Chung Yuan Christian University has emerged as a leader in global higher education, earning EU “Jean Monnet Program” course module certification and officially launching the program in 2024. Four courses were offered in the 112th academic year, along with a successful summer field workshop in Berlin, Germany. Recently, Martin Holland, Secretary-General of the Asia-Pacific European Studies Association, visited Chung Yuan, laying a strong foundation for future EU project applications and furthering international connections for Chung Yuan students.
Since 1998, the EU has established “Centers of Excellence” at prominent universities worldwide, supporting the development of EU-related teaching, research, and cooperation through the “Jean Monnet Program.” Through a competitive process, Chung Yuan received a €30,000 grant to initiate the program in 2024, deepening international exchange and aligning with EU higher education standards.
On September 25, Prof. Hung-dah Su, Director of the Taiwan EU Center, and CEO Cheng Chia-ching introduced Martin Holland, Secretary-General of the Asia-Pacific European Studies Association and a professor at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, to Chung Yuan. During his visit, Prof. Holland met with President Lee Ying-ming and other representatives to discuss new developments in EU studies and EU community exchanges in the Indo-Pacific region, enhancing understanding of New Zealand’s EU research landscape. Prof. Holland’s extensive involvement with EU programs and strong ties with European universities and the European Commission will be instrumental in supporting Chung Yuan’s future EU-related initiatives and fostering international collaboration.
Chung Yuan Christian University’s “Jean Monnet Program” course module is collaboratively developed by faculty from the School of Design, College of Engineering, College of Business, and the General Education Center, with a focus on integrating EU policies to enhance cultural heritage and sustainable development goals. Emphasizing the EU’s unique “humanistic” social ideals alongside “sustainable” strategies, the curriculum is structured around three core themes: EU Cultural Heritage and Urban Landscapes (School of Design), EU Culture and Social Development (General Education and Business), and EU Culture and Sustainable Environment (Engineering and General Education). A total of 10 EU-related courses are planned.
Courses offered in the 112th academic year included: “EU Culture and Environmental Development,” “EU Cultural Construction and Social Equality Policies,” “European Cultural Routes and Industrial Heritage Preservation,” and “People and Place – European Landscape Interpretation and Expression,” which received enthusiastic student feedback. For the 113th academic year, four more courses are underway: “Human-centered EU Cities,” “Topics in European Culture,” “EU Cultural Tourism and Marketing,” and “EU’s Peaceful and Sustainable Arctic Strategy.”
Additionally, the “European Industrial Landscape International Workshop” field course for the 113th academic year was successfully conducted in Berlin this August. Chung Yuan faculty and students engaged in direct collaboration with the Berlin Center for Industrial Culture (bzi), working alongside bzi researchers and architects to jointly develop workshop courses.
Associate Professor Lin Hsiao-Wei, Program Director of Chung Yuan Christian University’s “Jean Monnet Program” course module and a faculty member in the Department of Architecture, was invited to present on “Industrial Heritage – a Global Perspective,” sharing insights on industrial heritage preservation in Asia and Taiwan. She introduced Chung Yuan’s achievements in this field to 22 participants from around the world attending the bzi Industrial Heritage Summer School.
In addition to lecture courses, students participated in the three-day program at the Industrial Heritage Summer School hosted by the Berlin Center for Industrial Culture. They visited cultural heritage sites and museums in Berlin, enriching their learning experience and expanding their international perspective. The curriculum included expert lectures on the “European Route of Industrial Heritage,” as well as sessions on urban planning and historical research. Chung Yuan faculty and students actively engaged in presentations and discussions with other summer school participants, gaining valuable insights.
Lin Hsiao-Wei, Program Director of Chung Yuan Christian University’s “Jean Monnet Program” course module, noted that the program aims to equip students and young professionals with EU-related knowledge and foster dialogue between the EU and the global higher education community. It also seeks to advance EU research, share teaching experiences, and incorporate EU perspectives into professional courses, ultimately enhancing Chung Yuan students’ international mobility and competitiveness.
