In an online endeavor unique among Taiwanese universities, Tamkang University has initiated an Online Executive Master’s Program in Asian Studies. Given the demographics of the students and the scope of languages involved, the master’s program is the first of its kind in Taiwan. It has drawn an enrollment of 15 students from eight countries in Central and South America, including Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Paraguay.

The course will be delivered primarily in Spanish using the “Moodle” online course system and the Adobe Connect simultaneous online course software. The scope of issues touched on include diplomatic relations between Asia and Latin America, as well as Asian culture, society, politics, economics, and military strategies.

The first stage of the course (March 5-9) requires students to visit the Tamsui Campus, Taiwan, and undergo intensive training and orientation. This initial phase involves meeting the teachers who will be administering the course, becoming familiar with the Tamkang campus and surrounds, and a practical lesson on using the “Moodle” online system. As part of this first phase, the students arrived at the Tamsui Campus today (March 5) to attend a Welcome Luncheon. The luncheon featured various dignitaries, including the President of TKU, Dr. Flora Chia-I Chang, and locally based foreign diplomats from Nicaragua, Paraguay, and the Dominican Republic.

The Director of the Graduate Institute of the Americas, Dr. Chen Hsiao-chuan, explained: “This course has come at the most ideal time, in the century that will belong to Asia and will see the rise of Latin America”.