SDG11
NCKU and University of Warsaw engage in bilateral exchange on bilingual Sinology and Chinese language teaching
Dr. Małgorzata Religa, former Chair of the Sinology Department at the University of Warsaw, was invited by Professor Shin-Mei Kao, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU). Supported by the Japan Eurasia Foundation, the Ministry of Education’s Excellence in Chinese Language Education Program, and the Tainan Highest Good Education Foundation, Dr. Religa conducted a one-week academic lecture series starting May 26 at NCKU’s Department of Chinese Language and Literature, Foreign Language Center, and Chinese Language Center. During her visit, she engaged in reciprocal academic exchanges with faculty and students from the Departments of Chinese, Foreign Languages, Taiwanese Literature, and the Institute of Art Studies.
Dr. Małgorzata Religa holds a Ph.D. from the Sinology Department at the University of Warsaw. She has studied extensively in China, including at Nankai University in Tianjin, Beijing Normal University, and through field studies in Sichuan, developing excellent proficiency in Chinese. Her academic expertise covers Taoism, the White Lotus Sect, pre-Qin philosophers, Chinese philosophy, and contemporary Chinese literature. She has translated works such as Mencius, Hsien-Yung Pai’s Crystal Boys, and selected novels by authors Yu Hua and Mo Yan. Currently, she is working on a translation of Xunzi and plans to translate You-Wei Kang’s Datongshu in the future.
During her term as Chair of the Department of Sinology at the University of Warsaw, Professor Małgorzata Religa actively promoted the teaching of Chinese language and Sinology. She played a key role in establishing collaboration between the department and NCKU’s Chinese Language Center through the Ministry of Education’s “Excellent Chinese Language Program.” In 2024, the two universities signed a university-level academic cooperation MOU. This year, 14 Sinology students from the University of Warsaw will come to NCKU’s Chinese Language Center with scholarship support to study Chinese and immerse themselves in Taiwanese life and Tainan’s local culture.
Professor Małgorzata Religa stepped down from her administrative role as Chair of the Department of Sinology at the University of Warsaw in March 2025. Shortly thereafter, she accepted an invitation to deliver a series of lectures and engage in academic exchanges at NCKU. Her talk in the Department of Chinese Literature, titled "The Development of Sinology in Poland," was delivered entirely in English. She traced the evolution of Polish Sinology from the 16th century—beginning with missionary efforts—through to the contributions of modern Sinologists at various Polish universities. She also introduced current research and teaching directions in Polish Sinology. Undergraduate students in attendance actively participated by posing questions in English.
At NCKU’s Foreign Language Center, Professor Małgorzata Religa delivered a lecture titled "The Current Status and Development of Sinology Education in Poland." In her talk, she outlined the curriculum structures and academic training approaches of five major universities in Poland with Sinology departments. She also provided detailed and practical suggestions for the English-taught Sinology faculty development program led by Director Wen-Li Tsou. Furthermore, Professor Religa analyzed the current practices and feasibility of teaching various Sinology courses in English across European universities, offering fresh perspectives for NCKU’s ongoing initiatives in developing English-taught Sinology materials and faculty training. At the Chinese Language Center, Professor Religa gave a lecture titled "Curriculum Design and Pedagogical Practice in Sinology: The Case of the University of Warsaw." Drawing from her experience as a non-native Chinese speaker teaching Chinese language courses at the University of Warsaw, she shared practical insights that proved valuable for NCKU’s Chinese language instructors. Additionally, she presented a talk for the Department of Chinese Literature titled "An Overview of Modern Chinese Literature Studies in Poland." Professor Religa, who translated Hsien-Yung Pai’s Crystal Boys into Polish and once invited Taiwanese author Ang Li to visit Poland, has made significant contributions to the translation and promotion of modern Taiwanese literature. Her candid sharing provided students at NCKU with a deeper understanding of Taiwanese literature’s reception in the Polish academic and literary world.
One of Professor Małgorzata Religa’s academic interests lies in Chinese religions. In addition to her lectures, the College of Liberal Arts at NCKU arranged academic visits to several renowned religious sites, including Fo Guang Shan, Nankunshen Daitian Temple, Biyun Temple in Guanziling, and the Tainan Official God of War Temple and Official Mazu Temple. These visits not only enriched Professor Religa’s understanding of Taiwan’s religious culture but also helped expand the scope and diversity of future academic collaborations between the two universities.
Dr. Małgorzata Religa holds a Ph.D. from the Sinology Department at the University of Warsaw. She has studied extensively in China, including at Nankai University in Tianjin, Beijing Normal University, and through field studies in Sichuan, developing excellent proficiency in Chinese. Her academic expertise covers Taoism, the White Lotus Sect, pre-Qin philosophers, Chinese philosophy, and contemporary Chinese literature. She has translated works such as Mencius, Hsien-Yung Pai’s Crystal Boys, and selected novels by authors Yu Hua and Mo Yan. Currently, she is working on a translation of Xunzi and plans to translate You-Wei Kang’s Datongshu in the future.
During her term as Chair of the Department of Sinology at the University of Warsaw, Professor Małgorzata Religa actively promoted the teaching of Chinese language and Sinology. She played a key role in establishing collaboration between the department and NCKU’s Chinese Language Center through the Ministry of Education’s “Excellent Chinese Language Program.” In 2024, the two universities signed a university-level academic cooperation MOU. This year, 14 Sinology students from the University of Warsaw will come to NCKU’s Chinese Language Center with scholarship support to study Chinese and immerse themselves in Taiwanese life and Tainan’s local culture.
Professor Małgorzata Religa stepped down from her administrative role as Chair of the Department of Sinology at the University of Warsaw in March 2025. Shortly thereafter, she accepted an invitation to deliver a series of lectures and engage in academic exchanges at NCKU. Her talk in the Department of Chinese Literature, titled "The Development of Sinology in Poland," was delivered entirely in English. She traced the evolution of Polish Sinology from the 16th century—beginning with missionary efforts—through to the contributions of modern Sinologists at various Polish universities. She also introduced current research and teaching directions in Polish Sinology. Undergraduate students in attendance actively participated by posing questions in English.
At NCKU’s Foreign Language Center, Professor Małgorzata Religa delivered a lecture titled "The Current Status and Development of Sinology Education in Poland." In her talk, she outlined the curriculum structures and academic training approaches of five major universities in Poland with Sinology departments. She also provided detailed and practical suggestions for the English-taught Sinology faculty development program led by Director Wen-Li Tsou. Furthermore, Professor Religa analyzed the current practices and feasibility of teaching various Sinology courses in English across European universities, offering fresh perspectives for NCKU’s ongoing initiatives in developing English-taught Sinology materials and faculty training. At the Chinese Language Center, Professor Religa gave a lecture titled "Curriculum Design and Pedagogical Practice in Sinology: The Case of the University of Warsaw." Drawing from her experience as a non-native Chinese speaker teaching Chinese language courses at the University of Warsaw, she shared practical insights that proved valuable for NCKU’s Chinese language instructors. Additionally, she presented a talk for the Department of Chinese Literature titled "An Overview of Modern Chinese Literature Studies in Poland." Professor Religa, who translated Hsien-Yung Pai’s Crystal Boys into Polish and once invited Taiwanese author Ang Li to visit Poland, has made significant contributions to the translation and promotion of modern Taiwanese literature. Her candid sharing provided students at NCKU with a deeper understanding of Taiwanese literature’s reception in the Polish academic and literary world.
One of Professor Małgorzata Religa’s academic interests lies in Chinese religions. In addition to her lectures, the College of Liberal Arts at NCKU arranged academic visits to several renowned religious sites, including Fo Guang Shan, Nankunshen Daitian Temple, Biyun Temple in Guanziling, and the Tainan Official God of War Temple and Official Mazu Temple. These visits not only enriched Professor Religa’s understanding of Taiwan’s religious culture but also helped expand the scope and diversity of future academic collaborations between the two universities.
Dr. Małgorzata Religa, former Chair of the Department of Sinology at the University of Warsaw, Poland, was invited by the College of Liberal Arts at NCKU to give a week-long academic lecture series starting May 26. She also engaged in scholarly exchanges on teaching Chinese studies in English with domestic and international scholars.
From left to right in the photo:
Assistant Professor Fay Chen, Foreign Language Center, NCKU
Postdoctoral Researcher Dr. Fei Yang, University of Trier, Germany
Special Assistant Pei-Che Chang, Tainan Highest Good Education Foundation
Director Wen-Li Tsou, Foreign Language Center, NCKU
Professor Małgorzata Religa, University of Warsaw, Poland
Dean Shin-Mei Kao, College of Liberal Arts, NCKU
Professor Lina Fang, National Kaohsiung Normal University
Professor Chang-Mo Hsu, NCKU
Associate Dean Chia-Huang Chen, College of Liberal Arts, NCKU
One of Professor Małgorzata Religa’s academic interests is Chinese religions. During her visit, she also conducted academic field studies at prominent religious sites such as Fo Guang Shan Buddha Memorial Center in Kaohsiung.
