To strengthen collaboration in international youth education and Mandarin learning resources, the National Palace Museum (NPM) and the Foundation for International Cooperation in Higher Education of Taiwan (hereinafter “FICHET”) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today (September 2). This marks the first time that the NPM has signed an MOU with a professional education foundation. The ceremony was witnessed by NPM Director Shyue-Chung Hwang, Director-General of the Department of International and Cross-strait Education of the Ministry of Education Yu-Chuan Li, and FICHET Chairman Tsai-Yen Lee, along with students from the Czech Republic, Europe, the United States, Russia, and Vietnam, who joined in celebrating this milestone in cultural and educational cooperation during the NPM’s centennial year.

The MOU signifies a joint effort to transform the NPM into a key venue for international youth to learn Mandarin and experience culture in Taiwan. By leveraging the museum’s rich collections and cultural assets, the partnership aims to provide high-quality educational resources that showcase Taiwan’s cultural and educational appeal. Current projects already underway include the production of MOOCs featuring the NPM’s collections, allowing learners worldwide to gain deeper insights into Chinese culture, as well as the licensing of the museum’s iconic Jadeite Cabbage and Meat-shaped Stone for cultural merchandise, enabling international youth to take a piece of the NPM’s cultural experience home.

In his remarks, Director Hwang emphasized that the NPM is Taiwan’s most representative museum and a major cultural attraction, with nearly 700,000 artifacts and diverse exhibitions. In today’s global village, the NPM seeks to promote goodwill through art and culture. By signing the MOU with FICHET under the witness of the Ministry of Education, the museum hopes to connect with international youth through education, making the NPM their first gateway to Taiwan, while transforming its collections into a new base for international youth culture and Mandarin learning.

Since its establishment, FICHET has integrated resources from public and private universities across Taiwan to enhance the global visibility and impact of Taiwanese higher education. It has promoted international recruitment, cross-border academic exchange, and cultural education outreach. Over the past three years, the number of international students in Taiwan has shown strong growth momentum. Despite a decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, the numbers began to recover steadily in the 2022 academic year, with an annual growth rate of 3.5%. In 2023, the growth exceeded 11%, demonstrating Taiwan’s continued competitiveness in attracting international students. According to statistics, around 36,000 students enrolled in university-affiliated Mandarin centers in 2023, along with 4,185 short-term international exchange students—an emerging group with great potential for development.

Chairman Lee of FICHET stated that this partnership is an important example of cross-sector integration between culture and education. In the future, FICHET will continue to expand cooperation, develop innovative programs that combine learning with hands-on experience, and leverage digital teaching, cultural immersion, and interactive learning to further enhance Taiwan’s cultural and educational influence worldwide.

Director-General Li of the Ministry of Education emphasized that this collaboration represents a new milestone in integrating Taiwan’s cultural assets with international education. The Ministry has long promoted initiatives such as the “Study in Taiwan Mandarin Program” and international youth action projects. Li noted that language learning should be deeply connected with cultural experiences, and the NPM provides the best cultural setting. Through future projects, international students will not only strengthen their Mandarin skills but also experience the unique richness of Chinese culture, reinforcing Taiwan’s role as a top global destination for Mandarin learning.

The signing of this MOU represents a new and creative model of cooperation in international education and cultural promotion. It also echoes the enduring spirit of the NPM’s centennial in 2025, opening a new chapter for the museum and Taiwan’s global engagement in culture and education.