The University of Notre Dame Australia has strengthened a 20-year strong alliance with a top Taiwanese university, in a move that will increase opportunities for exchange programs and international research collaborations.
Notre Dame and Fu Jen Catholic University, a private university in New Taipei City, have had a partnership since 2002, with staff and students travelling between the universities several times.
The connection between the universities was strengthened recently with the signing of a five-year Memorandum of Understanding and a five-year Student Exchange Agreement at Notre Dame’s Sydney campus.
The universities have agreed to work collaboratively to promote short-term immersions for students, collaborative academic research, staff exchange and the exchange of academic materials.
This will raise awareness of the high-quality education and research offerings at both Notre Dame and Fu Jen, give staff and students more exchange opportunities, strengthen international research and increase the resources available to each university.
The new Student Exchange Agreement commits each university to accepting exchange students for either an academic year or an academic semester, enhancing the educational experience and enriching the cultural understandings of students.
Notre Dame’s Deputy Vice Chancellor International and Partnerships, Professor Michelle Campbell, said the agreements recognised the value of forming and strengthening international strategic alliances between the universities.
“We were delighted to welcome to our Sydney campus the President of Fu Jen Catholic University of Taiwan, Professor Francis Yi-Chen Lan, along with seven of his senior colleagues from their international office, and some of their college directors,” she said.
“Notre Dame and Fu Jen Catholic University share a distinct Catholic identity and a strong desire to deliver an enriched experience for students, staff and academics.
“We look forward to furthering our collaborations with Fu Jen, who next year will be celebrating their 100-year anniversary.”