University of South Carolina and NTNU Sign Agreement for Dual Degree Programs
More than fifty thousand less students are expected to enroll in universities in Taiwan in 2016. In response, NTNU signed an agreement with the University of South Carolina on September 17th to establish joint masters programs in international business and restaurant and hotel management. The programs will recruit students from Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia and Taiwan. Courses will be taught in English by professors from both universities. Courses and internships will be offered both in Taiwan and the USA. Students will be able to obtain a masters degree from a Taiwanese and American university.
The University of South Carolina and NTNU became sister schools in 2008. Since 2013, masters and PhD students in sports and recreation from both schools have been able to participate in exchange programs. This year, the joint cooperation between the two universities is taking a major step forward. University of South Carolina President Harris Pastides led a group of eight visiting NTNU in Taiwan on September 17th. The group was received by NTNU President Kuo-en Chang. In addition to signing an agreement to establish exchange programs for both graduate and undergraduate students, the two sides also signed an agreement to promote international cooperation.
President Chang stated that, 'Higher education must go down the path of internationalization. In the global village era, if the job market is limited to Taiwan, prospects will be too narrow.' Chang also explained that an alliance between the two universities will make both schools more competitive. By building an international network together, NTNU and the University of South Carolina will be able to recruit students from all over Asia.
With the alliance, NTNU will be able to adopt the high quality international business education offered at the University of South Carolina. What is more, taking advantage of Taiwan's strategic location in Asia and its strength in the field of Mandarin training, NTNU attracts students from neighboring countries and thus will surge forward in its internationalization efforts and cultivate students with ever-broadening global perspectives.
The joint masters programs will recruit spring and fall classes. Each class will include thirty students. These programs will primarily draw students from Southeast and Northeast Asia, though a certain number of Taiwanese students will also be accepted in the programs. Applicants will be selected based on documentary review, TOEFL scores, GMAT scores, university grades, letters of recommendation and other criteria. In addition to classes given by NTNU professors, foreign professors from the University of South Carolina will come to Taiwan to teach. All courses will be taught in English. It will take a minimum of one and a half years for students to earn masters degrees. Tuition and fees will be charged based on a compromise between the costs of the two universities.