Written by  NCKU Office of Internation Affairs.Image credit to NCKU News Center.
 

National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) and the Université d’État d’Haïti (UEH) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on October 7, 2026, establishing a framework for expanded collaboration in higher education, research, and talent development. The agreement marks an important step toward strengthening academic ties between Taiwan and Haiti.
 

National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) and Université d’État d’Haïti (UEH) sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with representatives from both universities posing for a group photo following the signing ceremony.
 

The MOU signing ceremony was held at NCKU and attended by H.E. Roudy Stanley PENN, Ambassador of the Republic of Haiti to the Republic of China (Taiwan), and an UEH delegation led by Dr. Dieuseul PREDELUS, Rector of the Université d’État d’Haïti. The MOU was signed by NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen, while Executive Vice President Shyy-Woei Chang represented NCKU in welcoming the delegation from Université d’État d’Haïti (UEH).
 

The agreement provides a foundation for substantive cooperation in areas including student and faculty exchange, joint research, academic programs, and other fields of mutual interest. Through the partnership, NCKU and UEH aim to connect faculty members, researchers, and students and translate institutional collaboration into concrete academic exchange and research initiatives.
 

During the meeting, the UEH delegation highlighted challenges shared by Taiwan and Haiti, including limited resources, natural disasters, infrastructure and community resilience, and sustainable development. Despite differences in their historical and social contexts, the two sides recognized the value of sharing knowledge and expertise through higher education and research, with the goal of exploring practical responses to common challenges.
 

Building on these shared areas of interest, the universities discussed potential fields for interdisciplinary collaboration. By leveraging their respective academic expertise, research capacities, and distinctive research environments, NCKU and UEH will continue to explore opportunities for collaborative research and academic initiatives.
 

The UEH delegation also expressed strong interest in NCKU’s approach to talent development, particularly its experience in student employability, industry-academia collaboration, career development, and graduate tracking. As facilitating the transition from higher education to the workforce remains an important challenge for young people in Haiti, UEH looks forward to exchanging experience with NCKU in student development and career preparation.
 

NCKU Executive Vice President Shyy-Woei Chang (second from left) exchanges views with Dr. Dieuseul PREDELUS, Rector of the Université d’État d’Haïti (second from right) and H.E. Roudy Stanley PENN, Ambassador of the Republic of Haiti to Taiwan(first from right), discussing future directions and opportunities for collaboration.
 

A “3+1+2” undergraduate-to-master’s pathway was also discussed as a potential area of concrete collaboration. Under the preliminary model, students would complete their first three years of undergraduate study at UEH, spend their fourth year at NCKU as exchange students, and subsequently pursue a two-year master’s degree at NCKU. Public health has been identified as an initial area for consideration. The proposed model remains under discussion and would be subject to further evaluation of curriculum alignment, admissions and degree requirements, administrative procedures, and applicable regulations.
 

Public health is expected to serve as an important entry point for further academic cooperation. NCKU’s Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, including English-taught courses, and provides an international learning environment with students from diverse backgrounds, including the Caribbean region. Both universities will continue to explore opportunities to integrate their academic and curricular resources to facilitate student exchange and potential degree pathways.
 

NCKU also introduced its support services for international students and the Chinese Language Center, including Chinese language courses, cultural activities, language exchange, short-term study opportunities, and other international student support initiatives. The two sides further discussed the potential integration of scholarships, Chinese language education, cultural exchange, student and faculty mobility, and research opportunities to support a more comprehensive approach to international talent development.
 

Looking ahead, NCKU and UEH aim to build upon the newly established partnership and advance from institutional exchange toward concrete academic programs and research collaboration. Through student and faculty exchange, joint research, academic and degree programs, and knowledge exchange, the partnership will provide students with opportunities to broaden their international perspectives and encourage them to apply their knowledge and expertise to the development of their respective societies.
 

The signing of the MOU marks an important step in strengthening higher education collaboration between Taiwan and Haiti. Building on their complementary strengths and shared experiences, NCKU and UEH will continue to explore feasible models of cooperation, promote academic development and international talent cultivation, and contribute to sustainable development through higher education and research.