(Posted June 15, 2022)

Sowang Kuo, vice president of Shih Chien University, left, and Jim Troha, president of Juniata College signed an agreement through the Taiwan Huayu BEST (Bilingual Exchanges of Selected Talent) Program.

Sowang Kuo, vice president of Shih Chien University, left, and Jim Troha, president of Juniata College signed an agreement through the Taiwan Huayu BEST (Bilingual Exchanges of Selected Talent) Program.

HUNTINGDON, Pa. — Juniata College and Shih Chien University, Taiwan (R.O.C.) entered into an agreement through the Taiwan Huayu BEST (Bilingual Exchanges of Selected Talent) Program, which encourages cooperation between universities in Taiwan and universities in the U.S. and Europe and promotes Chinese language education in the U.S. and Europe.

“We are very excited to be able to advance our relationship with Shih Chien University through the Huayu BEST Program,” said  Jim Troha, President of Juniata College. “The collaboration with Shih Chien University provides unique opportunities to help cultivate Juniata students to become global citizens, including two students this summer who will be traveling to Taiwan on a scholarship provided by the Program.”

Shih Chien University is a private university considered to be one of the top schools in the field of art and design in Taiwan and the world. Sowang Kuo, Ph.D., vice president of Shih Chien University, visited Juniata College to participate in a signing ceremony.

Juniata College and Shih Chien University will work reciprocally to enhance teaching, learning, and internationalization objectives. A visiting scholar from Shih Chien University will be hosted by Juniata annually to teach in-person Mandarin classes. Additionally, online Mandarin classes, TOCFL Chinese language proficiency tests, and online teacher training workshops will be offered to Juniata students through Shih Chien University. Juniata students will have the opportunity to join the Taiwan Huayu BEST Program and assist in English learning activities in secondary and elementary schools in Taiwan through scholarships provided by Shih Chien University.

This exchange agreement will continue Juniata’s mission of providing a personalized educational experience to empower students to lead a fulfilling life of service and ethical leadership in the global community by promoting international understanding and enhancing educational opportunities.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.