SDG17
A Decade of Partnership Renewed: TCUS and Germany's TU9 Sign MOU Extension
Academician Fan-Sen Wang, President of TCUS, noted that the cross-border system collaboration mechanism between TCUS and TU9 was initially established in 2016 under the vision of Academician Ching-Wu Chu. The 2026 MOU renewal not only continues their long-standing partnership but also signifies a new phase in Taiwan-Germany higher education cooperation. Moving forward, both parties will leverage this shared platform to deepen academic exchanges and joint research, expanding substantive collaboration opportunities to elevate educational synergy.
According to statistics from the Department of International and Cross-Strait Education, Ministry of Education, the number of Taiwanese students studying in Germany grew from 1,433 in 2016 to 2,980 in the latest 2026 data, more than doubling over the decade. Data from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) also shows that German students studying in Taiwan increased from approximately 1,119 in 2016 to 1,421 in the 2023/24 academic year.
The MOU renewal was completed via a two-stage exchange process. On July 16, 2026, a signing ceremony was held in Germany, witnessed by Ambassador Kuan-Chung Ku of the Taipei Representative Office in the Federal Republic of Germany. TU9 Co-Presidents Prof. Dr. Angela Ittel and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Peter Middendorf signed the MOU on behalf of TU9, while TCUS President Fan-Sen Wang led representatives from National Cheng Kung University, National Sun Yat-sen University, National Chung Hsing University, and National Chung Cheng University to witness the event online. On July 24, Academician Fan-Sen Wang completed the counter-signing in Taiwan, finalizing the MOU renewal. Special gratitude was extended to Director Weng Chin-Ying and the staff of the Education Division at the Taipei Representative Office in Germany for their coordination and arrangements.
Under the MOU, TCUS and TU9 will collaborate based on mutual benefit. Key initiatives include promoting exchanges of students, faculty, scholars, and administrative staff across member universities; encouraging joint research projects among researchers, departments, and colleges in areas of mutual interest; and sharing teaching materials, academic publications, and reference resources. Collaborations will place special emphasis on the cultural, economic, ethical, political, and societal dimensions of modern technology within a global context.
Established in 2011, TCUS comprises National Cheng Kung University, National Sun Yat-sen University, National Chung Hsing University, and National Chung Cheng University. The system integrates cross-university resources in teaching, research, and international collaboration to drive higher education innovation and enhance Taiwan’s global competitiveness.
Founded in 2006, TU9 consists of nine leading German technical universities: RWTH Aachen University, Technische Universität Berlin, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Technical University of Darmstadt, Technische Universität Dresden, Leibniz University Hannover, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Technical University of Munich, and University of Stuttgart. As key representatives of German engineering, technology, and higher education innovation, TU9 member universities enjoy high international renown and strong research capabilities across engineering, natural sciences, and technology, actively driving research innovation and talent cultivation in partnership with academia, industry, and government.
Looking ahead, TCUS and TU9 will continue integrating educational and research resources, drawing upon the academic strength of both systems to deepen Taiwan-Germany higher education ties and inject fresh momentum into global academic exchange and research innovation.
Guests Pose for a Group Photo at the MOU Signing Ceremony in Germany
TCUS President Academician Fan-Sen Wang Signs MOU on Behalf of the System
Co-Chairs of TU9 Sign MOU Witnessed by Ambassador Kuan-Chung Ku of the Taipei Representative Office in Germany
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