By Michael Aaron Gomez
Ateneo de Davao University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Sun Yat-Sen University (NSYSU) at the International Hall of the Ambassador Hotel Kaohsiung in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan last 3 December 2017.
Ateneo de Davao University Center for Politics and International Affairs (CPIA) Director Neil Ryan Pancho, represented the University at the signing. Dr. Hung-Jeng Tsai represented the NSYSU Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS).
The MOU marked the beginning of the mutual relationship between the CPIA and the CSEAS. The two organizations and their respective universities agreed to develop academic and educational cooperation and promote mutual understanding.
The MOU also set the agreement to conduct collaborative activities in academic areas of mutual interest on the basis of equality, reciprocity, professionalism, and integrity. This is done through research exchange, student exchange, collaborative research projects and publication, lectures, symposia, conferences and research presentations, publications and academic materials exchange.
CSEAS aims to advance the academic cooperation among Southeast Asian universities, the National Sun Yat-Sen University, and other Taiwanese academic institutions. It also intends to develop projects based on Southern Taiwan-Southeast Asian “understanding and cooperation,” eco-friendly industrial development, and Taiwanese-Southeast Asian exchange of talent and technology.
The Center for Southeast Asian Studies was established in view of the Taiwanese government’s 2016 New Southbound Policy and is also supported by the city government of Kaohsiung.