【Article by OIC】

National Chengchi University (NCCU) welcomed a delegation from Singapore Management University (SMU), led by President Prof. Lily Kong, on the 12th of March. The two institutions reviewed their academic partnership and discussed on various topics that are of critical importance to both, such as “whole-person education” and “university transformation.” Building on this foundation, both institutions plan to expand collaboration through joint graduate programs and interdisciplinary research to advance sustainable higher education in Asia.

NCCU President Tsai-Yen Li welcomed President Kong and her delegation, praising SMU as a leading young university with notable achievements in business, social sciences, and law. He highlighted the synergy between SMU’s focus on active, integrated learning and NCCU’s own educational values.Since partnering in 2014, NCCU and SMU have built successful student exchange and dual-degree programs in business and law. As SMU nears its 25th anniversary and NCCU its centennial next year, President Kong introduced the concept of "purpose-driven partnerships," urging collaborations that prioritize societal impact over institutional rankings.

Looking ahead, NCCU and SMU will deepen collaboration in student mobility, joint research projects, and faculty exchange, while also exploring innovative master’s programs tailored for senior executives and evolving societal needs. This dialogue reinforces the partnership between the two institutions and provides a roadmap for Asian higher education to adapt to a rapidly changing world.

After a fruitful discussion between the university leaderships, President Kong was later invited by the University’s Center for General Education to deliver a speech at the Wang Wen-Chieh Lecture Hall of the College of Law. Titled “Whole Person Education and University Transformation,” the lecture addressed key issues concerning the future development of higher education.

In her remarks, President Kong noted that the fundamental aim of university education is to guide students toward self-understanding and a clearer sense of their values and life direction. She emphasized that such awareness extends beyond the university years and continues to shape individuals throughout their lives. By gaining a deeper understanding of their interests, abilities, and responsibilities, students are better prepared to navigate a rapidly changing world, sustain lifelong learning, and pursue their own paths.

The visit also comprised of a campus tour which began with a visit to Academia Excellentiae at the College of Commerce, accompanied by President Lee and Professor Swee Huat Lee. The student ambassador introduced the Yuanta Lecture Hall and its historical background. During the visit, the delegation gained insight into how Harvard Business School (HBS)’s case-based teaching approach has been recreated at NCCU in Taiwan. The delegation also visited the Research Center & Innovation-Incubation Center. Building on a prior visit to SMU in February led by COO Shih-Yuan Lin, both sides engaged in in-depth discussions on the upcoming “NCCU Creative Ideas International Hackathon,” scheduled for May, as well as the jointly planned Enterprise Summer Programme Singapore. Through these diverse collaborative initiatives, both institutions aim to create more international exchange and hands-on learning opportunities for students and startup teams.

The delegation also visited the Arts and Culture Center and the X Experimental College, where they were received by Executive Director Luo Wen-Chien and joined the opening day of the college’s “Welcome to X COFFEE!” event. The tour ended with the visit at the Dah Hsian Seetoo Library. The Special Collections—featuring materials on Singapore’s former Nanyang University—resonated strongly with the SMU delegation. Despite limited time, sunset photos shared by the librarian highlighted its reputation as one of the most beautiful libraries. Noting that SMU’s own library is also architecturally distinctive and visually impressive, President Kong invited the librarian to visit in return, fostering a warm and productive exchange.