The students from the renowned Taiwanese business school, “the International Trade Institute (ITI)”, commenced their "Overseas Study Course" at Dublin City University (DCU) on Monday, April 3rd, 2017. Representative Tu was invited to participate in the opening ceremony for the incoming students and encouraged them to seize this opportunity to learn more about foreign trade and international business. The CEO of DCU’s University Language Services Team, Mr. Cathal Maye, and the Director of the Taiwan Trade Center in London, Mr. Jeremy Horng, were also in attendance. Representative Tu, Mr. Horng and the students from the ITI were warmly welcomed to DCU.
2017 marks the ninth year of cooperation between the International Trade Institute and Dublin City University in the Institute’s two-year, English language International Business Management training program. The course is designed to provide Taiwanese students of foreign trade with an international perspective and thus help to strengthen Taiwan’s economy and international market competitiveness in the future. This year, a total of 20 young students have come to Ireland to participate in research activities and training courses. They will study Ireland’s economic and trade development, business investment environment and company operations and will also intern with companies based here. In doing so, the students will enhance their understanding of the international market and business practice, learn more about Ireland’s culture, and take the opportunity improve their English language skills, which will be an advantage to them in their future international business careers.
The occasion was hosted by Mr. Maye and invited Representative Tu and Mr. Horng to say a few words. In his speech, Representative Tu remarked that the exchange students were the future of Taiwan's foreign trade. He stated that he hoped their two months in Ireland would be beneficial and would help them to hone their English language skills and learn more about the Ireland’s market, business practice, and culture. By staying with local host families the students will be able to immerse themselves in Ireland’s tradition and living and learn more about Ireland’s history and geography. By forging these links, the students will help to further develop economic and trade relations between Taiwan and Ireland.
Representative Tu also pointed out that the total bilateral trade between Taiwan and Ireland is currently €700 million (a 17% increase on recent years) which means that Ireland is now Taiwan’s 12th biggest trading partner in the EU. Ireland and Taiwan are quite similar in economic terms; both are island economies, both offer springboards into major economies (in continental Europe and mainland China respectively) and both have huge economic and trade development potential. The two countries also have small domestic markets and are export-oriented; foreign trade thus plays an important role in their economic prosperity. Ireland’s software industry and Taiwan's electronic manufacturing industry are also complementary, while the demand for Ireland’s agricultural and animal husbandry products, biotechnology products, communications equipment, and whiskey is also strong in Taiwan. Ireland’s financial, banking and legal sectors are of a very high standard, and are undoubtedly worth studying and understanding.
Representative Tu further remarked that Ireland would soon become the only English-speaking country in the European Union, given the UK’s recent decision to leave the EU. Ireland’s high level of human capital and language skills makes it an important market for investment and a vital partner in international cooperation. In addition, Ireland’s 12.5% corporate tax rate and high level of ICT knowledge has led many major multinational corporations such as Google, Facebook, Twitter, IBM, Apple and others to establish their European headquarters here. There is of course much room for improvement in economic and trade relations between Ireland and Taiwan, and Representative Tu stated his hope that the incoming students will be able to develop this relationship further. A successful Q&A session followed Representative Tu’s and Mr. Horng’s speech. Overall, the event proved to be a great success with an enthusiastic atmosphere. To finish proceedings the incoming students and dignitaries assembled for a commemorative photograph outside DCU to mark the memorable occasion and to look forward to a successful study period.
Photo Caption 1: Representative Tu (centre), the CEO of DCU’s University Language Services Team; Mr. Cathal Maye (second row, centre) and the Director of the Taiwan Trade Center in London; Mr. Jeremy Horng (right of centre) with incoming students from ITI pose for a photo outside DCU
Photo Caption 2: Representative Tu speaking to the students and dignitaries present and encouraging greater cooperation and trade relations between Ireland and Taiwan
