by Christian Schoppmeyer /
OIC Campus Reporter

The Canadian delegation, among them the President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ottawa, Jacques Frémont, and Project Officer Vincent Lacroix-Cuerrier, realized their long-awaited visit to National Chengchi University on April 25. Warmly welcomed by NCCU President Prof. Edward Chow (周行一) and Dean of the Office of International Affairs Prof. Mei-Fen Chen (陳美芬), both sides took part in the momentous signing ceremony. The agreement provides an opportunity for both institutions to extend their cooperation beyond the former contract between NCCU's College of Commerce and the Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa.

President Edward Chow expressed his desire to establish future exchange of students and faculty members at university level and hence providing individuals from all fields with the opportunity to explore each other's institutions. President Jacques Frémont highlighted the importance of collaborations between different institutions and fields, and mentioned his deep admiration for NCCU's green campus and beauty of natural scenery.

Prior to the attendance of the signing ceremony, President Frémont and Project Officer Lacroix-Cuerrier engaged in a variety of different activities on campus. Instead of going the conventional route of embarking on a campus tour, the focus was clearly set on allowing for interactions with NCCU students. Local students from the department of law, psychology, and aboriginal studies therefore joined the representatives from the University of Ottawa in an informal discussion session on topics regarding the students' research interests, perspectives and future career aspirations.

In addition, President Frémont also actively participated in a class session of the “Debates on Globalization” Seminar held by the IMPIS program. Students, professors and the Canadian delegation alike enthusiastically used the opportunity to share their thoughts on the subject of income equality and attitudes towards migrant workers. In this respect, President Frémont interestingly identified education as the key to counter negative attitudes and discrimination towards foreign workers. Given the great amount of interactions on multiple levels between the representatives of UO and NCCU during the visit, both sides have deepened their mutual understanding and relationship.

The University of Ottawa, the largest English-French bilingual university in the world, represents one of the leading members of the prestigious U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities and thus depicts a promising partner for future joint research endeavors and an increase in student exchanges. While Canada is notoriously known for its cold winters, Ottawa itself, being the nation's capital, is according to President Frémont nevertheless a warm city despite its low temperatures.