The second Taiwan-India forum for university vice-chancellors, presidents and directors concluded June 22 in Warangal, Telangana State of India, strengthening higher education cooperation between the two sides with the theme of “A Better Higher Education: Internationalization, Quality Assurance and Employability”. This forum was attended by representatives of 15 Taiwanese universities and more than 60 Indian universities. In addition to the university academicians, the delegation from Taiwan also has representatives from the Ministry of Education, Foundation for International Cooperation in Higher Education of Taiwan (FICHET), and Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) in New Delhi and Chennai. The discussions spanned such topics as academic collaboration, talent employability, and sustainability and internationalization in university management.

During the event, the memorandum of understanding on enhancing Taiwan-India academic ties was inked by the Foundation for International Cooperation in Higher Education of Taiwan (FICHET) and Association of Indian Universities (AIU). Under the pact, the two sides agreed to promote mutual recognition of diplomas and facilitate exchange programs for faculty and students.

Since 2018, Indian Government has created the “Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration” (SPARC) project which aims at improving the research ecosystem of India’s higher educational institutions by facilitating academic and research collaborations between Indian institutions and the best institutions in the world from 28 selected nations. National Institute of Technology Warangal, in charge of the host university on this forum, is also the Nodal Institutions (NI) as a liaison institute to coordinate India-Taiwan SPARC project affairs.

Taiwan and India have sought to increase cooperation with each other in areas such as technology, medicine, manufacturing, agriculture, education, culture and tourism. Through this forum, it will offer international opportunities to students and faculties, and improve the industry and academic cooperation between the two countries.