The University of St. Thomas (UST) kicked off the 2024 academic year with a ceremony celebrating the Taiwan and East Asian Studies Program (TEASP) and the community partners who have contributed to its success. The event, part of UST's global “Greater Things 2030” strategic vision, highlighted the significant contributions made by prominent members of Houston's Taiwanese and Taiwanese American communities.
Respecting long-standing support
UST President Dr. Richard Ludwick kicked off the evening by acknowledging the efforts of UST past Trustee Dong Wang, current Trustee Rocky Lai, and other leaders of the local Taiwanese American community. Welcoming guests alongside Dr. Ludwick were Director Yvonne Hsiao and Education Director Andrea Yang of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston. Among the notable attendees was Katherine Ho, Regional Director of the U.S. Department of State's Foreign Missions in Houston.
A highlight of the event was the recognition of Wang's more than 10 years of contributions in promoting international academic and student exchanges between UST and universities across Taiwan. In July, Wang was awarded the prestigious Taiwan Education Award and the Professional Education Medal by Taiwan's Minister of Education. At the August 15 event, Dr. Ludwick presented Wang with the UST Global Service Award and praised his efforts in building international bridges that enrich the university's cultural exchanges. Dr. Ludwick said, “Mr. Dong Wang and Mrs. Ming have generously shared their blessings with the university. Their kind efforts have strengthened our ability to meet and create dialogue with students, which is so important to UST's mission.”
New Scholarship Announcement
During his speech, Wang announced a $60,000 donation from four university benefactors to support UST's CELTO Study Abroad Scholarships. These scholarships will strengthen the university's ability to increase the number and amount of scholarships for students studying abroad at sister universities and faculty-led programs. “The donation to the CELTO Study Abroad Scholarships was a wonderful conclusion to an evening filled with fellowship and joy for the great things we can accomplish together as both a local and international community,” said Dr. Hans Stockton, vice president for International Relations and Engagement, who served as the evening's emcee.
Taiwan and East Asian Studies Program Receives Five-Year Grant to Support Taiwan Studies
The event also saw the signing of a memorandum of understanding for the second five-year Taiwan Studies Grant from the Ministry of Education of Taiwan. The previous grant, which ran from 2019 to 2024, provided essential funding for the expansion of the Taiwan and East Asian Studies Program at UST. Since 2020, under the direction of Dr. Yao-yuan Yeh, professor and dean of the Department of International Studies and Modern Languages, the program has become a leading voice in Taiwan and East Asian Studies. The program regularly conducts academic research, hosts conferences, offers courses, and organizes community events that deepen understanding of Taiwanese politics, culture, and U.S.-Taiwan relations. Notably, TEASP’s Mandarin Training for Law Enforcement for Houston Police Department officers and personnel, certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), will enter its eighth year this fall. “We are fortunate to receive another five-year Taiwan Studies Grant from the Ministry of Education of Taiwan. “We will continue to deepen knowledge and awareness of Taiwan within and outside the Houston community,” said Dr. Yeh.
Global Recognition of the Mandarin Center
Building on the success of TEASP, UST established the UST-Wenzhou University of Languages Chinese Language Center in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Funded through the Taiwan Ministry of Education's HuaYu BEST Scholarship Program, the Chinese Language Center, directed by Dr. Yeh, provides Chinese language tuition, specialized training for the Harris County Sheriff's Office, and scholarships for UST students to study at Wenzao University of Languages.
International media attention
UST attracted international media attention when Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Taiwan President Lai Ching-te met with a trade delegation in July 2024. President Lai praised the Mandarin Center as the first joint venture of its kind between Taiwan and the United States. Governor Abbott noted that Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott has earned three degrees from UST. Leveraging UST's international partnerships is a key component of the Greater Things 2030 strategic vision. Sister university agreements with institutions outside the United States provide study abroad opportunities for students, research exchanges for faculty, and further the internationalization of UST's students. At the heart of these relationships is the Church's call to engage with cultures around the world through scientific and cultural exchanges.
For more information, please contact Dr. Hans Stockton, Vice Provost for International Relations and Engagement, at [email protected].
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