Taiwan and Alabama Renew MOU to Deepen Education Collaboration
On November 7th, Taiwan’s Ministry of Education (MOE), the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE), and the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) renewed their memorandum of understanding (MOU), reaffirming a shared commitment to advancing higher education cooperation, K–12 Mandarin programs, and youth mobility. The virtual signing ceremony was attended by MOE Director-General Joyce Yu-Jiuan Lee, ACHE Executive Director James Purcell, ALSDE Superintendent Eric Mackey, and witnessed by Ambassador Alexander Yui of Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S. (TECRO). Director-General Lee delivered remarks highlighting the growing strength and long-term vision of Taiwan–Alabama educational collaboration.
In her remarks,she emphasized that the MOU renewal reflects not only continued cooperation but the deepening of a partnership rooted in educational excellence and global engagement. She highlighted the achievements including the Huayu BEST Program—facilitating collaboration between Auburn University and National Cheng Kung University and ALSDE’s adoption of the Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language (TOCFL) as a pathway for the Seal of Biliteracy.
Ambassador Yui emphasized that the MOU renewal is embodied the success of promoting the Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative, noting the contributions of four Taiwanese youths currently participating in the Alabama International Education and Economic Partnership Program.
Building on progress made over the past several years, Taiwan and Alabama continue to expand opportunities for academic mobility, language learning, and institutional partnerships. These initiatives are strengthening both higher education ties and K–12 Mandarin programs across the state, offering valuable benefits to students, teachers, and local communities.
Aligned with the goals of the U.S.–Taiwan Education Initiative, the renewed MOU will support broader exchanges, enhanced Mandarin teaching resources, and deeper cultural and academic engagement. The MOE looks forward to working closely with Alabama to cultivate globally minded students, promote mutual understanding, and further enrich educational cooperation in the years ahead.