New Southbound Policy Portal

A scholar (left) from Taipei City-based Shih Chien University leads a TSP-supported panel discussion at Thailand’s Naresuan University in August 2018. (Courtesy of MOE)

The Taiwan Studies Project is set to expand into Malaysia via a literary initiative with Kuala Lumpur-based University of Malaya, according to the Ministry of Education May 6.
 
Expected to commence in August, the year-round program centers largely on raising awareness and understanding of Taiwan-Malaysia texts. Key objectives include analyzing common cultural themes, as well as exploring major differences in content arising from local influences.
 
The MOE said the collaboration is another strong step forward in ongoing efforts to grow the TSP footprint at leading tertiary education institutions across Southeast Asia.
 
By increasing the number of TSP courses in fields like art, economy, history, language, literature and politics, the bonds of friendship and understanding are strengthened between Taiwan and like-minded countries throughout the region, the ministry added.
 
The MOE said the TSP involves much more than classes. Academic exchanges, publications, research, scholarships, seminars and workshops are just some of the many collaborative undertakings designed to cultivate talents knowledgeable of Taiwan and raise the country’s profile.
 
Launched in 2003, the TSP initially targeted Europe and North America before including Southeast Asia in its brief 14 years later. The ministry has since successfully co-organized six initiatives with six universities in Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. (HC-E)