【Article by OIC】
National Chengchi University (NCCU) finalized the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego) on August 28, 2025. The two institutions will embark on substantial cooperation across multiple fields, promoting cross-border research and talent exchange, thereby laying a solid foundation for a long-term partnership.

The MOU was signed by NCCU President Tsai-Yen Li. The main academic liaisons for the agreement will be Prof. Victor Shih, Director of the 21st Century China Center (21CCC), and Prof.r Ping-hui Liao, Founding Director of Center for Taiwan Studies atUC San Diego, with NCCU represented by Prof. I-Ning Chen, Vice President for International Cooperation. 21CCC is expected to visit NCCU’s Institute of International Relations in October or November this year to initiate dialogue for future collaboration. UCSD also agreed to provide free on-campus housing for visiting NCCU researchers conducting exchanges at UC San Diego during the summer, demonstrating concrete support for bilateral academic engagement.

2025, President Li led a delegation including Prof. I-Ning Chen,Vice President for International Cooperation, Dr. ClaireTao, Senior Regional Manager, Prof. Hsin-Hsien Wang, Director, Institute of East Asian Studies andProf.r Hsin-Shih Wang, Department of Economics to visit UC San Diego. The NCCU delegation toured the Geisel Library, ARMOR Lab, the North Torrey Pines Living and Learning Neighborhood (NTLLN), and the Design and Innovation Building, experiencing UC San Diego’s campus planning and innovative learning environment first-hand Additionally, delegates also met representatives and scholars from 21CCC, the Taiwan Studies Center, the School of Global Policy and Strategy, and the School of Arts and Humanities to explore potential areas of cooperation.

During the visit, VP Chen introduced NCCU’s achievements in internationalization, while Professors Hsin-Hsien Wang and Hsin-Shih Wang shared their observations on international relations, China studies, and U.S.-China-Taiwan interactions, engaging in in-depth discussions with UC San Diego scholars. The delegation concluded the visit with a meeting with UC San Diego Chancellor Dr. Pradeep K. Khosla, where the warm and fruitful exchanges laid a firm groundwork for the eventual signing of the MOU.

The signing of the MOU between NCCU and UC San Diego not only symbolizes the formal establishment of an institutionalized partnership but also demonstrates the shared commitment of both universities to advancing interdisciplinary research, faculty and student exchanges, and international collaboration.