1. Offered six Taiwan-related courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels

2. Signed multiple MOUs with leading institutions in Taiwan:

   1. National Chengchi University (NCCU)

   2. National Chung Hsing University (NCHU)

   3. National Taiwan University (NTU, in progress).

3. Delegation to Taiwan, strengthening institutional ties and planning dual degree pathways.

4. Organized the North Texas–Taiwan Technology Summit 2025, connecting academia, industry, and

   government around shared challenges and opportunities in technology

5. Hosted the Taiwan Research Academy (TRA) 2025, bringing together 16 emerging scholars and international experts for intensive training, AI-assisted simulations

6. Contributed scholarly output including conference presentations, a journal submission, and

   expanded research on Taiwan’s political communication, digital governance, and public opinion

Background

• Taiwan Fellowship in 2018, invitation to speech and workshops in Taiwan universities

• National Chung Hsing University in Taichung was frequent host.

• First exchange program MOU in 2019

• Dual Degree Program in Data Science/Social Data Analytics and Research

• Dual Degree Program in Master Program in Public Administration

• Other MOU/Exchange programs include:

  • National Cheng Chi University (DDP in Diplomacy)

  • National Taiwan University (Student Mobility Agreement)

• More in progress:

  • National Defense University

  • Soochow University 

  • National Chung Cheng University  

Establishment of TSI at UTD

University leadership support:

• UT Dallas Provost Dr. Inga Musselman

• UT Dallas School of EPPS Dean Dr. Jennifer Holmes

• Established the TRI under the School of EPPS in early 2023

• This initiative stands as a testament to our shared commitment to advancing understanding and scholarship regarding Taiwan.

Taiwan Research Academy

• First launched in 2024, the Taiwan Research Academy awards outstanding US and Taiwan students to UTD campus for a week-long training camp.

• World-renowned Taiwan scholars were invited to provide inter-disciplinary workshops training next generation of experts in Taiwan studies.

• Concluding event was a conference convening keynote speaker and local Taiwan community leaders, opening dialogue on prospect of Taiwan research.

• Guest speakers: 18

• Graduates: 33

• 2025 cohort

• 2024 cohort

UTD Mandarin Language Hub

• University leadership support:

  • UT Dallas Bass School of Arts, Humanities and Technology Dean Dr. Nils Roemer

  • UT Dallas School of EPPS Dean Dr. Jennifer Holmes

• Funded by the Ministry of Education, Taiwan, ROC

• the Taiwan Huayu Language program started in early 2024.

• Connecting the Taiwan business community, including residents and students, and promotes Huayu/Mandarin education, facilitating cross-cultural engagement and understanding.

Professor Joanne Wu

Ministry of Education

Taiwan Ministry of Education support since 2017:

• Jindal School of Management

  • Scholarship

  • Faculty Training

• School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (since 2024)

  • Taiwan courses

  • Taiwan Research Academy

  • Huayu Scholarship

  • Conferences on Taiwan

• Dual Degree program with National Chung Hsing University, Taichung.

• Social Data Analytics and Research Master's program at EPPS

• Data Science Master's program in NCHU

• Taiwan students pay Taiwan tuition to take courses at UTD

Exchange program in Data Science

• Visiting Assistant Professor from Taiwan, jointly supported by the School of EPPS and the UTD Bass School of Arts, Humanities and Technology (BAHT).

• Professor Joanne Wu has been teaching multiple courses since Spring 2024

• Responsibilities also include liaison with local community to offer Mandarin courses.

Huayu Scholarship summer program

• Huayu travel scholarships to students from different schools in UTD to learn Mandarin, study and conduct research in Taiwan.

• NCHU Language center will host these students

• Three-year program

Looking Ahead (2025–2026)

• Expanding language and content course offerings, including administration of regular TOCFL tests to students studying Mandarin to receive certification of language level (14 in 2025)

• Maintaining current and launching new exchange partnerships with NCHU, NCCU , NTU and upcoming with Soochow, NDU  and CCU.

• Hosting the 2026 Taiwan Research Academy, with expanded participation (30) and enhanced collaboration with Taiwanese scholars.

• Broadening MOE scholarship opportunities for U.S. students studying Mandarin in Taiwan, building on our current Huayu Scholarship program.

• Hosting Taiwan job fair