International Master‵s Program in Asia-Pacific Studies

Following the Kinmen conference in April 2025, the International Master’s Program in Asia-Pacific Studies (IMAS) organized a second “Island Classroom” program. This time, the chosen location was the Matsu Islets, Taiwan’s northernmost territory, situated less than ten kilometers from mainland China. In addition, as Professor Andrew J. Nathan of Columbia University is set to assume the role of Adjunct Chair Professor at IMAS, the program also provided an opportunity to familiarize him with IMAS’s teaching style. The four-day itinerary was organized around four themes: military, politics, culture, and academia. The first theme focused on the military. During the Cold War, Matsu served as the front line in confronting Communist China and continues to be Taiwan’s foremost defensive outpost today; consequently, military-related activities formed the core of the itinerary. As most IMAS students are foreigners, special permission from the Ministry of National Defense was required. Accompanied by military personnel, IMAS participants visited the 240-millimeter artillery emplacement and Yuntai Mountain. The former represents one of Matsu’s counterstrike capabilities in the event of an attack from mainland China, while the latter offers a vantage point for observing Chinese naval deployments. Students also visited other former military sites open to the public that do not require approval from the Ministry of National Defense. Particularly notable were tunnels capable of accommodating naval vessels, as well as a former military-operated brothel, established in response to the large number of male soldiers stationed on the islands. In addition, due to concerns over food shortages during wartime, sika deer were released on a small island to serve as a potential food source in the event of encirclement. After the military withdrew, the deer population expanded rapidly, becoming a distinctive legacy of the Cold War. In terms of politics, because Matsu is geographically close to mainland China and maintains close economic ties with it, Taiwan’s current ruling party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), finds it difficult to gain local support. As many IMAS students come to Taiwan with a strong interest in cross-strait relations, a visit was therefore arranged to the DPP office in Matsu, along with an interview with the party’s only elected township representative in the area. Both party officials and the local representative noted that although the DPP is the ruling party in Taiwan, they rarely emphasize party ideology in Matsu. Instead, they focus on serving local residents, improving infrastructure, and promoting checks and balances of power. The IMAS group found their situation highly intriguing, and many questions were raised, including by Professor Andrew Nathan.  In terms of culture, the trip introduced students to three distinct layers of cultural understanding. First is Mazu, a deity revered by Chinese communities around the world, who is believed to have been buried here more than a thousand years ago—hence the archipelago’s name, which shares an almost identical pronunciation. Mazu symbolizes the protection of life at sea and has therefore traveled with Chinese migrants across the globe. Second, students learned about the production of Matsu Kaoliang liquor. Its origins date back to the Cold War, when scarce local resources led residents to distill alcohol as a means of bartering for goods from Taiwan. Over time, it became a strong spirit famously shared by two leaders from both sides of the Taiwan Strait, Xi Jinping and Ma Ying-jeou. Finally, the IMAS group explored contemporary art. Also shaped by limited resources, Matsu has sought to promote tourism by inviting international artists to create artworks symbolizing the islands, which are now displayed throughout the area. The most important component of Matsu trip was the academic exchange with National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU). NTOU operates a branch campus in Matsu that offers a master’s program, with most students being local civil servants and military personnel. IMAS students joined one of the research methods classes, during which Professor Andrew Nathan shared insights drawn from more than six decades of academic research. Students from both IMAS and NTOU found the experience highly rewarding. In addition, a workshop titled “Heritage Walks through Matsu and Beyond” was held with NTOU students to exchange perspectives on post-battlefield regeneration in different countries. On the NTOU side, one Japanese student and one Taiwanese student explored potential directions for further developing tourism in Matsu. From National Chengchi University, Aileen Towner presented a paper titled “From Ruins to Recreation: The Reconstruction of Harpers Ferry’s Legacy,” offering a clear data-driven analysis of the economic growth of Harpers Ferry—an important birthplace of the American Civil War—following cooperation between government and civil society. Mikołaj Kacper Staniczek presented “Battlefield of Grunwald: Past and Present,” examining how this pivotal fifteenth-century battle has been incorporated over time into national historical memory and cultural tourism policy.  Because this academic exchange was particularly distinctive, it also attracted coverage from the local newspaper. This visit encompassed three different islands in Matsu, enabling students to gain insight into the distinctive characteristics of Taiwan’s northernmost territory and its connections with the wider world. The experience broadened students’ perspectives and enhanced the value of their studies in Taiwan. IMAS Director Philip Hsiaopong Liu noted that learning does not have to take place solely on campus; the “Island Classroom” embodies IMAS’s distinctive educational philosophy. Through repeated exchanges in different regions of Taiwan, IMAS has successfully strengthened students’ research interests and welcomes young people from around the world to participate and experience the program firsthand.

My International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) Internship Diary – Season 2 is officially back. This video documentary series is produced by the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) in collaboration with the College of Social Sciences at National Chengchi University (NCCU), as part of the Campus Ambassador Overseas Internship Program. This season follows Vice Dean Liu Hsiao-Peng of NCCU’s College of Social Sciences, together with two NCCU students—Liu Yu-Ming and Catherine Tadlock, a student from the International Master’s Program in Asia-Pacific Studies (IMAS), selected to participate.—as they travel to Taiwan’s Pacific ally, the Marshall Islands, for a seven-day overseas internship. Through firsthand observation and on-location filming, the series documents the daily work of the TaiwanICDF technical mission and explores how Taiwan practices international cooperation and development assistance at the frontline. Importantly, this is not a travel program and not a classroom report. It is a genuine internship diary told from a student’s perspective—an unfiltered record of what the “aid field” really looks like.   Episode Guide (5 Episodes Total)  Trailer The trailer sets the tone for Season 2, introducing the Marshall Islands as the destination and previewing the internship experience. It frames the journey not as sightseeing, but as a learning process grounded in responsibility, observation, and engagement with real development work. Episode 1  Episode 1 marks the beginning of the internship journey. The participants arrive in the Marshall Islands and are introduced to the TaiwanICDF technical mission. Viewers gain an initial understanding of the local environment, the mission’s objectives, and the expectations placed on interns entering the field of international development. Episode 2  This episode focuses on observing the daily operations of the ICDF technical mission. From coordination work to on-site engagement, it reveals how aid projects are executed in practice and how international cooperation is shaped by local conditions, communication, and adaptability. Episode 3 Episode 3 dives deeper into cultural interaction and field learning. The interns reflect on differences in work culture, communication styles, and social context, gaining insight into how development work is inseparable from cultural understanding and mutual respect. Episode 4  This episode highlights the challenges and realities faced by aid workers. It shows the less-visible side of international cooperation—problem-solving, coordination pressure, and the emotional demands of working in development environments.  Episode 5   The final episode brings the internship journey to a close with reflections on growth, learning, and future aspirations. The interns look back on what they have gained from the experience and how this short but intensive exposure has reshaped their understanding of international development and their own career paths. Related Articles To further explore student participation in international development and overseas fieldwork, you may also be interested in the following articles: 2025 Farming on Coral Atolls: IMAS Student’s Field Experience in the Marshall Islands 2024 Collecting Boar Semen in Africa: IMAS Student Antoni Mazek as NCCU Campus Ambassador to Eswatini

In the final month of the semester, the International Master’s Program in Asia-Pacific Studies (IMAS) organized special lectures and field courses for its students. One of these events was prompted by The Economist’s report, “School for Wildlife Traffickers,” which—against the backdrop of Chinese merchants in Africa pursuing profit by all means—accused the Taiwanese monk Venerable Hui-Li of running Amitofo Care Center (ACC) orphanages in Africa that allegedly trained wildlife poachers. In response to the controversy, IMAS held a special lecture, ‘Meet the Wildlife Trafficker,’ with Venerable Hui-Li sharing firsthand experiences from Africa. Venerable Hui-Li explained that over the past twenty years, with support from Taiwanese civil society, he has established seven orphanages across six African countries, caring for more than 2,300 orphans. In addition to providing food and shelter, the orphanages offer a complete education at least until the age of eighteen. Depending on individual circumstances, some students are further supported in pursuing university education, domestic and international. Alongside meeting each country’s national education requirements, the curriculum includes Chinese language instruction, vegetarian practices, and Buddhist principles associated with Taiwanese Buddhism, particularly the doctrine of non-killing. From this perspective, accusations that he, as a monk, was involved in ivory trafficking are difficult to comprehend. According to his understanding, the incident described in the report resembled entrapment. People in Malawi generally have low incomes, so they earn extra money whenever they have the opportunity. A reporter allegedly entered a Malawian orphanage under the pretense of charitable work, gained trust, and then paid a local staff member to procure ivory. After the staff member managed to obtain the ivory, he was arrested, and the report was subsequently published. For many students, this lecture marked their first exposure to the scale of Taiwanese NGOs operating in Africa. As a result, they raised numerous questions, particularly regarding differences between ACC and Western charitable organizations, the reception of Buddhism in African societies, and broader concerns related to colonialism. Professor Philip Hsiaopong Liu remarked that he took notice of this news because one of his NCCU graduate students was from ACC, and that he was pleased to offer students the opportunity for firsthand engagement with figures at the center of international media attention. He further observed that, with China’s growing presence in Africa and the cultural proximity across the Taiwan Strait, Western criticism directed at China can at times be readily extended to Taiwanese organizations—an issue that warrants further academic research. Another special course, titled “The Final Journey of a Communist Suspect in 1950s Taiwan,” aimed to help students experience the history of Taiwan’s White Terror period from approximately seventy years ago. The course began with a visit to Machangding Park, where students learned about the execution site where alleged communist suspects were shot. They were then transported by minibus to Liuzhangli, formerly a burial ground on the outskirts of Taipei, where the executed were hastily buried. This area, where bodies were casually interred during the 1950s, was not discovered and reorganized until 1993. It has since been transformed into the Memorial Park for Victims of the Martial Law Period. For many students, this was their first encounter with a mass grave. Particularly striking was the presence of a neighboring Muslim cemetery, where Muslims from various provinces of China are buried, including military leaders, a former governor of Xinjiang, and Uyghur individuals. Experiencing these burial sites enabled students to move beyond textbooks and news reports and directly sense the historical complexity of cross-strait relations. In addition, IMAS introduced a new course this semester titled “From Deerskins to Semiconductors,” which examines Taiwan’s international trade and social development from the era of Dutch colonization to the present day. In addition to lectures by historians, the course included economic history sessions at National Tsing Hua University, an overview of modern scientific development delivered by a physics professor, and an introduction to contemporary AI applications taught by a communications studies scholar. A distinctive component of the course was a series of site visits to semiconductor-related industries. Students visited Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which accounts for more than 60 percent of the global foundry market, allowing them to experience Taiwan’s semiconductor industry firsthand. They also toured WPG Holdings (WT Microelectronics), the world’s leading semiconductor distributor by market share. Mr. Ming-chuan Wang, Director of Human Resources at WPG, personally welcomed the IMAS students and explained that the company actively seeks young professionals from around the world with backgrounds in the humanities and social sciences, as such expertise is valuable for expanding global business operations.  Overall, students found these courses highly practical and were particularly surprised by the openness of technology companies to considering them as potential future employees. IMAS Director Professor Philip Hsiaopong Liu emphasized that when international students come to Taiwan, they should be able to experience Taiwan’s connections with the world, as well as understand their own place within those connections. Through specialized courses conducted both on and off campus, the program offers students hands-on engagement in international, cross-strait, humanistic, and technological relationships. Looking ahead, IMAS will continue striving to develop innovative courses that further enrich students’ academic and practical learning experiences.

On December 3, the International Master's Program in Asia-Pacific Studies (IMAS) invited Distinguished Visiting Professor James Lorand Matory (馬杰明) from Duke University to give an in-depth comparative lecture titled “Divinity, Empire, and Diaspora: China and Africa Compared,” where he talked about religious hierarchies, imperial ideology, and popular religion in the Yoruba Atlantic world and in Chinese/Taiwanese spirit-possession traditions. The event was moderated by Associate Prof. Courtney Work from the Department of Ethnology. Also present was Dean Wan-Ying Yang, who, in her opening remarks, expressed gratitude to Prof. Matory for his role in IMAS during the Fall 2025 semester. Prof. Matory co-taught the course “China, Africa, and Their Diasporas: Connections and Misconceptions” with IMAS Director Prof. Liu Hsiaopong. Prof. Matory is Lawrence Richardson Distinguished Professor of Cultural Anthropology and Director of the Sacred Arts of the Black Atlantic Project at Duke University. He has conducted more than four decades of research on African and African American Studies, especially across the Black Atlantic—Africa and the Americas. He has authored four books, over fifty articles, and produced or written five documentary films. Previously served on the Cultural Property Advisory Committee of the U.S. Department of State as well as the James P. Marsh Professor at Large at the University of Vermont, he received the Distinguished Africanist Award from the American Anthropological Association and the Alexander von Humboldt Prize from the German government. In this lecture, Prof. Matory compared Yoruba and Afro-Atlantic religions with Chinese popular religion, arguing that both operate through parallel logics of spirit genealogy, imperial delegation, and ritualized hierarchy. Sacred authority is transmitted from senior to junior temples—through Aṣẹ in African traditions, often via sacrificial blood, and through fénxiāng (分香) in Chinese temples, via incense ash. He illustrated this through two deities he personally worships: Yemọjá, a Yoruba river–ocean mother goddess, and Kaizhang Shengwang (開漳聖王), a Tang-dynasty general revered in Taiwan as a protector of settlers. In both traditions, divine order is modeled on imperial authority rather than democratic consensus: gods wield weapons, enforce discipline, and offer protection, while myths of their failure and revival reflect the emotional logic of sovereignty and empire. Prof. Matory further argued that empire has historically been understood—by both bureaucrats and believers—not as a moral or rule-bound system, but as a form of violent realpolitik structured through unequal obligations and a tripartite order of elites, commoners, and colonized peoples. These religious imaginaries persist into the present, where many practitioners, even in democratic societies, express nostalgia for strongman authority, finding emotional comfort in imperial hierarchies amid the anxieties of personal freedom, self-responsibility, and modern neoliberal life. Turning to Taiwan, Prof. Matory observed that Chinese popular religion thrives in a democratic society that overwhelmingly rejects political subordination to the People’s Republic of China (PRC). He suggested that devotees’ deep genealogical ties to Chinese deities—maintained through fénxiāng pilgrimages—may produce complex or ambivalent attitudes toward democracy, autonomy, and the PRC’s religious-tourism outreach. He emphasized that his argument is not a criticism but an analytic puzzle: why do people in successful democracies still imagine ideal power through imperial metaphors rather than through democratic ones? Why do devotees seek perfected monarchs in heaven rather than perfected democratic citizens on earth? The lecture concluded with audience questions about god selection, African parallels to divine failure, memories of Taiping and Boxer Rebellions, diaspora identity, PRC’s United Front influence, and the secular analogues of ritualized hierarchy. Prof. Matory reiterated that gods, like political heroes, embody flawed yet idealized authority; that diaspora identities can be flexible and productive rather than essentializing; and that modern societies still seek ritualized hierarchies—religious or secular—to manage anxiety, belonging, and the desire for ordered meaning.

Social science met high-tech recently when students from the IMAS program at NCCU visited the headquarters of WT Group. The field trip was a key part of Dr. Liu’s class, “From Deerskins to Semiconductors.” Stepping out of the classroom, the students saw for themselves how Taiwan’s tech power connects with the real world of global trade. The day started with a deep dive into AI robots. Since most students come from social science backgrounds—not engineering—Vincent, the FAE Director at WT Group, kept things fun and easy to understand. He started with R2-D2, the robot from Star Wars! Using a famous character helped the students understand how complex AI robots actually work. It got everyone talking about the future of robotics and how automation is changing our lives. Next, Tim, the VP of Sales at WT Group, introduced the semiconductor industry supply chain. He explained that WT’s corporate culture and industry success are built on four core values: Integrity, Commitment, Teamwork, and Courage. Moving beyond theory, WT set up interactive AI devices for the students to try out. This allowed everyone to test various functions and understand the different dimensions of AI robotics applications. One of the best parts was the career sharing session with young talent from WT Group, Serana and Jay. They gave the students invaluable insights into job hunting strategies and—most importantly for international students—how to fit into Taiwan’s work culture. This field trip in WT Group broadened the students’ academic horizons and opened new possibilities for their future careers in an increasingly digitized global economy. WT Group also shared their take on the visit on LinkedIn, check out their article here.

Starting on October 20, the International Master’s Program in Asia-Pacific Studies (IMAS) launched a week-long series of significant international exchange events. The first visitors were Professor Simon U. Ortuanya and Professor Oguejiofo T. Ujam, former and current Vice-Chancellors of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), accompanied by Professor Nnanna Arukwe, Head of the Department of Criminology and Security Studies at UNN. The delegation visited Taiwan to explore opportunities for collaboration and academic exchange. IMAS also co-hosted the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF) at the College of Social Sciences (CSS), National Chengchi University (NCCU). Established in 2015 by the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT)—the de facto U.S. Embassy in Taiwan—and Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the GCTF promotes capacity building and training in the Indo-Pacific region by leveraging Taiwan’s professional expertise in collaboration with partners such as the United States, Japan, and Australia. The initiative addresses pressing global challenges including public health, humanitarian assistance, cybersecurity, and supply chain resilience. The GCTF High-Level Commemorative Roundtable took place on October 23, 2025, in partnership with the CSS and IMAS. Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao attended to express gratitude to partner countries. Distinguished guests included MOFA Minister Lin Chia-lung, AIT Director Raymond Greene, Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Chief Representative Kazuyuki Katayama, Australian Office Representative Robert Fergusson, Canadian Trade Office in Taipei Executive Director Marie-Louise Hannan, and British Office Taipei Representative Ruth Bradley-Jones. Over 30 diplomats and representatives from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and several European nations—including the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, and Israel—also joined the celebration. The roundtable, hosted by CSS Dean Wan-ying Yang, invited representatives from member countries to review the GCTF’s accomplishments over the past decade. The event drew enthusiastic participation from NCCU faculty, students, and especially IMAS international students to engage directly with global delegates. IMAS students Audrey Meloche, Daniel Gombos, Kei Motimifagha, and Max Solberg posed questions to the foreign delegates. Minister Lin Chia-lung notably responded to Kei Motimifagha’s question about expanding the GCTF to Africa and later shared a photo of her inquiry on his Instagram account. Both UNN Vice-Chancellors also participated in the GCTF event. Beforehand, they met with officials from MOFA’s Department of West Asian and African Affairs to explore future cooperation opportunities, and with NCCU President Tsai-yen Lee to discuss establishing academic exchange programs between NCCU and UNN. To better understand the experiences of international students in Taiwan, the Nigerian delegation attended IMAS classes and joined discussions on topics such as China–Africa relations and comparisons between Taiwan’s and Nigeria’s colonial histories. The delegation also joined the IMAS field study program, visiting the Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology to learn about Taiwan’s Neolithic culture dating back over 2,000 years. They toured Fort San Domingo and Sino-French War historical sites, gaining insights into Taiwan’s interactions with Europe between the 17th and 19th centuries. Their final stop was the former residence of Premier Sun Yun-suan, where they learned how his 1980s economic policies paved the way for Taiwan’s world-leading semiconductor industry. The visitors were especially intrigued by his tenure as General Manager of the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (1964–1967), which foreshadowed his later achievements in driving Taiwan’s industrial transformation. IMAS Director Philip Hsiaopong Liu emphasized that the program’s mission is to cultivate global talent by combining Taiwan’s perspectives with international engagement. He highlighted that this International Week offered IMAS students a rare chance to interact directly with prominent political and academic figures, enriching their understanding beyond the classroom. He concluded by expressing hope that more young scholars from around the world will join the IMAS community in the coming years.

  Since signing a cooperation agreement with the International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) in May 2024, the College of Social Sciences at National Chengchi University (NCCU) has actively promoted the integration of international engagement and academic practice. Shortly after the agreement, the college sent its first campus ambassadors to Eswatini for a practicum program, followed by a press conference to raise awareness on Taiwan’s foreign aid initiatives. This year, the practicum program moved to the Marshall Islands in late August 2025, with Catherine Tadlock, a student from the International Master’s Program in Asia-Pacific Studies (IMAS) and a U.S. national, selected to participate.   Catherine Tadlock and fellow participant Jack Liu were welcomed by Minister H. C. Liu upon their arrival in the Marshall Islands.   Upon arrival, Catherine was warmly received by Minister H. C. Liu, who encouraged her to seize this rare opportunity to better understand Taiwan’s global contributions. Led by Technical Mission Chief Yu-Ming Lu, Catherine and her peers began a week of intensive field study.     Catherine joined members of Taiwan’s ICDF Technical Mission in Majuro and visited NCCU alumnus Senator Hon. Bruce Bilimon and his wife.   The first module focused on pig farming. Pork is the primary source of meat for Marshallese households, but both production and quality still face challenges. To address this, Taiwan’s ICDF has long supported breed improvement and husbandry training in the Marshall Islands. Catherine learned the essentials of pig farming—from feeding, weighing, selecting breeding stock, recordkeeping, semen collection and preservation, to artificial insemination, pregnancy testing, and assisting with delivery. She also engaged directly with local farmers to see how these techniques translate into livelihood improvements. Using a microscope, Catherine examined boar sperm motility and performed pregnancy testing on sows during the pig farming practicum.   Catherine traveled to local farms, where she learned to operate agricultural machinery and exchange experiences with Marshallese farmers.   The second module centered on vegetable cultivation. Agriculture in the Marshall Islands is constrained by coral-based soil and limited arable land, while the prevalence of cheap imported processed foods has contributed to widespread dietary imbalances and health problems. To improve nutrition and sustainability, the ICDF promotes vegetable varieties suited to local conditions, using pig manure compost to reduce costs and minimize environmental impact. A key component links agriculture with education: providing vegetables and kitchen equipment to schools so that students receive daily nutritious lunches. School leaders emphasized that instilling healthy eating habits in children has ripple effects on families and communities, helping reshape dietary culture. Catherine visited farmers who grow Taiwanese vegetables and helped prepare lunch at the school. Catherine posed for a photo on the clean beach after picking up trash.   Beyond agriculture, the practicum also covered education, environmental protection, and vocational training. Catherine joined local classes to observe Taiwanese teachers, took part in a beach cleanup to witness the severe plastic pollution threatening the fragile atolls, and interviewed Marshallese who had studied vocational skills in Taiwan before returning home to improve their livelihoods.   Although the field program lasted only seven days, it left a lasting impact. “International cooperation is a cornerstone of Taiwan’s diplomacy,” said IMAS Director Philip Hsiaopong Liu. “It spans economics, education, environment, and society—nearly all areas of the social sciences. Through campus ambassadors, students gain firsthand insight into Taiwan’s diplomacy while bringing back stories and experiences that enrich classroom learning, broaden academic horizons, and cultivate a new generation of globally engaged scholars.”  

The final month of the semester for students of the International Master's Program in Asia-Pacific Studies (IMAS) has been a blend of intense academic pressure, laughter, sweat, and poignant farewells. Known for their active participation, IMAS students once again demonstrated remarkable energy at the university-wide Sports Day held in late May. Students from across the globe showcased exceptional performance in both track and field events. Sheila Lin, Senior Secretary for IMAS, stated, "Sports Day has long been a tradition of our program. Winning or losing is not the main point; what matters is that students from all over the world compete together with other departments, showing a spirit of unity. They will have good friends all over the world in the future." This unity extended beyond the classroom, notably seen in a memorable surprise birthday party.  The spotlight this time was on Audrey Clare Cecile Meloch, the class representative from Canada, who has been a central figure in the program and played a key organizational and leadership role in student activities over the past year. On her birthday, a group of classmates—including some from Asia and Africa—secretly arranged a surprise party. They invited faculty members to join the celebration and presented a heartfelt photo montage featuring IMAS’s academic and field activities beyond Taipei. The room was filled with both laughter and emotion, showcasing the unique bond between IMAS faculty and students, as well as the deep cross-cultural friendships that have flourished within the program. Following the period of joy and physical exertion came the graduation ceremony for the second-year students. The ceremony featured a special address by Mr. Grzegorz Mazek, a senior diplomat from the Crisis Management Centre of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As the father of IMAS graduate Antoni Mazek, Mr. Mazek traveled to Taiwan with his family specifically for the graduation ceremony. He shared his profound observations on his son's transformation since coming to National Chengchi University. He also highlighted that East Asia has become a new learning hub in technological, political, and social aspects, emphasizing that understanding diverse cultures is fundamental to solving global crises. Mr. Mazek concluded his speech by quoting Polish poet Zbigniew Herbert, describing his feelings about his trip: "Lord, Thank you for creating the world beautiful and of such variety, And also for allowing me, in Your inexhaustible goodness, To visit places which were not the scene of my daily torments.” Speaking of life's torments, Professor Hsiao-Peng Liu, Director of IMAS, quoted a line from the movie Rocky Balboa :  "Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place. And I don’t care how tough you are—it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life.  But it ain't about how hard you hit.  It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.  How much you can take and keep moving forward.  That’s how winning is done!"  Professor Liu encouraged the graduates to leave campus soon and create their own wonderful stories.  He noted that while he might be too old to witness their victories after their struggles, National Chengchi University will always be there, like proud parents, always cheering for its students.  The last month of the semester was a time for studying, relaxing, united struggle, and reflection and farewell. These thirty short days encapsulated two years of youthful memories for IMAS. This is not an end, but a new beginning.

On Thursday, May 22, 2025, Prof. Deasy Simandjuntak’s class, “Civil and ‘Uncivil’ Societies in Southeast Asia”, was invited by the government think-tank Market Intelligence & Consulting Institute (MIC) to attend a talk at their office. The MIC, a strategic branch of the Institute for Information Industry (III), plays a crucial role in Taiwan and the Asia-Pacific region. Supported by government policy and technological development, MIC combines market intelligence and consulting to serve the global ICT sector, financial markets, and academic institutions. The central theme of the talk revolved around the question: Can think tanks like MIC be considered part of civil society? And, how are they positioned between society and the government? Dr. Yingfen Lin, from MIC, opened the session with a presentation on the history and founding of the Institute for Information Industry (III), under which MIC operates. She traced its origins to 1979, when Taiwan lost its seat at the United Nations. In response to the shifting international landscape, the Taiwanese government established III to aid the country’s transition from a land-based economy to one focused on digital technology. Dr. Lin emphasized that III not only supported domestic digital industry development and literacy but also played a role in Taiwan’s soft power diplomacy. Through initiatives such as donating computers, offering digital technology training, and setting up centers across Southeast Asia, III contributed to international engagement. It also acted as an intermediary between the Taiwanese government and foreign technology ministries, thereby promoting international collaboration through digital and technological outreach. The second part of the talk was led by the Director General of MIC, Chris Hung. He focused on MIC’s core functions within Taiwan. As a department under III’s R&D division, MIC operates as a government-affiliated research body. Its primary responsibilities include conducting research, gathering and analyzing data, supporting policy-making, and assisting industries in long-term strategic planning. Addressing the central question—whether MIC qualifies as a civil society organization, both speakers offered a nuanced answer that MIC occupies a unique position. It receives both government funding and support from the private sector, thus straddling the boundary between state and public. As a think tank, MIC has published over 2,000 research reports. Its primary audiences include government agencies and industry stakeholders, to whom it provides data-driven insights and strategic recommendations. Director General Hung concluded by emphasizing MIC’s bridging role between the government and Taiwan’s technology industries. The talk concluded with a Q&A session with the students. Many expressed curiosity about the presentations and asked questions related to the challenges MIC faces in its work. One key issue discussed was the difficulty of digitalization—not just the technical transformation, but the more complex task of changing processes that involve people and society. As noted during the session, shifting mindsets and behaviors often proves more challenging than updating systems. Another question addressed how MIC navigates the balance between private sector interests and political tensions, especially when these priorities may conflict.  Moreover, both speakers also shared their experiences of working in the think tank with the IMAS students. For them, the most essential skills needed to work in a think tank are critical thinking. Passion, on the other hand, is also another important trait a person should have if they want to pursue a career as a researcher in a think tank.  Overall, the visit to MIC provided students with valuable critical insights. Hearing directly from a think tank that plays a strategic role in bridging government and industry helped them better understand the complexities and responsibilities involved in policy-oriented research and digital transformation.

Following the College of Social Sciences' (CSS) inaugural initiative in October 2024 to invite alumni teaching at overseas universities back to campus , two distinguished graduates returned for a special program from April 21 to 27, 2025. The first was Dr. Niki Alsford, a 2010 graduate of the International Master’s Program in Asia-Pacific Studies (IMAS), now Professor of Anthropology and Human Geography and Director of the Institute for the Study of the Asia Pacific at the University of Central Lancashire, UK. The second was Dr. Non Naprathansuk, a 2014 graduate of the International Doctoral Program in Asia-Pacific Studies (IDAS), currently Assistant Professor in the School of Administrative Studies and Deputy Dean for Academic and International Affairs at Maejo University, Thailand. On April 21 and 22, both alumni presented their latest research. Dr. Alsford explored the connections between Taiwan and Austronesian cultures, while Dr. Naprathansuk analyzed educational cooperation between Taiwan and Thailand. Their presentations showcased the College’s success in cultivating talent with global academic impact. On April 23, they shared valuable insights on navigating the academic job market, drawing significant interest from doctoral students. Both emphasized the importance of rigorous writing, avoiding predatory journals, and cultivating a resilient mindset. They also reminded students that humility is key to perseverance in a competitive job market. On April 24, the two professors accompanied IMAS students to Kinmen—an island just 1.8 kilometers from mainland China’s closest military outpost—to participate in the Second Annual International Conference of African and Middle East Studies in Taiwan, co-organized by Academia Sinica, National Quemoy University (NQU), and IMAS. Both alumni and several IMAS students served as session chairs and presenters, engaging in vibrant exchange with scholars from the United States, Nigeria, Benin, South Africa, and Cameroon. In his opening remarks, Professor Philip Hsiaopong Liu, IMAS Director and Associate Dean of CSS, explained that Kinmen was chosen as the conference venue to symbolize the start of dialogue between Taiwan and the Middle East and Africa. He noted that just 70 kilometers away lies Quanzhou, China, where an Arab-style mosque dating back to the Song Dynasty still stands—a testament to a once-thriving Arab community. One can imagine Arab and Hokkien trading ships navigating these waters during the 10th and 11th centuries. In the 17th century, Zheng Chenggong (Koxinga) assembled a fleet nearby to expel Dutch colonizers from Tainan, Taiwan. His forces included hundreds of African soldiers, and traces of African presence remain in Tainan today. Some Chinese scholars even consider this campaign the first instance of Sino-African joint resistance against colonialism. Beyond the conference, the group turned Kinmen into a “living classroom” to explore the interrelated themes of war, gender, and economy. On gender, students visited the Temple of the Virtuous Woman, dedicated to a woman whose naked body washed ashore from Xiamen in the 1950s. Originally depicted as a victim of violence by Communist soldiers, her story has shifted with changes in cross-strait politics. Another site was the Teahouse for Special Services, also known as the “Military Paradise”—a Cold War-era brothel system established by the government for over 100,000 stationed troops, often viewed as a localized version of the “comfort women” system. In exploring wartime economies, students visited the Kinmen Kaoliang (Sorghum) Liquor Distillery, learning how the island’s barren land was transformed into a profitable wartime asset. They also toured a knife factory that turns artillery shells left from Chinese bombardments into commercial kitchen knives. A notable highlight was the story of Justin Yifu Lin, who defected in 1979 by swimming 1,800 meters from Kinmen to a PLA-controlled area. He later rose to become one of China’s most prominent economists, even serving as Senior Vice President of the World Bank. Participants also visited key military sites, including the 1949 PLA landing beach, underground tunnels, the Landmine Museum, a 240mm cannon drill, psychological warfare broadcasting walls, and a simulated shooting range. The group returned to Taiwan on April 27. For all involved, the experience was deeply impactful—not only for its academic depth, but also for its hands-on engagement with cross-strait tensions and the lived history of war. CSS Dean Wan-ying Yang emphasized that experiential learning is a cornerstone of the IMAS curriculum. In recent years, IMAS students have traveled to Tainan to study Dutch colonial history, to Keelung to examine Japanese-era mining, to Matsu to explore military tensions across the Taiwan Strait , to the Kingdom of Eswatini to learn about Taiwan’s international diplomacy, and to explore the relationship between Taiwan and the global economy through visits to semiconductor factories, including TSMC. Future plans include further integration of Austronesian cultural experiences to deepen students’ global understanding of Taiwan. International students are warmly invited to join IMAS and discover Taiwan through these transformative journeys.

國立金門大學與國立政治大學攜手辦理「第二屆台灣非洲與中東聯合國際研討會」，以台灣為觀察據點，重新梳理中國與非洲長達數十年的歷史糾結與政治經濟脈絡，並進一步探討在新興全球秩序中，台灣如何於其中覓得話語空間與參與契機。 台灣非洲與中東聯合國際研討會假金門大學舉行，邀集來自非洲、中東、歐洲與亞洲等地之多位重量級學者，交織出一幅兼具全球視野與在地關懷的知識圖譜。與會主講與主持人包括政治大學國家發展研究所教授暨社會科學院副院長劉曉鵬、金門大學學術副校長洪集輝、中研院民族學研究所研究員Derek Sheridan、金門大學閩南文化碩士學位學程主任劉名峰等人，展現台灣學術界在推動國際區域研究上的積極佈局與多元關懷。 金門大學指出，在當代全球政經局勢劇烈重組的背景下，「全球南方」成為國際學術與政策思維中的關鍵概念。非洲與中東作為地緣政治與歷史轉折中的核心區域，其於中國崛起下所展現的多重角色，以及與台灣可能展開的對話關係，日益受到各界高度關注。為回應此一趨勢，金門大學與政治大學攜手辦理「第二屆台灣非洲與中東聯合國際研討會」，涵蓋六大主題座談，依序為：「被遺忘的歷史」、「未竟的政治」、「被隱藏的人們」、「青年學者論壇」、「中東研究：戰爭、難民與遊客」以及「青年學者論壇」，內容橫跨歷史、政治、文化與人道議題，力圖構築一個跨地域、跨學科的深層對話平台。與會學者期望未來建立定期發表與聯繫管道，進一步在中東與非洲的研究上扎根，提供臺灣觀點，並提供學界與政府的參考依據。 金門大學指出，國內區域研究基於國家政策以及國人的熟悉程度，著重在如美國、東北與東南亞、歐洲等幾個區域，近年來並進一步強化對南亞議題的關切。中東與非洲因為地理位置或是發展等因素，向來是較為陌生的地區，因此舉辦此場學術研討會，除了凝聚國內研究相關議題的學者並建構學術網絡以外，並期望提高國內對中東與非洲的熟悉度。 金門大學表示，作為地處中國東南沿海、歷史與戰略交錯的島嶼，金門不僅擁有豐厚的文化地景，也賦予此次會議特殊的象徵意涵。此次選擇金門作為對話現場，正體現出將地緣邊陲轉化為知識樞紐的策略視角。主辦單位冀望藉此會議深化台灣與非洲、中東地區之間的學術與政策連結，進一步拓展台灣的國際能見度與文化話語權，並於全球南方語境中重新思索自身定位，為區域研究與跨國合作開啟嶄新可能。 來源: https://www.kmdn.gov.tw/1117/1271/1272/576865/

The joint course, “Semiconductor Industry in the Era of Techno-Geopolitics,” offered by the International Master’s Program in Asia-Pacific Studies (IMAS) and the International College of Innovation (ICI),  successfully concluded its third field trip on December 16. Students traveled to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) Museum of Innovation in Hsinchu, exploring the vital role of integrated circuits in modern life and TSMC’s contributions to global semiconductor advancements and Taiwan’s economic growth. The museum's interactive displays, digital content, and historical exhibits provided an engaging learning experience.   The group then visited the Science Park Exploration Museum, which chronicles the evolution of the Hsinchu Science Park—central to Taiwan’s technological development since the 1980s. This marked the third field-based activity, a cornerstone of the course’s experiential learning approach.   The first field trip on October 15 was to WT Microelectronics, the world’s leading semiconductor distributor. Representatives outlined the semiconductor supply chain, emphasizing the company’s role as a logistics intermediary connecting upstream component manufacturers with downstream electronics producers. WT Microelectronics also expressed enthusiasm for recruiting international talent to support its global operations. (Watch the visit here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeVXp6FpZyc&t=118s)   On November 5, the class visited Advanced Semiconductor Materials Lithography (ASML), the global leader in photolithography technology, which is critical for transferring intricate circuit patterns onto silicon wafers. ASML extended a warm welcome to the students, addressing their questions with insights from production line engineers, offering hands-on experiences with protective gear, and showcasing its manufacturing processes through an engaging virtual presentation.   To enrich the learning experience, students visited the Taoyuan Winery, a 110-year-old establishment originally founded to boost Taiwan's economy through sake production. The visit highlighted parallels between the value-added strategies of Taiwan's traditional agricultural industry and its modern semiconductor sector, culminating in a sake tasting session.   This course, designed and instructed by the renowned former TSMC’s R&D Chief Dr. Konrad Yang (ICI’s adjunct professor), highlights the effort of NCCU to engage students in learning about semiconductor industry. Students praised the course for its seamless integration of classroom learning with industry insights, which enriched their understanding of Taiwan’s semiconductor landscape. IMAS Director Philip Hsiaopong Liu emphasized that a core feature of IMAS education is providing international students with opportunities to learn beyond the classroom through field studies, thereby deepening their understanding of Taiwan. Meanwhile, ICI Dean Wenling Tu described the course as a model of innovation and expressed plans to explore similar educational formats in the future.

"NCCU" Professors Return, IMAS Students Venture Out: A Week of Alumni Homecoming at the College of Social Sciences Starting this semester, the College of Social Sciences at NCCU is arranging for alumni of international programs, now working in academia globally, to return to the university. They not only showcase their academic research but also share stories of Taiwan they have spread in campuses around the world. The event kicked off on October 21 with Manoj Kumar Panigrahi, a 2022 PhD graduate of the International Doctoral Program in Asia-Pacific Studies (IDAS), now an Assistant Professor and Director of the Northeast Asia Studies Center at O.P. Jindal Global University in India. His academic talk emphasized how shifts due to the pandemic, Sino-Indian territorial disputes, and changing U.S.-China relations, coupled with Taiwan’s increased investments in India and educational cooperation, are reshaping India’s relationships with Taiwan and China. On the 22nd, Virgemarie A. Salazar and Ronald van Velzen took the stage. Salazar, a 2023 IDAS graduate, is an Assistant Professor in Political Science at the University of the Philippines Diliman, and her talk analyzed efforts by ASEAN countries—both at governmental and grassroots levels—to combat climate change. Van Velzen, a 2022 graduate of the International Master’s Program in Asia-Pacific Studies (IMAS), is currently a history lecturer at Erasmus University Rotterdam. His presentation revisited Taiwan’s deer skin trade and hunting regulations during the Dutch colonial period, comparing them to contemporary indigenous autonomy laws in Taiwan. On the 23rd, Sabrina Habich-Sobiegalla, a 2013 IDAS graduate now a professor at the Graduate School of East Asian Studies, Freie Universität Berlin, delivered a lecture. She analyzed grassroots governance in Beijing and noted how public opinions on infrastructure projects are reflected in decision-making bodies under institutional oversight. Dean Yang Wan-ying and NCCU President Li Tsai-yen warmly welcomed the four alumni, expressing joy that their knowledge gained at NCCU is now shared worldwide, further enhancing international understanding of Taiwan. On the 24th, the alumni shared their experiences with students aspiring for academic careers abroad, encouraging them to broaden their knowledge in various fields as preparation for graduation, and to be resilient to thrive in the academic job market. On October 25 and 26, the alumni expanded their engagement, joining IMAS students in sustainability projects with National Taiwan Ocean University and Shenkeng Farmers’ Association. Four IMAS students—Jaden Gloden from the U.S., Ja Seng Hkawn from Myanmar, Daniel Gombos from Austria, and Kei Motimifagha from Nigeria—presented sustainability cases and challenges from their home countries. The Farmers’ Association then introduced the group to Shenkeng’s development, religious culture, and tofu-making. The group proceeded to the Lanyang Museum in Yilan, where Taiwanese student Fangyun Chen explained the museum’s design as an environmentally integrated green building. Their second stop in Yilan was a century-old distillery, where U.S. student Catherine Tadlock discussed its development from the colonial period and recent strategies to differentiate itself in a competitive market. That evening, the students stayed at Fo Guang University, a Buddhist university with campus lodging that overlooks the Pacific Ocean and offers beautiful night views. IMAS student Norbu Lhagyal, from India, discussed the spread of Buddhism to East Asia, while Vietnamese student Tran Huynh Bao Khanh talked about the development of Fo Guang Shan in Taiwan. On the second day, after enjoying a vegetarian breakfast, British student Michael Chang recounted the story of how, in the 19th century, James Horn from Britain and James Milisch from Germany attempted to expand their influence into the Nan’ao region. After the history session, the group headed to Nanfang’ao to experience fishing village culture. They observed the fresh catches of local fishermen and selected seafood to have it cooked by a restaurant for their lunch. The event concluded in the afternoon after returning to NCCU. Gesa Heym, Head of the Student Mobility Unit / International Affairs at Freie Universität Berlin, also participated in this activity and highly praised the cultural itinerary. Philip Hsiaopong Liu, Associate Dean for International Affairs at the College of Social Sciences, noted that through this cultural journey, alumni not only returned to share their experiences with current students, but more importantly, IMAS students gained a deeper understanding of the value of studying at NCCU by interacting with distinguished alumni. In the near future, the College of Social Sciences will organize similar events again.

On February 24th, the Lantern Festival day, the International Master’s Program in Asia-Pacific Studies (IMAS) brought together foreign students and scholars from the College of Social Sciences (CSS) to participate in the Lantern Festival event at Jiying Temple in Muzha. This collaboration is not the first between Jiying Temple and IMAS. In December 2023, IMAS held a holiday celebration at the temple, featuring an indigenous-style roasted pig. Building on the success of their previous collaboration, Jiying Temple invited IMAS to participate in the Lantern Festival. Tradition says that the Heavenly Emperor punishes humanity for their wrongdoing, preparing to unleash a calamity of fire and light on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. As a result, people hang lanterns on this day, so that when the Heavenly Emperor looks down from above, it appears as though the earth is ablaze with fire, signifying that punishment has been dealt. Therefore, in the evening of the Lantern Festival, IMAS students and CSS scholars, holding torches and lanterns joined hundreds of residents of Muzha in a traditional folk parade. Some participants dressed up as different deities in the parade, including the God of Wealth, the Third Prince, and the Eight Generals. This was their first experience of traditional Taiwanese cultural activities. Dr. Akachukwu Darlington Umeh, a research fellow from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, noted that in his country, carrying torches would be seen as intending to start fires or protests. He expressed surprise that in Taiwan, it is part of a celebration. Other scholars, including Raian Hossain from the University of Nottingham and Yimovie Sakue-Collins from the University of Africa, Toru-Orua, continued discussing Taiwanese culture late into the night after the event ended at nine o’clock. They all expressed a desire to participate in similar cultural activities again. One week later, they welcomed their second opportunity. Jiying Temple once again invited IMAS to participate in the procession activity. The Procession is an event where divine power delineates boundaries. Residents within the boundaries of the procession receive the protection of the gods. The procession is also a ritual that purges impurities and instills a sense of livability and security within. Despite the light rain, the students and scholars first listened to Academia Sinica scholar James Morris explain the significance of the procession, then joined a group that stretched over a kilometer long. The organizers allowed the students to participate in the most important part of the procession, carrying the palanquin of the deity. Symbolizing the combination of local culture and international participation, students and scholars were welcomed by many participants from all over Taiwan. Parade-goers greeted them in limited English, took photos with them, and even shared so-called Taiwan-style chewing gum: betel nuts. IMAS Director Philip Hsiaopong Liu stated that learning should not be limited to the classroom. IMAS has always emphasized the importance of cultural experiences. Over the past few years, students have visited islands just ten kilometers from mainland China, fishing villages, mines, the mausoleums of both Chiangs, and a century-old brewery in Taiwan. Participating in local religious activities this time is a new attempt. International students are welcomed to IMAS to benefit from the excellent graduate education offered by the CSS and to immerse themselves in Taiwanese culture.

Meet Jack Burns, the Alabama-born outdoorsman studying in the International Master’s Program in Asia-Pacific Studies (IMAS) at National Chengchi University (NCCU). Picture this: during a casual morning stroll on campus, Jack decides to unleash his hidden hunting talents. In a jaw-dropping display of prowess, he snags a wild boar from the hills and triumphantly captures two crocodiles from the nearby creek…. But hold your horses—don’t be fooled! It turns out Jack is no fearless hunter. Instead, he’s an undercover animal lover with a heart of gold. As it turns out, Jack was simply lending a helping hand to a master chef, lending his skills to prepare an epic brunch for his fellow IMAS classmates, professors, and friends.  On May 19th, during the NCCU’s 96th anniversary celebration, IMAS coordinated with the College of Social Sciences and the Master’s Program of Land Policy and Environmental Planning for Indigenous Peoples to organize a Taiwanese and Australian Indigenous-style barbecue at the NCCU Arts and Culture Center. The event was attended by distinguished guests, including the NCCU President, Vice President for International Cooperation, the Dean of the College of Social Sciences, IMAS teachers, and students. Bakan Pawan, the Chairperson of the Taipei City Government Indigenous Peoples Affairs Commission and a member of the Seediq Tribe, also joined the brunch. She even delivered a speech in the Seediq language. Several diplomatic representatives joined this event, including, in alphabetical order of countries, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Candice Augusta Pitts from Belize, Deputy Representative Jakub Kopecký from the Czech Republic, Commercial Counselor Hugo Sanic from Guatemala, Francisco J. Martinez, Chief of Economic and Trade Affairs, Mexican Trade Services Documentation and Cultural Office; Deputy Representative Aleksei Kotelnikov from Russia, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Robert K. Lewis from Saint Lucia, Representative Mohamed Hagi from Somaliland, Chief of Thai Community Phonlakrit Warawat from the Thailand Trade and Economic Office, and Cindy Guo, Political Officer from the United States (American Institute in Taiwan, AIT). Bernise Springer, the first secretary who accompanied Ambassador Dr. Robert K. Lewis from Saint Lucia, speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese and is also an IMAS graduate himself. The event also attracted international scholars such as Dr. Randall Nadeau, Executive Director of the Foundation for Scholarly Exchange (Fulbright Taiwan); Sabella Abidde, professor at Alabama State University; Nnanna Arukwe, professor at the University of Nigeria; Chen Chung-an, professor at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore; Richard A. Nyelade, lecturer at the University of Ottawa in Canada; and documentary filmmaker, Tobie Openshaw from South Africa. With the support of these esteemed diplomatic and academic guests, IMAS achieved outstanding results in sports competitions, winning the tug-of-war and dragon ball competitions. In individual events, Josiah Spain secured second place in the long jump and fourth place in the 100-meter dash, Natcha Lee placed fourth place in shot put, and Jan Broese came in third in the 5,000-meter run. Their remarkable performance led IMAS to clinch the overall team championship, marking the program’s best athletic achievement in its twenty-year history. After the competitions concluded, students and esteemed guests gathered to enjoy a unique culinary experience. The menu featured an Australian Indigenous crocodile meal, showcasing the rich flavors of the region. Taiwanese Indigenous cuisine took center stage with a lavish wild boar feast accompanied by millet wine, a true delicacy. Considering the diverse religious backgrounds of many participants, the event also catered to various preferences by offering steak, whole chickens, and an array of vegetables.  Adding to the festive atmosphere, traditional Indigenous Taiwanese costumes were provided for all guests, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the cultural ambiance during the meal. This unforgettable experience not only provided an opportunity to relish the scenic beauty of the campus nestled amidst hills and water, but also allowed everyone to witness the vibrant and multicultural learning environment that IMAS offers to its international students. Professor Philip Hsiaopong Liu, the director of IMAS, emphasizes that the program frequently arranges cultural dinners, inter-university exchanges, workshops, and field trips to provide students with a deeper understanding of Taiwanese culture, history, and society, as well as the opportunity to compare Taiwanese society with the Greater Asia-Pacific and the world. He extends a warm welcome to students from all over the globe, encouraging them to come study under the IMAS program and personally experience the unique opportunities it has to offer.

The Joint Class, titled “Strait, Ocean, and Japanese Colonization,” was a collaboration between the International Master’s Program in Asia-Pacific Studies (IMAS) at National Chengchi University (NCCU) and Williams College. It took place following Taiwan’s 2024 Presidential Election. The first activity involved visiting the Straits Exchange Foundation to gain insights into the recent cross-strait situation. IMAS student Briana J. Boland provided an introduction to the foundation’s background. Subsequently, Dr. David Tawei Lee, the foundation’s chairman and former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Secretary-General of the National Security Council, addressed the current challenges facing Taiwan-China-US relations and warmly engaged in a Q&A session with students from both institutions.   Following this, students visited the Coal Mining Museum. IMAS Vietnamese student Trần Huỳnh Bảo Khánh offered an overview of Taiwan’s coal industry, which flourished during Japanese colonization but declined in the 1980s due to global market competition. A museum guide then introduced early mine shafts, mining tools, and the hardships faced by miners. Students also experienced a ride on coal carts from half a century ago, immersing themselves in the mining environment. After checking into the hotel and dining, participants from both institutes rested for several hours before commencing their midnight classes. As Taiwan’s first railroad started from Keelung, students utilized railway level crossings as makeshift classrooms to learn about the city.  IMAS Polish student Antoni Mazek pointed out that Keelung was formerly colonized by the Spanish and the Dutch, but its true prosperity emerged during the Japanese colonial era, when it evolved into a vital military port. Consequently, Keelung endured significant bombing by American aircraft during World War II. Today, traces of this history, like air raid shelters in residential areas, still exist, offering students a chance for exploration.   Due to Keelung’s coastal location and flourishing fishing industry, IMAS American student Rachel Bernstein elaborated on the evolution of Keelung’s fishery distribution center since the Qing Dynasty, now recognized as Taiwan’s largest fish market. Despite operating exclusively from midnight onwards, the market exudes a vibrancy comparable to daytime. Merchants from diverse regions procure fish catches from northern Taiwan’s ports, swiftly transporting them to markets across the country. Alongside observing an array of fish and seafood products, students were exposed to various sales processes, including transportation and bidding. The following day, students visited a fishing village to learn about early fishermen’s dyeing techniques using local plants. Amidst their exploration, they gained insight into local temples and deities that safeguard fishermen. At the fishing port, IMAS Professor, Deasy Simandjuntak, a Dutch scholar specialized in Southeast Asia, shed light on the role of Indonesian fishermen in Taiwan’s economy and the human rights challenges they encounter.   The final class was held at the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology, which collaborated with IMAS four years ago. Professor Tony Shih explained that the museum, originally a Japanese-era power plant, had been repurposed to preserve history. The coal used to power the plant was sourced from the mining area visited by students the day before. Adjacent to the classroom, remnants of American airstrikes during World War II serve as poignant reminders of the past. Cornelius C. Kubler, Stanfield Professor of Asian Studies at Williams College, lauded the course as the most captivating in his extensive collaboration with Taiwanese academic institutions. Philip Hsiaopong Liu, IMAS Professor and Director, emphasized the significance of off-campus teaching, inviting Williams College students to NCCU next year to deepen their understanding of Taiwanese culture alongside IMAS international students.

On March fifth and sixth, the International Master’s Program in Asia-Pacific Studies (IMAS) at National Chengchi University (NCCU) partnered with the Graduate Institute of Futures Studies (GIFS) and the Department of Diplomacy and International Relations (DDIR) at Tamkang University (TKU) to jointly conduct an academic workshop in Tamsui. The workshop, titled “Taiwan in the Asia Pacific: Between Past and Future,” included nine NCCU students who came from a diverse group of countries ranging from Burkina Faso to Ukraine. The workshop was also attended by over one hundred TKU students. Participants enjoyed hearing different academic perspectives and learning about the rich historical heritage of Tamsui. The workshop began with keynote speeches from Dr. Brett Benson and Dr. Eiichiro Azuma. Dr. Benson, who is a professor of Political Science and Asian Studies at Vanderbilt University, spoke about the development of Asian international relations since the Cold War and analyzed the future of Sino-Taiwan relations. Dr. Azuma, who is a professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania and the winner of 2020 John K. Fairbank Prize for East Asian History, used historical perspectives to explain the role of immigration in international relations. It was a pleasure to hear from these distinguished professors in person rather than from a remote video call. Following the keynote speeches, students from both schools began their academic exchange. Presentation topics included semiconductor policy, vaccine diplomacy, cyber warfare, the history of Taiwanese international relations, and the ontological foundations of East Asian politics. At the end of the workshop, Francesca Sfriso represented IMAS and delivered closing remarks in which she emphasized the importance of interscholastic academic exchange and expressed deep appreciation for the efforts of TKU faculty members and students. In addition to academic exchange, the workshop aimed to teach international students about the early links between Taiwan and the world. Students traveled to Aletheia University, where they met with English docents dispatched by the university. Together with the docents, IMAS students visited Oxford College, missionary accommodation, and the residence of George Leslie Mackay. By visiting these historical sites, IMAS students were able to learn about the role of Christianity in Taiwanese education and medicine during the nineteenth century. IMAS students also learned about Western colonial legacy through their visit to Fort San Domingo. The history of the fort is a great representation of the tumultuous and fluid nature of colonialism in Taiwan; since it was established by the Spanish in the seventeenth century, the fort was successively controlled by the Netherlands, Koxinga, the Qing Dynasty, Japan, Great Britain, and the US before finally coming under Taiwanese jurisdiction in 1980. Tamsui has rich colonial stories. Students stayed over-night in the TKU campus and enjoyed breakfast by the former seaplane airport established by the Japanese in 1941. They also visited the landing point of the French Marines during the 1884 Sino-French War and travelled by boat to the estuary where the French battleships deployed. Dr. Philip Hsiaopong Liu, the director of IMAS, expressed his sincere appreciation for the assistance of DDIR and GIFS. Dr. Liu noted that IMAS has also cooperated with schools in Yilan, Keelung, and Matsu over the past two years. These opportunities allowed students to present their research and network at other academic institutions while learning about Taiwanese history, culture, and industry. The IMAS program focuses on exploring the links between Taiwan, Asia-Pacific, and the world, and welcomes international students interested in joining the IMAS family.

Dean Wan-Ying Yang of the College of Social Sciences (CSS) at National Chengchi University (NCCU) led the college in signing a cooperation agreement with the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) in May 2024. This initiative marked a major step toward combining academic training with international engagement. Shortly after the signing, the college dispatched student ambassadors to Eswatini for an initial observational visit. Upon their return, a press conference was held to promote greater awareness among faculty and students regarding Taiwan’s foreign aid efforts and to build stronger support within the academic community. The 2025 internship program has since expanded to the Pacific region, with this year's fieldwork taking place in the Republic of the Marshall Islands in late August. Led by Associate Dean for International Affairs, Dr. Philip Hsiaopong Liu, the delegation included Catherine Tadlock, a student from the International Master’s Program in Asia-Pacific Studies (IMAS) and a U.S. national, alongside Yu-Ming Liu, a graduate student from the Graduate Institute of Development Studies. Upon arrival in Marshall Islands, the two students were received by Minister Hank H.C. Liu of Taiwan’s Embassy. In his welcome remarks, Minister Liu encouraged the students to make full use of this rare opportunity to deepen their understanding of Taiwan’s contributions on the international stage. The students were then introduced to the Taiwan Technical Mission team, led by Chief Yu-Ming Lu, who guided them through a week-long field training program. The first phase of the internship focused on swine husbandry. Pork remains a key source of protein in the Marshall Islands, yet both quantity and quality of production are in need of improvement. Over the years, TaiwanICDF has collaborated with local stakeholders to introduce improved pig breeds and advanced husbandry techniques. During their training, the interns were involved in every stage of the swine breeding process—from feeding, weighing, and breeding selection, to sperm collection and preservation, artificial insemination, pregnancy diagnosis, and assisted delivery. They also visited local farming households and engaged with residents to discuss their firsthand experiences in applying improved breeding techniques, gaining a deeper understanding of how technology transfer plays a vital role in supporting farmers' livelihoods. Following their work with livestock, the students participated in a hands-on vegetable cultivation program. Due to the Marshall Islands’ coral atoll geography, arable land is extremely limited and the soil is poor in nutrients, making vegetable farming inherently difficult. This challenge is compounded by the widespread import of inexpensive processed foods, which has led to unbalanced diets and a growing prevalence of health issues among local residents. In response, the TaiwanICDF has promoted vegetable varieties suited to the local environment and encouraged the use of pig manure compost to reduce costs while supporting environmental sustainability. More importantly, the project integrates nutrition education with a school lunch program. Through donations of kitchen equipment and regular vegetable supplies, some local schools are now able to provide nutritious meals. In an interview, one principal noted that once students develop healthy eating habits, those habits continue to influence their families and communities even after graduation—gradually transforming the broader dietary culture. Beyond agriculture, the TaiwanICDF’s efforts in the Marshall Islands also cover diverse areas such as education, environment, and vocational training. Two students observed Taiwanese teachers’ daily work in local classrooms and participated in a beach cleanup, witnessing firsthand the serious plastic pollution affecting the beautiful atoll. They also interviewed individuals who had received vocational training in Taiwan and returned home to find employment, learning how acquired skills help improve local livelihoods. These experiences gave the students a deeper understanding of international cooperation as a multifaceted endeavor, extending beyond agriculture and economics to encompass broader social development. Although the field experience lasted only seven days, it provided rich and meaningful insights. Philip Hsiaopong Liu, CSS Associate Dean for International Affairs, noted that international cooperation is a cornerstone of Taiwan’s diplomatic efforts, spanning economic, educational, environmental, and social sectors—essentially covering all facets of social science research. Through NCCU’s CSS campus ambassador program, students gain direct exposure to Taiwan’s diplomatic practices and bring their experiences back to their universities, transforming them into valuable resources for outreach and education. This process helps expand the academic perspectives of their fellow students and fosters a new generation of globally engaged, proactive young scholars.

  In celebration of the new year’s commencement, the International Master’s Program in Asia Pacific Studies (IMAS) at the College of Social Sciences (CSS) has selected Muzha Jiying Temple (木柵集應廟), a Taoist temple adjacent to the campus, to orchestrat a cultural immersion event. The event primarily caters to IMAS students, who have graciously extended invitations to their friends and family. Alongside the dean, vice deans, and instructors from the CSS, distinguished guests include Professor Dafydd Fell from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London (SOAS), Professor Parsha Hsieh, the Monet Chair Professor at the Singapore Management University (SMU), and IMAS alumna Cleisha-Bernise Springer, presently serving as the First Secretary at the Embassy of Saint Lucia. The pièce de résistance for the evening is the succulent roasted wild boar. In adherence to indigenous traditions of minimizing waste, the boar’s internal organs find purpose in a delectable soup. To cater to varied dietary preferences, separate preparations of roasted chicken and fish are offered, accompanied by vegetarian alternatives like bamboo tube rice, sweet potatoes, and water bamboo – all reflective of indigenous culinary heritage. Beyond the culinary delights, IMAS students seize the opportunity to delve into the intricacies of Taiwanese temples. Rooted in polytheistic Taoism, this temple, while primarily dedicated to two Tang Dynasty generals, is renowned for venerating the Emperor Wenchang (文昌帝君). Revered for aiding scholarly pursuits, local students frequent the temple to seek success in their exams. Moreover, the temple extends celebratory events to students who achieve admission into their desired institutions. As the final exams approach, many international students participating in the event partake in rituals to seek the benevolence of Emperor Wenchang Mr. Zhang Minnan (張敏男), the Chair of the temple’s management committee, expresses his delight at the initiative taken by IMAS students to organize an event at the temple. He takes pleasure in sharing Taiwanese culture with the esteemed foreign guests and anticipates a plethora of planned activities within the temple precincts for the year 2024, expressing the hope to extend invitations to these students once again.

The International Master’s Program in Asia-Pacific Studies (IMAS) cooperated with the Outreach Office at National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU) in order to hold a joint workshop, titled “International Workshop for War, Regional Revitalization, and Sustainable Development of Islands,” at the NTOU Matsu Campus on October 16th and 17th. Six IMAS students, from Spain, the US, France, Korea, and Turkey respectively, as well as four NTOU students joined this workshop. All participants not only extended their knowledge of island development, the Cold War, and regional revival, but also were impressed that the Matsu islands could become their classroom. The workshop started at the NTOU Matsu campus. The campus, located on Beigan Island, is surrounded by many traditional Matsu buildings. There are also many anti-tank obstacles in neighboring beaches, artifacts of the tense relations between Taiwan and China. Philip Hsiaopong Liu, Professor and the IMAS director, stated that the NTOU campus itself is a historical and political site and effectively inspires students from both schools to study. Just a few miles away from the campus, students found that many bunkers, which were originally designed to defend invasions from the Chinese mainland, have been redesigned to cultural attractions and therefore generate revenue from tourists. This tourism-based style of regional revival strategies also apply to old military tunnels, which used to be humid accommodation for soldiers, have turned out to be perfect storerooms to age liquor. Apart from learning on land, when taking a boat from Beigan Island to Nangan Island, the students soon understood how close Matsu and mainland China were, which led to a better understanding of the bilateral links in the past hundreds of years. Ferit Oguzturk, an IMAS student from Turkey, said that his country also had similar experiences with neighbors, and some could apply to contemporary cross-strait relations. NTOU Professor Tseng Sheng-wen pointed out that these island experiences were not only providing new information to the students, but also provided a new way of studying In the workshop, other than discussing development experiences in Japan and Taiwan, Kim Sohyun, an IMAS student from Korea, analyzed development problems of islands between North and South Korea. The presentation by Jules Legouis, from France, attracted much attention. He argued that by designing the location of Allied landing in 1944, Normandy has become an important war memorial and museum, which generates a total income of about 160 billion NTD, roughly half of Taiwan’s yearly defense budget, from tourists. Two audience members in the workshop, Mr. Chun-chieh Wang, Chairman of Hung Shun Marine Co., Ltd and Ms. Tammy Tsai, Director of Matsu Community Empowerment Network, both believed that Normandy experiences are valuable to economic development in Matsu. IMAS Director Philip Hsiaopong Liu points out that a workshop on the outlying islands of Taiwan is a new model of IMAS innovative teaching. IMAS thanks NTOU for providing the Matsu campus so that IMAS international students could meet with Taiwanese students in different places, as well as inspire new ways of thinking. IMAS will continue to hold workshops with other schools in the future, and he hopes to see more students join IMAS family.