Guwahati: The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) in Assam has entered into a significant partnership with the education division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre in India (TECC) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing cultural and educational exchange.
The MoU was signed by the Director of IITG Prof Devendra Jalihal and the Director of the education division of TECC Peters Chen.
The MoU, effective from August 13, 2024, marks a pivotal step in strengthening bilateral relations between India and Taiwan through education, language and cultural learning.
This agreement heralds a new chapter in the collaboration between India and Taiwan in education, technology enhancement and industry interaction.
Highlighting IITG’s commitment to fostering international educational ties and providing its students with diverse learning opportunities, Prof Jalihal said that this collaboration with TECC is a pivotal moment for the institute as it aligns with its mission to offer students a truly global education.
“By integrating Mandarin language instruction into our curriculum and building strong connections with leading Taiwanese institutions, we are not only enhancing our students’ linguistic skills but also broadening their understanding of different cultures,” he said.
“This partnership opens new academic, industry and research opportunities, allowing our students to explore diverse educational pathways and develop a deeper appreciation for the global landscape, especially in semiconductor industries,” he added.
“We are excited about the possibilities this collaboration brings and are confident that it will significantly contribute to the holistic development of our students,” Prof Jalihal further said.
Under this collaboration, TECC will assist IITG in recruiting Mandarin teachers who are experts in designing curriculum and evaluating foreign language courses.
These teachers will conduct Mandarin language courses over the required semesters, helping to broaden students’ linguistic skills and cultural understanding, specifically those interested to pursue internships and careers in Taiwan semiconductor and agritech industries.
In return, IITG will provide the necessary infrastructure to establish the Taiwan Education Centre on campus, where classes, seminars and bilateral exchange programmes will be conducted.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, the education division of TECC has established 25 Taiwan Education Centres in India. Along with 10 established earlier, this MOU marked the 36th Taiwan Education Centre in India.
Speaking at the event, the Director of the education division of TECC, Peters Chen, said that the IITG, as one of the top universities in India, is not only the key driving force for Northeast India but an accelerator for the semiconductor industry in India.
“It’s glad that we will work together to provide students with Mandarin language skills, Taiwanese culture and more exchange programmes between universities of India and Taiwan. We will recruit a Taiwanese teacher soon to come to campus,” Chen said.
“The teacher will also hold the Test of Chinese Language as Foreign Language (TOCFL) at campus if there are students who hope to take the test and get a certificate. In addition, students will have better opportunities for further studying in Taiwan majoring in the interested fields with scholarship,” Chen added.
This collaboration aims to introduce Indian students to Mandarin language learning by offering access to high-quality instruction from qualified teachers.
In doing so, IITG seeks to equip students with valuable linguistic and cultural skills that are increasingly important in today’s globalised world.
The partnership is also designed to deepen bilateral ties between IITG and Taiwanese universities. By facilitating academic exchanges and other collaborative endeavours, this initiative will create a robust network of cooperation, strengthening educational and cultural connections between the two regions.
The MoU will remain in effect for three years from the date of signing, with provisions for amendment and extension.