(A group photo with AU administrators and the delegates from the high schools in the MOU signing ceremony)

Asia University (AU) launches its 3+2+2 international dual degree programs by establishing a trilateral collaboration with domestic high schools and AU’s sister universities overseas.  On January 25, 2021, Dr. Jeffrey J. P. Tsai, President of Asia University, met with Mrs. Siang-yin Lin, principal of Kaohsiung Girls’ Senior High School (KSSH), Mr. Fu-chai Ho, principal of Taichung Municipal Wen-Hua Senior High School (WHSH), and Mr. Yao-wen Hsu, principal of Taichung Second Senior High School(TSSHS), in the MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) signing ceremony promoting the so called “Dragon Project” which aims to recruit talented high school students to study at Asia University for two years and then to continue their junior and senior years at AU’s sister universities in the USA, Canada, Australia and France. Upon completing their studies, the students will be awarded two degree diplomas from both AU and its partner universities.

In his opening remarks, President Tsai mentioned that the number of Taiwanese students who study abroad is relatively small..  To address this issue, AU is willing to promote this dual degree program to boost the internationalization of Taiwan’s higher education by serving as a bridge between domestic high schools and internationally renowned universities.  President Tsai also introduced AU’s “318 Project” for internationalization to the delegates of the three high schools: every AU student is required to learn three languages, namely Chinese, English and a programming language, and to go abroad once in four years’ time via eight different pathways — that is, dual degree programs, semester exchange students, summer/winter vacation study, internship, international volunteers, international competition and international conferences, as well as through internships in the countries proposed by the Taiwan New Southbound Policy.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, AU has already made remarkable advances in the World University Rankings, as announced by THE, the US News and World Report, ARWU, and QS. Currently, AU is ranked No. 10 among 160 universities in Taiwan. President Tsai also pointed out that AU outshines many other universities in the survey of “TOP 20 Excellent Universities in Taiwan”, an evaluation conducted by the prestigious magazine Cheers, AU ranks No. 5 among all the universities in Taiwan. The high standings from both international and domestic evaluation institutes clearly indicate the quality of teaching and research at AU.  Taking internationalization as one of university’s missions, AU is now committed to launching the new “Dragon Project” to cultivate international talents by collaborating with local high schools and renowned overseas partner universities.

In her speech, Mrs. Siang-yin Lin, principal of Kaohsiung Girls’ Senior High School (KSSH), expressed her gratitude to AU for including KSSH as a project partner and she said she has high expectations to the success of this project since AU promises to offer academic assistance such as AP courses and language training to her students.

(President Tsai (central) shown the signed MOU with Principal Ho and Principal Lin)

Mr. Fu-chai Ho, principal of Taichung Municipal Wen-Hua Senior High School (WHSH), in his talks, also observed that, with AU’s academic support and international network, his school can extend its international connections to more oversea universities, and he pledged to encourage talented students to participate in this program and to continue their study overseas.

Mr. Yao-wen Hsu, principal of Taichung Second Senior High School (TSSHS), said that AU has annually attracted some 20 TSSHS students to study at the College of Medical and Health Sciences and the College of Information and Electrical Engineering.  He was excited to know that this project can assist his students to study at Ontario Tech University and Victoria University in Canada, Montpellier Business School in France, Northern Illinois University in USA and Sydney University in Australia.

(President Tsai (central) shown the signed MOU with Principal Yao-wen Hsu)

Dr. Yinghuei Chen, Dean of the International College, Asia University, stated that this “Dragon Project” is a completely new idea and its success depends upon the close cooperation among local high schools, AU and its partner universities overseas. He is optimistic about the development of this project since the three parties involved have demonstrated strong motivation and good will to make this innovative project happen efficiently. As the proposed programs have ignited the zeal for internationalization among local high schools, Taipei Municipal Chenggon High School and St. Dominic Catholic High School in Kaohsiung also plan to join the project and sign the MOA with AU immediately after the Chinese New Year.