National Chengchi University and the University of British Columbia Strengthen Transpacific Academic Cooperation Through UAAT Graduate Workshop and Special Lecture

Front left to right: Dr. Christiane Hoppmann, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts, UBC; Dr. Wan-Ying Yang, Dean of CSS, NCCU; Dr. Clare Crowston, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, UBC; Dr. Hsiao-Pong Liu, Associate Dean of CSS, NCCU. Back left to right: Dr. An-Ting Cheng, Director of IDAS; Dr. Sun Ryung Park, Research Fellow at APFC & TSE; Dr. Soo Yeon Kim, Associate Professor at the SPPGA, UBC; Dr. Wen-Chieh Wu, Director of IMES; Dr. Yves Tiberghien, Director Emeritus of the Institute of Asian Research, UBC, and Chair Professor of the IDAS; Dr. Kuang-Ta Lo, Associate Dean of CSS, NCCU. (Photo by CSS)
Front left to right: Dr. Christiane Hoppmann, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts, UBC; Dr. Wan-Ying Yang, Dean of CSS, NCCU; Dr. Clare Crowston, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, UBC; Dr. Hsiao-Pong Liu, Associate Dean of CSS, NCCU. Back left to right: Dr. An-Ting Cheng, Director of IDAS; Dr. Sun Ryung Park, Research Fellow at APFC & TSE; Dr. Soo Yeon Kim, Associate Professor at the SPPGA, UBC; Dr. Wen-Chieh Wu, Director of IMES; Dr. Yves Tiberghien, Director Emeritus of the Institute of Asian Research, UBC, and Chair Professor of the IDAS; Dr. Kuang-Ta Lo, Associate Dean of CSS, NCCU. (Photo by CSS)
Dr. Wan-Ying Yang, Dean of the College of Social Sciences, introduced Dr. Clare Crowston, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of British Columbia, encouraging attending students to take full advantage of the opportunity to enhance their academic literacy and research perspectives through research discussions and academic consultations. (Photo by IDAS)
Dr. Wan-Ying Yang, Dean of the College of Social Sciences, introduced Dr. Clare Crowston, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of British Columbia, encouraging attending students to take full advantage of the opportunity to enhance their academic literacy and research perspectives through research discussions and academic consultations. (Photo by IDAS)
Dr. Soo Yeon Kim and the participants listened attentively to the students’ research presentations and engaged in lively discussions and exchanges, generating stimulating insights and perspectives on their research. (Photo by IDAS)
Dr. Soo Yeon Kim and the participants listened attentively to the students’ research presentations and engaged in lively discussions and exchanges, generating stimulating insights and perspectives on their research. (Photo by IDAS)
Dr. Soo Yeon Kim shared key insights on academic writing and journal submission strategies with students, encouraging them to actively participate in international conferences to deepen their scholarly engagement and critical academic thinking. (Photo by IDAS)
Dr. Soo Yeon Kim shared key insights on academic writing and journal submission strategies with students, encouraging them to actively participate in international conferences to deepen their scholarly engagement and critical academic thinking. (Photo by IDAS)
Date : 2026-05-22 Department : International Doctoral Program in Asia-Pacific Studies
【Article by IDAS】
The College of Social Sciences of National Chengchi University (NCCU) and the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs of the University of British Columbia (UBC) have formally deepened their longstanding academic relationship through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at expanding research collaboration, academic exchange, and institutional partnership between Taiwan and Canada. The agreement marks an important step toward strengthening transpacific cooperation in higher education and advancing collaborative research in the social sciences.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Dr. Clare Haru Crowston, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at UBC, and Dr. Wan-Ying Yang, Dean of the College of Social Sciences at NCCU. Building on years of growing cooperation between the two institutions, the agreement establishes a structured framework for broader scholarly exchange and long-term institutional collaboration.

As part of this initiative, a UBC delegation visited Taiwan to advance discussions on future cooperation and joint academic activities. The delegation included Dr. Clare Haru Crowston, Associate Dean Dr. Christiane Hoppmann, Dr. Yves Tiberghien, Dr. Soo Yeon Kim, and Dr. Sun Ryung Park. The delegation was received by Dean Dr. Wan-Ying Yang, Associate Dean Dr. Hsiao-Pong Liu, and Director of IDAS Dr. An-Ting Cheng at NCCU.

A major milestone in this emerging partnership was marked by the special lecture held on 12 May 2026 and the inaugural graduate student research workshop held on 14 May 2026, both led by Dr. Soo Yeon Kim, Associate Professor at the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs at UBC, and organized by the International Doctoral Program in Asia-Pacific Studies (IDAS). The events reflected the shared commitment of both universities to fostering collaborative academic engagement, promoting intellectual exchange, and supporting the development of early-career researchers.

The agreement is expected to facilitate a broad range of future initiatives, including joint research projects, faculty and student exchanges, visiting scholar programs, postdoctoral collaborations, and expanded institutional partnerships across departments. This partnership reflects a broader effort to strengthen intellectual and institutional linkages between Taiwan and Canada. By fostering deeper cooperation among researchers, faculty, and students, NCCU and UBC aim to contribute to the development of a more connected and globally engaged academic community.