Taiwan & East Asia Studies Program Celebrates Community Support, New Grant, and Celt Study Abroad Scholarship Gifts

The University of St. Thomas (UST) kicked off the 2024 academic year with a celebration of its Taiwan & East Asia Studies Program (TEASP) and the community partners who have been instrumental in its success. The event, part of UST's global Greater Things 2030 Strategic Vision, was highlighted by significant contributions from prominent members of Houston's Taiwanese and Taiwanese-American community.

Honoring Long-Standing Support

UST President Dr. Richard Ludwick opened the evening by recognizing the efforts of former UST Board Member Don Wang, current Board Member Rocky Lai, and other leaders from the local Taiwanese-American community. Joining Dr. Ludwick in welcoming the guests were Director General Yvonne Hsiao and Education Division Director Andrea Yang of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston. Among the distinguished attendees was Katherine Ho, Regional Director of the U.S. Department of State's Office of Foreign Missions in Houston.

A highlight of the event was the recognition of Mr. Wang's more than a decade of service in promoting international academic and student exchange between UST and universities throughout Taiwan. In July, Wang was awarded the prestigious Taiwan Education Award and Medal of Professional Education by Taiwan's Minister of Education. At the August 15 event, Dr. Ludwick presented Wang with the UST Global Service Award, commending his efforts in building international bridges that enrich the university's cultural exchanges. Dr. Ludwick noted that "Don Wang and his wife Ming have generously shared their blessings with the university. Their kind efforts have strengthened UST's ability to create the encounter and dialogue for our students that is so important to our mission."

New Scholarship Gift Announcement

During his remarks, Wang announced a $60,000 gift from four university benefactors to support UST's Celt Study Abroad Scholarships. These scholarships will enhance the university's ability to increase the number and amount of scholarships for students studying abroad at any sister university or in faculty-led programs. "The gifts to the Celt Study Abroad Scholarship were an incredible conclusion to an evening replete with fellowship and joy for the great things we can accomplish together as a community that is both local and international," noted the evening's Master of Ceremonies, Dr. Hans Stockton, Associate Vice President of International Relations & Engagement.

Taiwan & East Asia Studies Program Receives 5-Year Grant to Support Taiwan Studies

The event also featured the signing of a memorandum of understanding for a second five-year Taiwan Studies Grant from Taiwan's Ministry of Education. The previous grant, which ran from 2019 to 2024, provided essential funding for the expansion of UST's Taiwan & East Asia Studies Program. Since 2020, under the direction of Dr. Yao-Yuan Yeh, Professor and Chair of the Department of International Studies & Modern Languages, the program has become a leading force in Taiwan and East Asia studies. The program regularly produces scholarly research, hosts conferences, offers courses, and organizes community events that enhance understanding of Taiwan's politics, culture, and U.S.-Taiwan relations. Notably, TEASP's Mandarin for Law Enforcement training for Houston Police Department officers and staff, certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), will enter its eighth year this fall. "We are fortunate to receive another five-year Taiwan Studies Grant from Taiwan's Ministry of Education. We will continue deepening the knowledge and awareness of Taiwan within our Houston community and beyond," Dr. Yeh said.

Mandarin Center's Global Recognition

Building on TEASP's success, UST has established the Mandarin Center of UST & Wenzao Ursuline University of Foreign Languages in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Funded by Taiwan's Ministry of Education through the HuaYu BEST Scholarship Program and directed by Dr. Yeh, the Mandarin Center offers Mandarin language classes, specialized training for the Harris County Sheriff's Office, and scholarships for UST students to study at Wenzao Ursuline University of Foreign Languages.

International Media Spotlight

UST gained international media attention during Texas Governor Greg Abbott's July 2024 trade delegation meeting with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te. President Lai praised the Mandarin Center as the first joint venture of its kind between Taiwan and the United States. Governor Abbott noted that the Texas First Lady, Cecilia Abbott, holds three degrees from UST. Leveraging UST's international partnerships is a key component of the Greater Things 2030 strategic vision. Sister university agreements with institutions outside the U.S. provide study-abroad opportunities for students, research exchanges for faculty, and further internationalize UST's student body. Central to these relationships is the Church's call to engage with cultures worldwide through scientific and cultural exchanges.

For more information, contact Dr. Hans Stockton, Associate Vice President for International Relations & Engagement, at [email protected].

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.