【Text & Photos: HSU,YUAN-JU, Office of International Affairs; Edited by: Public Affairs Section】

【Translated with the assistance of ChatGPT】

【Promotion of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) series】

2025-08-11 — National University of Kaohsiung (NUK) continues to deepen its global engagement. President Chi-Jen Chen recently welcomed a delegation from the University of Mpumalanga (UMP), South Africa, to sign a Student Exchange Agreement, making UMP NUK’s first partner university in South Africa and marking a milestone in cross-continental academic collaboration.

The UMP delegation was led by Prof. Tokozile Mayekiso, UMP Vice-Chancellor and Chair of the Advisory Board for the Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator (CFERI), along with Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Moses Mbewe, Dean of the Faculty of Computing and Mathematical Sciences Prof. Ntombovuyo Wayi-Mgwebi, and Prof. Mazanai Musara from the Faculty of Development Studies. Earlier this year, NUK and UMP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on academic cooperation; the Student Exchange Agreement signed on July 31 further lays the foundation for mutual learning, cultural immersion, and expanded collaboration in student and faculty exchanges.

President Chen emphasized that UMP, the youngest national university in South Africa, brings fresh energy and innovation. He noted that this collaboration will not only open international opportunities for students but also spark creativity through cross-continental cultural exchange. He expressed his hope for a long-term partnership and warmly welcomed South African youth to experience Kaohsiung and Taiwan’s diverse Asian culture.

During the visit, NUK Vice President Hsing-Hao Wu accompanied the UMP delegation to the Kaohsiung Asia’s New Bay Area Startup Terrace, where they explored cutting-edge developments in smart technology and smart harbor initiatives. They also observed how local startups leverage city features to connect with international markets, highlighting Kaohsiung’s role as a vibrant hub of industrial innovation in southern Taiwan.

This agreement represents not only a significant advancement in NUK’s collaboration with UMP but also a crucial step in the university’s internationalization strategy. NUK will continue to expand global platforms for students and faculty through diverse forms of cooperation.

In addition, NUK’s Office of International Affairs arranged for the UMP delegation, together with participants of the “Summer School” program, to visit the Morakot Typhoon Memorial Hall at the National Science and Technology Museum. Through interactive exhibits, they learned about Taiwan’s disaster resilience, environmental sustainability, and long-term efforts in public education on climate adaptation.

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