USCB Provost Joins AASCU Delegation to Explore Global Partnerships in Taiwan
Dr. Kim Dudas, Provost of the University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB), traveled to Taiwan as part of a delegation that explored opportunities for international collaboration in higher education.
Organized by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) at
the invitation of Taiwan’s Ministry of Education, the group visited Taiwan Aug, 30
- Sept. 5, 2026. The delegates included university presidents, chancellors, senior
administrators, deans and other higher education leaders whose work intersects with
semiconductors, engineering, research and international cooperation.
Hosted by the Foundation for International Cooperation in Higher Education of Taiwan
(FICHET), Dudas and the other delegates met with government officials, industry representatives,
and university leaders to discuss future collaborations.
The group visited six Taiwanese universities, including Minghsin University of Science
and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Asia University, National
Chung Hsing University, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, and
National Cheng Kung University. Discussions centered on creating partnerships that
support faculty and student exchanges, study abroad programs, internships, language
and cultural immersion experiences, and collaborative research initiatives.
At the universities visited, several programs aligned closely with USCB’s academic offerings. Areas of interest included business, computer science, hospitality and tourism, nursing, psychology, teacher education, marine biology, social work, and communication studies. Delegates also learned about scholarship programs and research opportunities sponsored by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education and FICHET, including internships, short-term research awards, and cultural immersion experiences designed to strengthen international academic connections.
The delegation attended the “Freedom 250 Workforce First Summit” in Taipei, a gathering of approximately 150 government, industry, and academic leaders from the United States and Taiwan. Co-hosted by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Industrial Development Administration under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the summit focused on strengthening workforce development and aligning educational pathways with critical technology industries.
Delegates also attended SEMICON Taiwan 2026, Asia’s premier annual trade exhibition and conference for the semiconductor and microelectronics manufacturing industry. The event offered a firsthand look at emerging technologies and workforce needs shaping one of the world’s most important industries.
Taiwan is a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing, producing approximately 80 percent of the world’s semiconductors. The AASCU delegation focused on understanding the connection between higher education and the semiconductor industry, including how Taiwanese universities prepare students for careers in this critical sector.
In addition to academic and industry information sessions, the group participated in cultural activities that highlighted Taiwan’s history and traditions. They visited Kuo Yuan Ye, a century-old Taiwanese pastry company, where participants learned to make pineapple cakes, a beloved Taiwanese treat. They also toured the Taoyuan Tudigong Culture Museum to learn about Taiwanese beliefs and cultural heritage.
Reflecting on the experience, Dudas emphasized the hospitality she encountered and the potential for future collaboration.
“Everyone was very friendly, gracious, and generous hosts. The universities we visited were interested in developing partnerships with American universities. I look forward to developing those partnerships and presenting new and unique opportunities for our faculty, staff, and students to connect globally,” she said.
- USCB -
CW 08/31/2026