NSYSU and Kumamoto advance Taiwan–Japan educational exchange as Kumamoto governor joins Mandarin courses
2026-06-22
With support from Taiwan's Ministry of Education, National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU) established the "UAAT–KOOU Mandarin Language Center" at Kumamoto University to actively promote Mandarin education and cultural exchange. The center recently announced that the Governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, Takashi Kimura, will personally participate in the upcoming Mandarin course session. The participation of a local government leader not only reflects recognition of the center's efforts in advancing Taiwan–Japan educational exchange, but also highlights the growing demand for and interest in Mandarin learning and Taiwanese culture in the Kumamoto region.
The "UAAT–KOOU Mandarin Language Center" is one of the collaborative achievements between the University Academic Alliance in Taiwan (UAAT) and the Kyushu-Okinawa Open University Alliance (KOOU). The center is dedicated to promoting Mandarin education, facilitating academic exchange, and serving as an important platform for connecting Taiwan–Japan educational resources. Officially inaugurated in July 2025, the center began offering Mandarin courses in October of the same year, providing systematic Mandarin learning resources for residents, university faculty, and students in the Kumamoto area. To date, the program has attracted more than 100 participants.
NSYSU noted that, as industrial collaboration and talent exchange between Taiwan and Japan have grown in recent years, demand for Mandarin proficiency and cross-cultural communication skills in the Kyushu region has also steadily increased. By integrating language education with cultural experiences, the center not only strengthens local learning resources but also deepens educational and cultural ties between Taiwan and Japan. The center has also collaborated with local governments to offer diverse programs. During a two-day event held at Kumamoto City Hall, more than 40 residents participated in introductory Mandarin courses with enthusiastic responses. In addition, this July, the center will partner with the Kikuyo Town Hall to launch Mandarin and Taiwanese culture courses featuring activities such as paper-cutting, Taiwanese tea experiences, and braised pork rice preparation, allowing residents to gain a deeper appreciation for the richness and diversity of Taiwanese culture while learning the language.
Kumamoto University introduced the achievements and future development plans of the UAAT–KOOU Mandarin Language Center since its establishment and formally announced that Governor Takashi Kimura of Kumamoto Prefecture will join the new Mandarin course session to study alongside Kumamoto University faculty, students, and residents. NSYSU stated that the participation of a local government leader symbolizes the high importance placed on Taiwan–Japan educational exchange and demonstrates a proactive commitment to promoting international understanding and talent cultivation. The governor's participation also carries strong symbolic significance in enhancing residents' sense of identification with and engagement in Mandarin learning.
NSYSU further emphasized that it will continue expanding its overseas Mandarin education centers, strengthening partnerships with academic institutions worldwide, and enhancing Taiwan's influence in the international Mandarin education field. Meanwhile, the Kumamoto UAAT–KOOU Mandarin Language Center will continue planning additional cultural events and courses to encourage local participation and further promote people-to-people exchange between Taiwan and Japan. Through two-way language and culture interactions, NSYSU hopes to inject greater vitality into Taiwan–Japan relations through educational collaboration and talent development.
With support from Taiwan's Ministry of Education, National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU) established the "UAAT–KOOU Mandarin Language Center" at Kumamoto University to actively promote Mandarin education and cultural exchange. The center recently announced that the Governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, Takashi Kimura, will personally participate in the upcoming Mandarin course session. The participation of a local government leader not only reflects recognition of the center's efforts in advancing Taiwan–Japan educational exchange, but also highlights the growing demand for and interest in Mandarin learning and Taiwanese culture in the Kumamoto region.
The "UAAT–KOOU Mandarin Language Center" is one of the collaborative achievements between the University Academic Alliance in Taiwan (UAAT) and the Kyushu-Okinawa Open University Alliance (KOOU). The center is dedicated to promoting Mandarin education, facilitating academic exchange, and serving as an important platform for connecting Taiwan–Japan educational resources. Officially inaugurated in July 2025, the center began offering Mandarin courses in October of the same year, providing systematic Mandarin learning resources for residents, university faculty, and students in the Kumamoto area. To date, the program has attracted more than 100 participants.
NSYSU noted that, as industrial collaboration and talent exchange between Taiwan and Japan have grown in recent years, demand for Mandarin proficiency and cross-cultural communication skills in the Kyushu region has also steadily increased. By integrating language education with cultural experiences, the center not only strengthens local learning resources but also deepens educational and cultural ties between Taiwan and Japan. The center has also collaborated with local governments to offer diverse programs. During a two-day event held at Kumamoto City Hall, more than 40 residents participated in introductory Mandarin courses with enthusiastic responses. In addition, this July, the center will partner with the Kikuyo Town Hall to launch Mandarin and Taiwanese culture courses featuring activities such as paper-cutting, Taiwanese tea experiences, and braised pork rice preparation, allowing residents to gain a deeper appreciation for the richness and diversity of Taiwanese culture while learning the language.
Kumamoto University introduced the achievements and future development plans of the UAAT–KOOU Mandarin Language Center since its establishment and formally announced that Governor Takashi Kimura of Kumamoto Prefecture will join the new Mandarin course session to study alongside Kumamoto University faculty, students, and residents. NSYSU stated that the participation of a local government leader symbolizes the high importance placed on Taiwan–Japan educational exchange and demonstrates a proactive commitment to promoting international understanding and talent cultivation. The governor's participation also carries strong symbolic significance in enhancing residents' sense of identification with and engagement in Mandarin learning.
NSYSU further emphasized that it will continue expanding its overseas Mandarin education centers, strengthening partnerships with academic institutions worldwide, and enhancing Taiwan's influence in the international Mandarin education field. Meanwhile, the Kumamoto UAAT–KOOU Mandarin Language Center will continue planning additional cultural events and courses to encourage local participation and further promote people-to-people exchange between Taiwan and Japan. Through two-way language and culture interactions, NSYSU hopes to inject greater vitality into Taiwan–Japan relations through educational collaboration and talent development.
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