To advance international academic collaboration and cross-border educational exchange, the College of Design at Chung Yuan Christian University (CYCU) has signed a college-level Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Faculty of Architecture at Chiang Mai University, Thailand. The partnership marks a new milestone in collaborative research and teaching in the fields of landscape, architecture, and cultural environments, while providing students with broader international perspectives on Southeast Asian cultural landscapes and sustainable design.
The collaboration was initiated by the Department of Landscape Architecture at the College of Design, Chung Yuan Christian University. As part of the exchange, Dr. Worrasit Tantinipankul, Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture and Associate Dean for International and Research Affairs at the Faculty of Architecture, Chiang Mai University, visited Taiwan for a series of lectures, academic exchanges, and campus visits. He also participated in design reviews for sophomore studio courses, engaging students in discussions on landscape planning and cultural preservation through international case studies.
Dean Chao Chia-Lin of the College of Design at CYCU noted that the partnership establishes a strong foundation for future joint courses, faculty exchanges, and collaborative research. Both institutions plan to develop short-term cross-border programs and explore comparative studies on cultural landscapes, settlement development, and historical contexts in northern Thailand and Taoyuan’s Longgang area.
During his visit, Dr. Worrasit Tantinipankul from Chiang Mai University delivered three lectures on Southeast Asian historical cities, water resource management, cultural landscape preservation, and sustainable development. The sessions introduced students and faculty to the Lanna cultural landscape and historic settlement systems of northern Thailand.
As a leading research university in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai University has long focused on Lanna architecture, historic urban environments, and cultural landscape studies. CYCU’s College of Design similarly emphasizes the integration of humanities, environment, society, and technology, with a strong commitment to local culture and sustainability. In recent years, the Department of Landscape Architecture has actively engaged in cultural preservation and community revitalization projects in Taoyuan’s Longgang district, earning recognition in the 2026 Global Views USR University Social Responsibility Awards for its contributions to local engagement and sustainable development.
CYCU noted that the collaboration with Chiang Mai University also aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Quality Education, Partnerships for the Goals, Clean Water and Sanitation, and Sustainable Cities and Communities. The partnership highlights CYCU’s ongoing efforts to strengthen international engagement and sustainability education, while fostering deeper exchanges between Taiwan and Southeast Asia on cultural landscapes and environmental sustainability.
