National Chung Hsing University Signs MOU with the German University of Technology in Oman A New Milestone in Taiwan–Oman Higher Education Collaboration

Source: Office of International Affairs, National Chung Hsing University

National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) and the German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on academic cooperation, marking the first higher education partnership between top universities of Taiwan and Oman in nearly two decades. The agreement signifies a historic breakthrough and a new chapter in bilateral academic exchange between the two nations.

The signing ceremony was held at NCHU and witnessed by key representatives from both governments and academia. The MOU was signed by NCHU President Fuh-Jyh Jan and Hon. Dr. Hussain Al Salmi, Vice Rector of GUtech and a member of the Omani State Council. Distinguished guests included Minister Sheng-Ping Teng of Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, First Education Secretary Jing Zeng, Department of International and Cross-strait Education of the Ministry of Education, and Mr. Mohammed Muslem Said Al Baraami, Representative of Oman in Taiwan. Their presence underscored the strong governmental and academic commitment to this pioneering collaboration.

Oman’s Growing Presence in Global Higher Education
Oman’s higher education sector has seen rapid advancement in recent years. In 2025, five Omani universities entered the QS World University Rankings for the first time — the public Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) and four private universities: University of Nizwa, Sohar University, German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech), and Dhofar University — reflecting the nation’s rising academic and international competitiveness.

Since 2024, NCHU has actively pursued academic exchanges with Omani institutions. Led by Vice President Chi-Chung Chou, Dean Ming-Der Yang of the College of Engineering, and Dean Ching-Chih Tsai of the College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, NCHU delegations visited SQU, Sohar University, and GUtech. In early 2025, Prof. Ahmed Khalfan Al-Rawahi, President of the University of Nizwa, paid a return visit to NCHU, resulting in another MOU between the two universities. NCHU thus became the first Taiwanese university to sign cooperation agreements with Oman’s leading universities since Taiwan’s academic degrees were formally recognized by the Omani Ministry of Higher Education.

Deepening Ties through Reciprocal Visits and Collaborative Projects
The GUtech delegation, led by Hon. Dr. Hussain Al Salmi, visited Taiwan from October 12 to 16. Members included Dr. Sabriya Al Naamani, Head of International Affairs; Eng. Mohamed Al Salmi, Director of Smart Fabrications & Construction Technologies; Dr. Yasmine Souissi, Director of Research Consultancy Office; and Dr. Ali Al Humairi, Senior lecturer in Computer Science Department.

During their visit, the delegation toured the i-Center for Advanced Science and Technology and the Smart Manufacturing Talent and Technology Cultivation Base at NCHU, as well as the Taichung Veterans General Hospital, which is ranked among the world’s top 100 Smart Hospitals. They also visited CH Biotech Corporation and The World of Semiconductors Exhibition at the National Museum of Natural Science, exploring potential areas for future collaboration.

Building a Bridge for Taiwan–Oman Academic Cooperation
This MOU represents the first major higher education partnership between Taiwan and Oman, laying a solid foundation for future faculty and student exchanges, joint research, industry–academia cooperation, and smart technology collaboration. It not only strengthens NCHU’s academic influence in the Middle East but also expands Taiwan’s global higher education network into new frontiers.

In addition to this agreement, NCHU has already signed a partnership with the University of Nizwa and is in active discussions with Sohar University and Sultan Qaboos University. NCHU aims to establish formal partnerships with all of Oman’s top universities, creating a comprehensive framework for Taiwan–Oman higher education collaboration.

President Jan: A Breakthrough in Internationalization and Educational Diplomacy
President Fuh-Jyh Jan remarked, “This partnership marks a major step forward in NCHU’s internationalization and in expanding Taiwan’s higher education engagement in the Middle East. The signing of this MOU not only launches academic cooperation between our two universities but also symbolizes the deepening of educational diplomacy between Taiwan and Oman. NCHU will continue working with Omani universities in areas such as smart technologies, sustainable development, and innovation-driven industry–academia collaboration.”

NCHU expressed its sincere appreciation to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Oman for its longstanding efforts in fostering educational and academic ties between the two countries. The sustained groundwork laid by the office made this collaboration possible and reflects Oman’s growing recognition of Taiwan’s academic excellence.

Currently, only five Taiwanese universities — including NCHU — are officially recognized by the Omani government. This latest partnership further solidifies NCHU’s position as a key bridge between Taiwan and Oman in higher education cooperation.