【Article by  Office of International Cooperation】

Momentum between National Chengchi University (NCCU) and the University of St Andrews has steadily grown following a delegation visit led by NCCU President Tsai-Yen Li to Scotland in early September. At the invitation of the Ministry of Education, NCCU officially hosted a return delegation led by Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Dame Sally Mapstone DBE FRSE on the evening of November 2. The visit marks a key milestone in deepening ties between the two institutions and lays a strong foundation for future UK-Taiwan academic collaboration.

The St Andrews delegation included Principal Dame Sally Mapstone; Professor Brad MacKay, Deputy Principal and Vice-Principal (International Strategy and External Relations); Ms. Samantha Lister, Director of the Global Office; and Dr. Hsinyen Lai, Associate Lecturer in the School of International Relations. The guests were warmly received by an NCCU host delegation led by President Tsai-Yen Li, alongside Vice President for International Cooperation Mei-Fen Chen, University Librarian Wen-Hung Liao, Dean of the College of International Affairs Yeh-Chung Lu, Director of the Chinese Language Center Li-Hsin Hsu, and Director of the EMI Resource Center Mei-Chuan Wei. The itinerary featured a scenic loop around NCCU’s hillside campus, a guided walkthrough of the Dah-Hsian Seetoo Library, and a collaborative dinner reception.

Upon their arrival, President Li accompanied the delegation on a driving tour of the university's upper campus before heading to Dah-Hsian Library, where University Librarian Wen-Hung Liao led a tour of the facility. Dame Sally expressed great admiration for the library’s architectural design and scholarly ambience, commending its seamless blend of expansive open spaces, quiet study zones, and modern amenities—including soundproof discussion rooms and interactive learning commons—as an outstanding model for modern university libraries.

At the dinner reception, discussions centered on a shared conviction in the vital role of language learning and the humanities. NCCU currently offers instruction in 23 languages, a commitment praised by Dame Sally. She observed that while a number of UK institutions have scaled back language programs due to falling demand or the rise of generative AI, St Andrews has deliberately expanded its language provision. She stressed that "a machine knowing a language differs fundamentally from a person speaking one," reaffirming that language acquisition remains essential for deep cultural insight and contextual understanding.

Both leadership teams also exchanged insights on digital innovation and flexible degree pathways. NCCU highlighted its self-designed interdisciplinary "University Bachelor" degree track, alongside research initiatives applying AI and data analytics to the humanities and social sciences. In turn, the St Andrews team shared how custom AI-supported tools have optimized their complex course timetabling and student admissions operations.

NCCU also shared its historic tradition in public service and diplomacy, having cultivated over 270 ambassadors, nine foreign ministers, and numerous heads of state and government—a legacy that resonated strongly with the visiting delegation. Building on the dialogue begun during NCCU’s visit to Scotland in September, both institutions identified international relations, China studies, language pedagogy, and technology-enabled research as promising launching pads for future faculty collaboration and student mobility.

Closing the evening, Dame Sally extended her sincere thanks to NCCU for its warm hospitality, noting that despite the visit's brief timeframe, the discussions were exceptionally fruitful. President Li reaffirmed NCCU’s delight in welcoming the St Andrews leadership so swiftly after visiting Scotland, expressing confidence that the meeting will serve as a catalyst for a lasting and impactful global partnership.