The UOG delegation — led by CNAS Dean Lee S. Yudin and including Assistant Professor of Agricultural Economics Kuan-Ju Chen and Assistant Professor of Animal Sciences Jeng-Hung Liu — met with National Taiwan Normal University's College of Science, National Chung Hsing University's College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, and National Pingtung University of Science & Technology's College of Agriculture. These universities hold cooperative agreements with UOG overall, and their agriculture colleges signed cooperative agreements with UOG CNAS last year.

“The visit to Taiwan was an important opportunity for us to strengthen our existing ties and establish new collaborations with our sister colleges,” Yudin said. “We are delighted to have had the opportunity to meet with government and business sectors in Taiwan and explore opportunities for partnership and collaboration.”

Study abroad dates: July 3-16, 2023 Applications due: 5 p.m. on April 10, 2023 Apply Here

New study abroad opportunity

One development was the establishment of the Smart Agriculture Technology & Culture Experience Study Abroad Program. The program is an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate UOG students to learn about the latest technology and practices in sustainable agriculture at the three sister universities. The program is accepting applications until April 10 and will take place this July.

International conference on agricultural sustainability

Another outcome of the delegation’s visit was an opportunity for UOG CNAS to join the NCHU College of Agriculture & Natural Resources in organizing the International Conference on Sustainability Culture, which will take place this November in Taiwan and be livestreamed in Guam.

With its theme of “New Climate Ethics: Cultivating the Capacity to Care for Our Environment and Our Fellow Human Beings,” the conference seeks to explore the issues that hinder the achievement of the Great (AgroEcological) Transition, or the transformation of agriculture into a more resilient and sustainable system, and what cultural change is needed.

The delegation also formed new partnerships during the trip with nonprofit and business sectors in Taiwan, including the National 4-H Club Association, R.O.C. (4-H Club), and the Lion Group.

“The visit to Taiwan is part of our ongoing efforts to promote academic exchange and collaboration in the Asia Pacific region,” said Chen, who, in addition to his faculty role at UOG, serves as the senior liaison of the Asia Pacific Universities Consortium. “We believe that by working together, we can create a more connected and prosperous future for our students and our communities.”

For more information on the Guam-Taiwan projects mentioned, please email Dr. Kuan-Ju Chen at chenkj@triton.uog.edu.