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Taiwan's Commitment to Strengthening Educational Ties with Europe

From September 9 to 12, 2025, the 35th Annual Conference of the European Association for International Education (EAIE) took place in Gothenburg, Sweden. This pivotal event saw nearly 50 delegates representing 19 Taiwanese academic institutions, coordinated by the Foundation for International Cooperation in Higher Education of Taiwan (FICHET). The primary aim of their participation was to forge stronger academic partnerships with European institutions and enhance global cooperation in higher education.

Professor Tsai-Yen Li, the president of FICHET, emphasized the importance of this conference as a vital platform where Taiwanese universities can interact with European counterparts on crucial issues such as student exchange programs, collaborative research endeavors, and the establishment of academic alliances. Furthermore, the event was bolstered by the presence of Dr. Klement Ruey-sheng GU, a representative from the Taipei Mission in Sweden, along with key figures like Robin Lu from the Education Division and secretary Jack Huang, all there to support the expansion of educational networks between Taiwan and Europe.

In the past five years, Taiwan has welcomed over 27,000 European students, with more than 80% coming from EU member states. Parallelly, over 50,000 Taiwanese students have pursued studies in Europe during this timeframe, indicating consistent growth in educational exchanges between the two regions. President Li noted that the relationship between Taiwan and the European Union is marked by close cooperation not just in education but also in trade and cultural spheres, underlining education as a central element of their bilateral ties.

Since 2006, the Taiwanese Ministry of Education has been offering scholarships of up to $16,000 (approximately €13,700) annually to Taiwanese students who are on the reserve list for the Joint Master’s Erasmus+ Mundus Program but do not secure EU scholarships, aiding 131 students to date. Beginning in 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs initiated the Taiwan-Europe Short-Term Semiconductor Training Program, bringing 348 European students and professionals to Taiwan for brief internships, further enhancing educational interactions.

To foster networking and interaction, FICHET organized the