By Mae Thiwari
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on November 12, 2021 with the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Research Center of Feng Chia University (FCU) in Taiwan to enable development of joint master and doctoral degree programs as well as to extend collaborations on academic and technical exchanges. More collaborations will also follow with another Institute-level MoU to be signed between the two institutions.
The near-term possibilities enabled by this agreement include joint projects proposals, co-supervision of graduate students and sharing of courses remotely. In addition, collaborations may also include exchange of students and faculty members as short-term visiting scholars, leading to the possibility of innovative collaborative international Master-PhD programs.
“Frankly, this is a very natural partnership, as Feng Chia University and the Asian University of Technology share many things in common,” AIT President Dr. Eden Woon said. Since AIT and FCU were founded in 1959 and 1961 respectively, the two institutions have been producing skilled graduates to tackle global challenges. Through the application of advanced technologies -- such as Geographic Information Systems – the two partners can work toward achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, the president added.
The Geographic Information Systems Research Center of Feng Chia University (GIC.FCU) is the first officially approved GIS Research Center in Taiwan, earning well-deserved accolades internationally for its significant scientific achievements since 1995. The center has enjoyed international collaborations with international partners such as NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
“AIT is very famous worldwide as an institute with very good teaching and very good research performance,” said Prof. Tien-Yin Chou, Director of GIC.FCU, in his remarks. With his center’s experience in disaster management projects, Prof. Chou proposed that the collaboration with AIT starts with a disaster management project. Prof. Chou and his team have been working with Prof. Sangam Shrestha, Head of AIT’s Department of Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, and Dr. Ho Huu Loc, Assistant Professor of Water Engineering and Management, to develop mutually beneficial collaborations.
Adding that he felt honored to sign an MoU with AIT, the Director of GIC.FCU invited the President of Feng Chia University Dr. Bing-Jean Lee to give remarks. In his remarks, President Lee highlighted that just last week, it was announced that Taiwan Space Union would have an office in FCU, paving the way for space technology development. In addition to earth observation, FCU will also be working on space.
In this regard, President Lee proposed, “I would like to ask President Woon if we could upgrade the Memorandum of Understanding to sign not only between AIT and Feng Chia University GIS Research Center, but also with Feng Chia University.” The idea was promptly accepted by AIT President Woon who agreed with upgrading the MoU.
Feng Chia University (FCU) is the largest university in central Taiwan and is the third oldest, providing undergraduate and graduate studies. There are about 20,000 students on an average each year, studying in its nine colleges of Engineering, Business, Sciences, Construction and Development, Information and Electrical Engineering, Finance, Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Management and Development, School of Technology and Management. FCU is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.