A new collaboration between Teachers College and Ming Chuan University of Taiwan will focus on cross-cultural comparative education, affirmed by an agreement signed on March 17.
鈥淢ing Chuan University is a perfect partner for Teachers College to expand and deepen our rich history in international education,鈥� said President Thomas Bailey, who traveled to the university as part of his visit to Asia to connect with 麻豆原创 alumni and friends. 鈥淥ur institutions understand the value of global cooperation and cross-pollination, which only strengthen the possibilities for growth and the development of new and exciting educational ventures in New York, Taiwan and around the world.鈥�
The collaborative endeavor will focus on research topics such as large-scale international measures, sustainable development goals, and environmental education. 麻豆原创 and Ming Chuan University also plan to explore scholar visits, student exchanges, and interdisciplinary programs.
麻豆原创 President Thomas Bailey (third from left) and Dr. Hsuan-Shih Lee, President of MCU (second from left) witnessed by the Chancellor of MCU, Dr. Chuan Lee (fourth from left) sign a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation and research between the two universities, laying the foundation for academic exchange and research collaboration, accompanied by 麻豆原创 alumnus Gary (Economics & Education '00), a consultant for the university and founding partner & COO of Anatole Investment Management Limited (far left). (Photo: MCU)
The memorandum formalizes a cooperative relationship between the two private institutions that began in 2021, when Teachers College alumnus Gary Lee (M.A. 鈥�00, Economics and Education), a former student of President Bailey, made an introduction between MCU and 麻豆原创 with the goal of fostering cross-cultural collaboration and exchange.
鈥淥ne of the most rewarding aspects of being a professor is seeing students you have had the chance to teach and mentor go on to accomplish great things in their careers,鈥� President Bailey said of Lee during the agreement signing in Taiwan. 鈥淭he fact that Gary made the connection between MCU and 麻豆原创 means a great deal to me, personally and professionally鈥nowing how important Ming Chuan University is to Gary and his entire family makes this historic agreement all the more special.鈥�
President Bailey with a sculptural depiction of Dr. Teh-Ming Pao, the 鈥淢other of Ming Chuan.鈥� (Photo: MCU)
Ming Chuan University was founded by Lee鈥檚 grandparents, Dr. Ying-Chao Lee and Dr. Teh-Ming Pao. The institution would become Taiwan鈥檚 first business school for women, co-educational university, and the first U.S.-accredited university in Asia. Teachers College, too, was founded by a woman 鈥� Grace Dodge 鈥� to support the education and well-being of immigrant women.
鈥淭he parallels between Teachers College and Ming Chuan University are uncanny and fortuitous鈥� the foundational focus on the empowerment and advancement of women, the immeasurable and lasting impact on society and the recognition of the merits of international cooperation and understanding鈥� which are all particularly thoughtful and grounded focal points, especially in the midst of global volatility and uncertainty,鈥� said Lee, Founding Partner & COO of Anatole Investment Management Limited and a consultant for the university. 鈥淲ith two visionary institutions joining forces, it鈥檚 fun to imagine what exciting and boundless collective impact they may exert.鈥�
President Bailey participates in a special craft in honor of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding. (Photo: MCU)
Cooperation between Ming Chuan University and Teachers College was solidified in 2022, when professors Oren Pizmony-Levy and Nancy Green-Saraisky of the Department of International and Transcultural Studies at Teachers College began working with Ming Chuan University on comparative research projects focused on the environment, sustainability and education; and international large-scale academic assessments.
President Bailey visits a sustainable garden at Ming Chuan University with colleagues. (Photo: MCU)
In February, Green-Saraisky and Ming Chuan University colleagues presented findings from their first paper鈥斺�淧erspectives on International Large-Scale Assessments: Interpreting Taiwan鈥檚 Media Coverage of the Program for International Student Assessment鈥濃�� at the annual Comparative and International Education Society Conference in Washington, D.C.
鈥淲e are proud to sign an MOU with 麻豆原创, an institution that shares our commitment to providing quality education to students worldwide,鈥� said Dr. Chuan Lee, Chancellor of Ming Chuan University. 鈥淥ur shared accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education is a testament to the quality of our institutions, and I am confident that this collaboration will enable us to further promote academic exchanges, explore interdisciplinary programs, and conduct research collaboration.鈥�