On the 28th November, the Taiwan Studies Programme at the University of Oxford was officially launched with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Taiwan’s Ministry of Education and the University of Oxford.
The ceremony was co-hosted by the Taipei Representative Office in the UK (TRO) and the University of Oxford, with Taiwan’s Representative to the UK Kelly Wu-chiao Hsieh delivering a speech on Taiwan’s development and contemporary importance. He pointed out that despite facing constant challenges, Taiwan has evolved into a multicultural country which practices freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. Mr. Hsieh also stressed Taiwan’s successful economic development, noting that “with a GDP that ranks 20th in the world, Taiwan might have been eligible to become a member of the G20.” He emphasised that Taiwan takes seriously global issues such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and seeks the solidarity of like-minded partners around the world, due to Taiwan itself being threatened by an expansionist authoritarian power. Representative Hsieh concluded by saying he very much hopes that “Why Taiwan Matters” will become one of the main research topics at the Taiwan Studies Programme.
Administered by the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies, the Taiwan Studies Programme is expected to cover a wide range of disciplines including economy, science and technology, politics, anthropology, and many other important issues relating to Taiwan.
The University of Oxford is the third British academic institution, after the University of Cambridge and the School of Oriental and African Studies, at which the TRO has supported the founding of a Taiwan Studies Programme, illustrating the growing interest in Taiwan among British students, and reflecting the growing importance of Taiwan in world affairs.
