A formal signing of the Memorandum of Understanding took place between President Chris Roberts and Dr. Shu-Fang Wu, president of the National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences (NTUNHS). The MoU will provide a pathway for qualified nursing students to study and earn degrees in both countries. AUCON was represented by Dean Gregg Newschwander, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. Caralise Hunt, and Associate Dean for Research Dr. Pao-Feng Tsai. Dr. Andrew Gillespie, AU assistant provost for international programs and Dr. Lina Lin, director of international & cross-strait educational office, NTUNHS, were also present at the ceremony.
During their visit to the campus, Drs. Wu and Lin met with Dean Newschwander and several faculty members including Caralise Hunt, Pao-Feng Tsai, Barbara Wilder (graduate programs director), Eleanor Howell (doctoral programs coordinator), Rachael Sweeney (NP program coordinator), Kelley Noll (nurse educator program coordinator), Lynn Brown (RN to BSN program coordinator) and Meghan Jones (simulation center director).
“We are considering offering joint/dual degrees, study abroad, faculty and professional training, and research,” said Hunt, explaining the several avenues to collaborate at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
“The details of the program will be worked out soon, but potentially may start with the doctoral program next fall,” said Tsai. “Faculty and students can learn from this educational experience,” she said. “Faculty can tailor their teaching to meet students with diverse cultural background. Students can be better prepared to interact with students and visiting faculty from other cultures and learn to provide better care to patients from diverse cultures. Potential research collaboration will enable exchange ideas among faculty members and may generate new ideas for research programs.”
NTUNHS operates several colleges. The College of Nursing offers bachelors, masters and doctoral programs in nursing, midwifery and health care for women, gerontology, allied health education and e-learning, masters and doctoral programs in international nursing, and master’s in international midwifery.
Established in 1954 as Taiwan Provincial Junior College of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences (NTUNHS) has undergone various transformations in its history. In 2010, the school was formally renamed National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences. It operates several colleges offering nursing and health sciences in Taiwan. Specializations include nursing, health technology and human development. The University collaborates with 160 institutions in Taiwan and more than 200 universities worldwide including Australia, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, China, South Korea, Mongolia, Paraguay, Ireland, Thailand, UK (dual degrees offered), USA (dual degrees offered), Vietnam, Bahrain and Burkina Faso in Africa. The nursing degree and education is accredited by Nursing Board for RN license in Singapore, Hong King and RN exam in USA.
