The Programme
Programme in European Union Studies
"We are the Programme in European Union Studies at National Chengchi Univeristy (NCCU), Taiwan. "
Mission and Objectives: Teaching on the European Union
As a university with a strong emphasis on the humanities and social sciences, National Chengchi University focuses on developing its core values, exerting influence in the academic arena, and enhancing its contributions to society. For this reason, the University must engage in broader and closer academic cooperation and exchanges with other universities, and even pursue academic integration.
As early as 2008, National Chengchi University participated in the establishment of the "Taiwan European Union Centre" and became a member of a seven-university alliance (with other members including National Taiwan University, Fu Jen Catholic University, Tamkang University, National Chung Hsing University, National Sun Yat-sen University, and National Dong Hwa University). Over the years, National Chengchi University has possessed the most extensive pool of expertise in European studies and has hosted the richest array of related academic activities in Taiwan. In considering how to provide proactive support for European Union education in Taiwan, President Ming-Jen Kuo, drawing on his experience studying in Europe, proposed the idea of the "International Credit Program in European Union Studies” (hereinafter referred to as the "EU Credit Program") and put it into practice. The EU Credit Program is both inter-university in nature, with the primary goal of expanding into a seven-university alliance, and transnational in scope, leading students onto European campuses.
On February 1, 2021, National Chengchi University officially became a member of the "University System of Taiwan" (with other members including National Central University, National Tsing Hua University, and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University; hereinafter referred to as the "UST System"), marking the beginning of a new era of development. In the future, National Chengchi University is set to become a core force within the UST System in research and teaching related to international affairs, while the inter-university and transnational nature of the EU Credit Program symbolizes forward-looking strategic planning.
The Importance of European Union Studies
With its rich humanistic and political traditions and its overall economic scale, the European Union plays a pivotal role in contemporary international society. Amid the current reality of strategic competition between the United States and China, the European Union bears an even greater responsibility as a balancing and mediating force. In other words, the EU’s achievements and characteristics in the humanistic, political, and economic domains are all worthy of in-depth study and learning.
In fact, the number of student exchanges between Taiwan and EU member states has increased year by year, demonstrating the considerable success of cooperation between Taiwan and the EU in the field of education. Taiwanese students pursue further studies in EU countries through degree programs in higher education, exchange programs, and various forms of language training.
Through academic exchange, the program aims to foster students' growth in the field of international relations, enabling them to specialize in the study of the EU's political and economic roles and status, as well as the policy interactions between the EU and major powers, thereby gaining a profound understanding of future changes in the global power structure.
Planning and Establishment of the EU Credit Program
To create an internationalized learning environment, cultivate interdisciplinary professionals, and enhance National Chengchi University’s international influence, and in accordance with the resolutions of the "Preparatory Meeting for the Transnational and Inter-University European Union Credit Program" held on July 27, 2020, the College of International Affairs established the "European Union Studies Credit Program." Beginning in the second semester of the 2020 academic year, the College has been responsible for coordinating faculty from within the College, from other colleges within the University, from other universities, and from international institutions to jointly offer EU-related courses. Through the operation of this program, outstanding domestic and international scholars are invited, together with students from the Taiwan European Union Centre, to come to NCCU and jointly create a more professional learning environment focused on EU-related issues.
Program Features
The distinctive feature of the "European Union Studies Credit Program" lies in its design of transnational, inter-university, inter-college, and interdisciplinary courses. It integrates faculty resources from various colleges within NCCU and from partner universities in Europe and Asia, while also bringing together domestic and international students for joint discussion and learning. Through this approach, the program develops research on EU political and economic development with Asian characteristics, and further consolidates the University's reputation and standing in Asia and globally.
In terms of transnational cooperation, during the preparatory phase, the program actively collaborated with the Institute for European Studies at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) in Belgium, enabling students enrolled in the program to attend summer schools at ULB. At the same time, academic cooperation has been discussed with a number of renowned European universities, providing excellent opportunities for students interested in pursuing degrees in EU member states.
With regard to inter-university collaboration, the program has signed an inter-university course enrollment agreement with National Taiwan University, one of the members of the Taiwan EU Centre, ensuring that students in the program have access to the top EU-related courses offered by both universities. Meanwhile, the program continues to negotiate with other sister universities within the seven-university alliance, with the expectation of securing more diverse course options for students.
In terms of inter-college collaboration, the program integrates on-campus resources and works jointly with the College of Foreign Languages and Literature, the College of Law, and the College of Commerce to offer courses with diverse perspectives and broad coverage. At the same time, students enrolled in these courses are able to build their own interdisciplinary networks during the learning process, thereby enhancing their competitiveness in diverse markets in the future.
