2026-04-23

National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU), in partnership with SOAS University of London (SOAS), has officially launched the "Global Citizenship Joint Master Degree Programme," marking the first jointly delivered degree program between Taiwan and British higher education institutions. The program aims to integrate the teaching resources and research strengths of both institutions to explore the possibilities of social equity and global sustainability amid rapid global change, considering how to cultivate internationally competent professionals with a global citizen's perspective and cross-cultural understanding.

The inaugural cohort will be admitted in the 2026 academic year, with applications closing soon. Students will pay only 50% of the standard UK tuition while studying at a world-leading university. Through an intensive "one year, two countries" teaching model and a dual-mentor system jointly supervised by faculty from Taiwan and the UK, students will earn a prestigious jointly degree.

NSYSU President Chih-Peng Li stated that in an era of increasing globalization and complex transnational challenges, cultivating talent with global citizenship competencies has become a key mission of higher education, and this program represents a concrete response to that need. NSYSU has long been committed to international collaboration, maintaining partnerships with 338 partner universities and university alliances across 46 countries. Last year, the university signed a memorandum of understanding with SOAS University of London to collaboratively design Taiwan's first joint master degree program, setting a new benchmark for Taiwan–UK higher education cooperation. After more than a year of planning, the program's official launch marks a significant step forward in NSYSU's global engagement.

Chief Secretary Po-Chiao Lin of the Ministry of Education attended the unveiling ceremony and affirmed that this innovative collaboration demonstrates Taiwan's achievements in internationalizing higher education. It also enhances Taiwan's visibility and influence within global academic networks. He expressed hope that the partnership between NSYSU and SOAS will further strengthen Taiwan–UK relations, foster greater academic and research exchanges between higher education institutions in both countries, and open up more possibilities for future transnational collaborations.

Natasha Harrington, Director of the Political and Communications Section at the British Office Taipei emphasized that this collaboration reflects the longstanding and robust partnership between Taiwan and the UK in higher education and carries significant symbolic importance. Through jointly designed curricula, co-teaching, and collaborative research supervision, the program promotes cross-border knowledge exchange and innovation. The UK will continue to support diverse models of educational exchange and talent development with Taiwan.

Mei-Hua Chen, Dean of the College of Social Sciences, noted that the launch of the Global Citizenship Joint Master Degree Programme signifies NSYSU's ability to collaborate with globally renowned universities on an equal and reciprocal basis, moving beyond traditional higher education models that rely on the West and the Global North for development. The fully English-taught program charges a tuition fee of only GBP £13,000 (approximately TWD $550,000). It offers 6 full scholarships and 12 partial scholarships, reflecting NSYSU's educational philosophy of sharing and benefiting global higher education resources between the North and South. The curriculum is designed to cultivate professionals with a global citizenship perspective and the ability to address complex contemporary issues. In addition to recent graduates, the program also welcomes professionals from diverse fields to pursue further studies. The program held several promotional events, including information sessions at four universities in Indonesia last October, participated in an education fair in Paris this January, and another in Manila at the end of March, aiming to attract more outstanding students worldwide to join the program and seize the opportunity to experience world-class education and research resources in London.

Distinguished guests attending the unveiling ceremony included NSYSU alumnus and Chairman of HSIN BA BA Business Co., Ltd., Chung-Hui Huang; Senior Vice Presidents Chih-Wen Kuo and Bor-Ching Sheu; Chief Secretary Chingnun Lee; Vice President for International Affairs Ming-Hsuan Lee; Vice President for Academic Affairs Shu-chen Sherry Ou; Deputy Chief of Office of Sustainable Development Ching-Li Yang; and Associate Dean of the College of Social Sciences Brian C. H. Fong, all showing their support and witnessing this milestone.