Strengthening Collaboration: Visit from Mapua University, Philippines

Translated by: Sharon Hsu, Office of International Affairs

Mapua University from the Philippines visited on November 13, 2023, where an agreement memorandum for the Joint Conduct of International Conference on Sustainable Environmental Technologies 2025 was signed by President of National Chung Hsing University, Professor Dr. Fuh-Jyh Jan, and President of Mapua University, Dr. Dodjie S. Maestrecampo.

Established in 1925, Mapua University is renowned as the largest engineering school in the Philippines, specializing in engineering and architecture. The delegation included the newly appointed President, Dr. Dodjie S. Maestrecampo, who assumed office in July 2023, and Director for Office of International Linkages for Research and Development, Dr. Delia B. Senoro. National Chung Hsing University was represented by President Dr. Fuh-Jyh Jan, along with Associate Vice President for International Affairs, Dr. Kai-Jung Chi, Director of Academic Exchange Division, Dr. Edith Su, and Dr. Ming-Chun Lu from the Department of Environmental Engineering.

President Jan warmly welcomed Mapua University's visit and expressed anticipation for increased future exchanges and collaboration between the two institutions. Despite the official sisterhood agreement being established in 2023, the proactive attitudes of both universities are poised to create more possibilities, facilitating the progress of collaborative initiatives. President Dr. Dodjie S. Maestrecampo of Mapua University emphasized Mapua's prominence as a distinguished engineering institution in the Philippines, highlighting existing collaborations with Taiwanese institutions across the northern, central, and southern regions.

Both National Chung Hsing University and Mapua University boast rich histories, with a mere six-year age gap in their founding. The current visit aims to expand potential collaboration areas and deepen the interaction between the two universities, aspiring to create a fraternal partnership in the future. President Jan, on behalf of National Chung Hsing University, sincerely welcomed Mapua University's delegation, expressing hope for continued opportunities for exchange and collaboration.

Following the conference, Mapua University delegation met with Dean Chieh-Chen Huang of the College of Life Sciences to discuss future collaboration areas and directions. They also visited NCHU Museum of Natural History and other relevant facilities. Subsequently, the guests proceeded to the Department of Chemical Engineering, where they were received by the department chair, Prof. Rong-Ho Lee, along with Prof. Sung-Chyr Lin, Prof. Che-Yi Chu, Prof. Wen-Hsuan Chiang, Prof. Vincentius Surya Kurnia Adi, and Prof. Yan-Yu Chen. Discussions during the laboratory tours covered potential collaborative initiatives such as joint research, faculty exchanges, and dual-degree programs.

This visit symbolizes the proactive collaborative attitude of both universities in the field of education, with the potential to foster cultural and academic exchanges between National Chung Hsing University and Mapua University, opening new chapters for future deepened cooperation.