In an exciting step toward international collaboration, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa welcomed a delegation from the National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU) in May as both universities prepare to implement a program for an accelerated pathway to a master’s degree for international students from undergraduate institutions abroad.
The initiative, “3+2 bachelor’s and master’s dual degree program,” with NTOU stems from agreements signed by the universities in November 2023 during a visit to Taiwan by UH President David Lassner.
“We’re not only enhancing educational opportunities but also building bridges between cultures,” said Lassner. “This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to advancing global understanding and academic excellence.”
The NTOU delegation was focused on research strengths shared by both universities during its visit to UH Mānoa. Those areas include ocean engineering, shipping management, food science, environmental biology and fisheries science.
NTOU representatives met with School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology Dean Chip Fletcher and College of Engineering Dean Brennon Morioka to discuss ways to develop an expanded pathway for NTOU students to earn graduate degrees at UH Mānoa.
More intercampus opportunities
Starting in the summer 2025, NTOU and UH plan to open applications for UH students to intern at the Taiwan university. The short-term program aims to enhance the UH students’ understanding of life in Taiwan and research fields at NTOU.
Opportunities for studying abroad have also been extended to students in the UH Mānoa Chinese Flagship Program. A three-year capstone program, providing students the opportunity to pursue yearlong Chinese language study in Taiwan, was made possible through a donation by NTOU alumnus Chia-Pei Wang, facilitated by the Alice & JP Wang Foundation and the UH Foundation.
The NTOU Chinese Language Center is also considering collaboration with UH in Chinese language teaching.
