In early September, Tzu Chi University welcomed a delegation from Naresuan University (NU), Thailand, for a two-day exchange aimed at deepening academic collaboration. The visit, held from September 2 to 3, focused on developing joint degree programs, faculty and student exchanges, research partnerships, and clinical education observation. Both universities worked together to draft concrete agreements, with the shared goal of building a closer international partnership.
A Longstanding Partnership
The relationship between Tzu Chi University and Naresuan University began in 2014, when the two institutions became sister schools. In 2015, Naresuan University awarded an honorary doctorate in social development to Dharma Master Cheng Yen, founder of the Tzu Chi Foundation, in recognition of her compassionate leadership and the global contributions of Tzu Chi volunteers. Over the years, the universities have maintained regular exchanges, with Naresuan University actively recruiting graduates from Chiang Mai Tzu Chi School in northern Thailand.
During this recent visit, Professor Krongkarn Chootip, Dean of the Faculty of Graduate School at Naresuan University, remarked that every trip to Tzu Chi University has been memorable. She highlighted the opportunity to experience cultural classes such as tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and calligraphy, as well as learning about the university’s “Silent Mentor” program, where body donors become teachers for medical students. These experiences, she said, left a deep impression and inspired her to look forward to expanding cooperation, including raising the quality of international publications and increasing global visibility for both institutions.
Collaborative Research and Education
On September 2, faculty from both universities’ medical and nursing schools shared research achievements in medicine, public health, and nursing. The discussions explored possibilities for joint research proposals, co-authored papers, and long-term collaboration. Dr. Tsung-Ying Chen (陳宗鷹), Dean of the College of Medicine at Tzu Chi University, noted the strengths of Tzu Chi’s Silent Mentor program and its practical training environments. He expressed hope that the partnership would lead to more joint courses and deeper faculty and student exchanges.
On September 3, during a consensus-building workshop for university administrators, both sides reviewed the outcomes of the exchange and discussed future plans. These included promoting joint doctoral programs, strengthening cooperation between public health and nursing departments, expanding faculty collaboration in research and teaching, and arranging student exchanges at the graduate level. Plans were also made to sign a memorandum of understanding and organize joint academic conferences.
A Shared Commitment to Character and Practical Impact
Tzu Chi University President Ingrid Liu (劉怡均) expressed hope that increased collaboration would attract more Thai students to study at Tzu Chi University. She emphasized that both institutions value character development and are committed to translating research into practical applications. Through this partnership, she believes educational exchange between Taiwan and Thailand will be further strengthened, nurturing more outstanding talent.
President Liu also noted that Tzu Chi has a school in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, and that Naresuan University is a dream institution for many Thai students. She believes the collaboration will create more opportunities for Thai students to study in Taiwan and foster greater educational exchange.
Experiencing Tzu Chi’s Humanistic Spirit
During their visit, the Naresuan University guests were invited to draw Jing Si Aphorism (words of wisdom by Master Cheng Yen) bookmarks, a tradition at Tzu Chi University that offers a glimpse into the school’s humanistic spirit. This small gesture left a lasting impression on the visitors, highlighting the unique cultural environment that Tzu Chi University offers to its international partners.
As both universities look ahead, their commitment to collaboration promises to open new doors for students and faculty, enriching academic and cultural exchange between Taiwan and Thailand.
Written by Amy Lee (李家萓), Alice Wang (王碧霞)
Photos by Amy Lee (李家萓), Jer-Shian Lin (林哲先)
