D. from the Graduate Institute of American Studies, TKU, and had served in TKU since 1989. Dr. Tai’s research areas include Negotiation Theories, Case Studies of American Diplomatic Negotiation, Theory of International Relations, and Chinese-Russian Relations. With his former experience as Dean of College of International Studies, chair of Graduate Institute of American Studies, and of Graduate Institute of Russia Studies ( presently, Russian & Slavic Studies), he is very versed in international relations. He asserts to increase TKU’s global recognition by creating relationship with new sister universities, signing contracts of double degrees in master programs, increasing the number of abroad studying students year by year, and upgrading both the quantity and quality of those students.
Vice President Tai remarks amiably that “TKU owns distinguished and solid foundation for internationalization: We have six foreign language departments (English, Japanese, German, French, Spanish, and Russian), eight institutes for international studies (European, American, Latin American, Russian & Slavic, Southeast Asia, Japanese, China, International Affairs and Strategic Studies), a special English class in Dept. of International Trade, and the system of sending all junior students of Lanyang campus for abroad studies.”
Dr. Tai indicates the promoting internationalization is very crucial in that by the exchanges of teachers and students, our research and teaching staffs can work at the same pace with those from internationally acclaimed universities, and out students will be nurtured with global perspectives so that they will be more competitive in their future careers. Presently, TKU acquaints with 97 sister universities, spreading across five continents. Among them, there are many worldly famous ones, such as Universite De Paris-Sorbonne, University of Vienna, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, and The University of Maryland. The major criteria for engaging with new sister universities, Dr. Tai believe, lies in the cooperation for double degreed programs, which is emphasized in the future competition. Nevertheless, TKU students’ expectation will also be taken into consideration.
Presently TKU has double degrees master programs with Universite of Jean Moulin, Lyon 3, France, and there are many graduate students who have completed the programs. It is expected to sign contract of such a program with Washington State University in this year. Those students of such a program will get both degrees from Tamkang University and a sister university when they graduate.
Vice President Tai recommends to those who interest in double degrees to pass the foreign language test as soon as possible, so that they will not miss the chance for scholarship. Dr. Tai also encourage students to go abroad as young as possible, for in that time their mind is more absorbing for new information. As for those who are yet able to go abroad, they are urged to strengthen their foreign language ability by reading classics in the original foreign language, so that they will not be left behind.
Dr. Tai adds that there is space for more innovation in the strategies for internationalization. Creative ideas will be derived from the close communication between the teachers and students of TKU. He also plans to host cross-cultural summer camp to attract international students from distinguished universities to Taiwan to investigate characteristics of Taiwan as well as the latest development of globalization. ( ~Chen Chi-szu )
