National Chengchi University Master Program of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies

  Event Overview In recent years, Taiwan has signed working holiday agreements with 18 countries, including New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Canada, Germany, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Israel (currently suspended). These programs attract tens of thousands of young applicants each year. As the number of youths heading abroad for working holidays continues to rise, the 2026 Working Holiday Information Seminar is organized to provide comprehensive overseas information and to protect the rights and safety of participants. Through close interaction and experience sharing, this seminar aims to enhance youth understanding of working holiday regulations and current conditions in various countries, helping them fully prepare before departure. The seminar features: Official Briefings: Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and Taiwan-based offices of partner countries will explain visa application processes and key precautions. Alumni Sharing: Working holiday alumni will share their firsthand experiences and provide the latest overseas updates. Government Resources: Relevant government agencies will outline available support services, including employment information, traffic safety, medical services, and human trafficking prevention. Target Audience Youth who are preparing or about to go on an overseas working holiday. Youth who are interested in gathering working holiday information. Parents and members of the general public who are concerned about working holiday issues. Date & Venue Date: Friday, July 17, 13:30 - 16:45 Venue: Hall 301, NTUH International Convention Center (No. 2, Xuzhou Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City) Registration Please register online via the following link: https://forms.gle/EDvBgFYtMUJ1CCRq6 Registration is open from now until full. Admission is based on a first-come, first-served basis, with a total capacity of 220 participants. The organizer reserves the right to make final modifications to the event regulations. Other Information This event is completely free of charge (travel accident insurance included). Participants are expected to attend the entire event (Note 1). Registering for this event constitutes your consent for the Administration to add your personal information to the International Talents Database and to use and process it within the scope regulated by the Personal Data Protection Act (Note 2). Note 1: In the event of force majeure, the organizer reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or suspend the event. Note 2: To protect your personal privacy, the Administration collects, processes, and utilizes your personal data directly or indirectly within the scope and purpose of the event in accordance with the Personal Data Protection Act. This data will be applied to the Administration's International Participation and Exchange Database. When the purpose of collection ceases to exist or the time limit expires, you agree that this project may continue to retain, process, or utilize your personal data. Except where necessary for the Administration to perform its duties or business during the project execution period, or to comply with other laws and regulations, you may request the Administration to delete, stop processing, or utilize your personal data at any time during the project period. Completing the registration indicates your agreement to these terms. Note 3: For travel accident insurance purposes, minors must provide their legal guardian's information and have a parent or guardian complete and upload the consent form to the registration link. (Consent Form Template Download: https://reurl.cc/YDv6Zn)

I. This exchange program is limited to students of this university, and applicants must be enrolled during the exchange period. II. Interested applicants should submit their application documents in person or by mail to the Office of International Cooperation (hereinafter referred to as the Office of International Cooperation) before 5:00 PM on Monday, July 20, 2026. III. Please allow sufficient time for mailing. Application documents must arrive at the Office of International Cooperation before the deadline to be valid. Postmarks will not be accepted, and late submissions will not be processed. IV. The Office of International Cooperation will determine the order . The nomination eligibility will be reviewed by the National Taiwan University system, and the final decision on whether to grant admission will be made by the exchange university.  V. Due to the volatile international situation, if the exchange program is temporarily cancelled due to force majeure , and the exchange period cannot be postponed, applicants should carefully consider this before submitting their applications.  VI. The exchange program (including eligibility, schedule, application documents, and procedures) is attached. For any questions, please contact the staff at the Office of International Cooperation (extension 67465).

The Master’s Program in Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies at National Chengchi University hosted a special lecture titled “Why Kazakhstan Matters in the Modern World: Its Strategic Location and Resource-Driven Economy” on May 7, 2026, at Dao Fan Building. The keynote speaker was Mrs. Samal Kanayeva, who delivered a comprehensive overview of Kazakhstan’s role as a middle power on the international stage, covering its strategic location at the heart of Eurasia, its resource-driven economy, and its multifaceted foreign policy. The lecture began with an introduction to Kazakhstan’s background. The speaker emphasized that Kazakhstan, with a population of over 20 million and its capital in Astana, has become a pivotal state in Central Asia. With both Kazakh and Russian as official languages, Kazakhstan contributes approximately 60% of Central Asia’s GDP. As a regional leader, Kazakhstan successfully transitioned from a planned economy to a market-oriented system after the Cold War, maintaining cooperation through a policy of “multi-vector diplomacy.” Its economic lifeline lies in oil, natural gas, and the world’s largest uranium reserves, attracting significant foreign investment and driving rapid growth. However, heavy dependence on energy also poses risks, including overreliance on Russian export routes and insufficient transparency in industry governance. Diplomatically, Kazakhstan elevated its relations with China to a “permanent comprehensive strategic partnership” in 2019. China is now its largest trading partner, strengthening infrastructure and energy cooperation through the Belt and Road Initiative. Yet, concerns remain domestically about Chinese expansion and debt dependency. Relations with Russia are deeply intertwined due to history and geography, with Russia supplying 94% of Kazakhstan’s defense equipment and controlling 80% of its oil export pipelines. The war in Ukraine has further complicated Kazakhstan’s political balancing act. Meanwhile, although the U.S. reduced its focus on Central Asia after withdrawing from Afghanistan, the Russia-Ukraine war has renewed American interest in Kazakhstan, particularly through energy investment and multilateral cooperation. On trade and transportation, Kazakhstan has actively promoted the “Middle Corridor” as an alternative to Russia’s northern route. Since 2023, freight volume has grown significantly, with support expressed by the EU, the U.S., and China, underscoring the corridor’s strategic potential. Looking ahead, the speaker identified three major challenges for Kazakhstan: balancing energy development with diplomatic equilibrium and carbon reduction goals; navigating the technological divide between the U.S. and China with flexibility; and reducing economic dependence on China and transport reliance on Russia. These challenges will determine Kazakhstan’s ability to sustain its influence on the global stage. The seminar concluded with a lively Q&A session, with participants raising questions on Kazakhstan’s balancing strategies among major powers, the future of the Middle Corridor, and broader topics such as the country’s natural landscapes, cuisine, and culture. Mrs. Kanayeva enthusiastically shared insights into various aspects of her homeland, bringing the event to a memorable close that highlighted one of Central Asia’s most influential yet often overlooked nations.

Date: 2026/05/07 (Thu)  Time: April 10, 2026, 10:00 - 12:00 PM　   Location: Conference Room 250203, 1F, Research Building Speaker: Ibrahim Efe (Professor, Senior Research Fellow, University of Manchester)  

The Master’s Program in Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies at National Chengchi University hosted a special lecture titled “Redefining the Great Game in Central Asia: Narratives and Politics of Türkiye” on April 23, 2026, at Dao Fan Building. The keynote speaker was Mrs. Müge Yüce, a short-term visiting scholar at NCCU. At the beginning of the lecture, the speaker provided a historical overview, noting that Türkiye’s official narrative emphasizes Central Asia as the “sacred homeland” and the origin of Turkic peoples. This identity is constructed through both geographical memory (such as the Tianshan Mountains, the Amu Darya River, and the Orkhon inscriptions) and cultural memory (nomadic life, the symbolism of horses, and traditions of hospitality). The migration from Central Asia to Anatolia is framed as a source of legitimacy, with the Battle of Manzikert in 1071 establishing the foundation of a “new homeland.” The core of the lecture focused on redefining Türkiye’s foreign policy in Central Asia, tracing a continuous yet evolving trajectory from historical memory to contemporary strategy. Following the Cold War, Türkiye became the first country to recognize the independence of newly sovereign Central Asian states after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, viewing this as an opportunity to expand its geopolitical space. Since the 1990s, Türkiye has strengthened ties with the region through economic aid (via the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency, TİKA), cultural exchange (scholarships, joint universities), and energy cooperation (such as the BTC pipeline). In terms of neo-Eurasianism and strategic autonomy, Türkiye initially aligned closely with the West in the early 2000s. However, since 2015–2016, it has gradually shifted toward “strategic autonomy,” seeking balance among Russia, China, and the Middle East. The “Asia Anew Initiative” launched in 2019 marked Türkiye’s intent to expand economic and diplomatic cooperation with more than 30 Asian countries, with the “Middle Corridor” project at its core. Türkiye has repositioned itself from a “bridge country” to a “central state,” deepening cooperation through soft Eurasianism and multilateral mechanisms such as TURKSOY, TURKPA, and the Turkic Investment Fund. In conclusion, the speaker highlighted Türkiye’s current challenges and future outlook. Rapid energy consumption and its geographic position make Türkiye a crucial hub connecting energy suppliers such as Russia, Iran, and Azerbaijan. Yet, tensions with the U.S. and EU, along with limited economic influence compared to Russia and China, underscore Türkiye’s role as a “middle power” in Central Asia. Through educational exchange, diaspora policies, and cultural ties, Türkiye continues to engage with the region, guided by its long-term “Vision 2040.” During the Q&A session, participants raised questions on bilateral relations and refugee issues. The speaker noted that the Syrian crisis remains severe, with approximately four million Syrian refugees residing in Türkiye, some of whom continue to move toward Europe. While the EU provides financial support to help manage the situation, this arrangement has sparked domestic opposition and concerns over public security. Other questions addressed Türkiye’s regional role over the past decade, its strategic positioning of the “Middle Corridor,” and competition from countries such as India. The speaker emphasized Türkiye’s dual role in fostering regional connectivity and shaping a new order, balancing between the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and NATO. On Türkiye’s engagement with BRICS, the speaker clarified that Türkiye is unlikely to abandon NATO, as the alliance remains central to its security and foreign policy. Engagement with BRICS should be seen as an effort to diversify cooperation opportunities rather than a withdrawal from existing alliances. Additional questions touched on Türkiye’s natural gas supply and relations with African countries. The speaker explained that about 40% of Türkiye’s natural gas is imported from Russia, prompting efforts to diversify energy sources and expand green energy development, though progress remains slow. As for Africa, Türkiye’s direct involvement is limited, though military assistance has been provided in certain regions. More broadly, Türkiye prioritizes connections based on ethnic, religious, and cultural identity, such as cooperation among Turkic states and engagement with issues like Xinjiang, which in recent years has shifted toward civil diplomacy rather than official involvement. The seminar concluded with a lively Q&A session, followed by opportunities for students to engage in individual discussions with Mrs. Müge Yüce—an apt conclusion to the event.

Date: 2026/05/07 (Thu)  Time: May 7, 2026, 01:00 - 03:00 PM　   Location: Conference Room 320114, 1F, Daofan Building Speaker: Samal Kanayeva Central Asian Studies Scholar / Master’s in Global Political Economy, National Tsing Hua University Kazakhstan is the largest country in Central Asia, strategically located at the heart of Eurasia and acting as a bridge between Europe and Asia. Its vast natural resources—especially oil, gas, and uranium—make it a key player in global energy markets. At the same time, Kazakhstan pursues a multi-vector foreign policy, maintaining balanced relations with multiple major powers and positioning itself as an important actor in regional geopolitics.    

 Date: 2026/04/23 (Thu)  Time: April 23, 2026, 01:00 - 03:00 PM　   Location: Conference Room 320114, 1F, Daofan Building Speaker: Müge YÜCE Associate Professor, Department of International Relations, Atatürk University Visiting Scholar, Department of Diplomacy, National Chengchi University This seminar examines the geopolitical competition among major powers in Central Asia in the 21st century. It analyses how China, the United States, the European Union, and Russia have influenced political developments in the region, while also exploring Türkiye’s narratives and policy approaches toward Central Asia. As an emerging middle power, Türkiye shares historical, ethnic, and cultural ties with the region. The lecture will discuss how Türkiye constructs its regional discourse and manages geopolitical competition within the broader framework of great power rivalry.

Hello Everyone! Here's an incredible opportunity for an Overseas Internship and Management Associate (MA) Program! In collaboration with Lion Travel Group (the largest travel group in Taiwan with nearly 3000 employees globally) and National Taiwan Normal University, we proudly present the Hubble Project for Global Talents, your fast track to the international job market! What makes this internship the perfect opportunity for you? (Let me use 3 seconds to convince you) Guarantee One-month overseas internship with salary and free airfare and free accommodation! Fast-track career path as a MA at Lion Travel Group! Official starting salary as a MA: Bachelor's Degrees NT$43,000, Master's Degrees NT$48,000! More than just an internship—it’s a career adventure! What’s included in the program? 8 days free training camp at the headquarters of Lion Travel Group—rapidly enhance your professional skills MA Program—comprehensive career training Domestic Internship—gain insights into the operations of a leading travel brand Overseas Internship—build valuable cross-border work experience Where are our previous candidates from? 1st cohort: National Taiwan University, National Chengchi University, National Taiwan Normal University, Chinese Culture University, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, National Pingtung University, National Taipei University of Education 2nd cohort: National Taiwan University, National Chengchi University, National Taiwan Normal University, National Sun Yat-sen University, National Central University, National Taiwan University of Arts, Feng Chia University 3rd cohort: National Taiwan Normal University, National Chengchi University, National Taipei University, National Taipei University of the Arts, CTBC Business School, Fu Jen Catholic University, Chinese Culture University 4th cohort: National Taiwan University, National Taiwan Normal University, National Changhua University of Education, National Sun Yat-sen University, National Tsing Hua University, National Dong Hwa University, National Chengchi University ,National Chung Cheng University, National Cheng Kung University ,National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University ,Fu Jen Catholic University ,Soochow University ,National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism ,National Chung Hsing University ,National Taipei University of Technology ,SKEMA Business School (France) Upcoming Five Cohort Destinations: ???? Tokyo | Shanghai | Guangzhou | Bangkok | Vancouver Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gain global experience! Check out the link below and secure your spot now! Sign Up Now : https://forms.gle/xGa2JKU9uW9jEHq39 Join our LINE community : https://shorturl.at/yCIJ4 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hubble_project/ Take action today—your global career journey starts here! ???? ???? Contact Information National Taiwan Normal University - Graduate Institute of Sport, Leisure, and Hospitality Management ???? Project Manager: Yu-Hsuan Chen ☎ (02)7749-1456 ???? 0976-057-557 ???? lovehsuan09@gmail.com

Critical Agrarian Humanities: Farming for Change across East Asia and the Transpacific｜The 9th International Symposium on Literature and Environment in East Asia     Time：June 12-13, 2026 Venue：Institute of European and American Studies, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan   Call for Papers In an age marked by ecological crisis, extractive capitalism, and accelerating climate change, farming has reemerged as a critical site of inquiry into the entangled futures of the human and nonhuman world. The 9th International Symposium on Literature and Environment in East Asia seeks to rethink agrarianism as both a material practice and a conceptual framework through which we examine questions of labor, technology, planetary survival, and care.   Focusing on East Asia and the Transpacific world, we invite papers that examine how agrarian literature and culture articulate alternative ways of living with the land, resisting colonial and capitalist extraction, and building socio-ecologically just relations across species and borders. We are particularly interested in how literary and cultural narratives envision farming as a world-making practice of transformative change. By foregrounding East Asia and the Transpacific as a locus of inquiry, this symposium not only looks at agrarian imaginaries and histories in East Asia, the Transpacific, and beyond but encourages innovative comparative or interdisciplinary frameworks that approach farming as a translocal practice of cultural, ecological, and economic exchange. How might the study of East Asian and Transpacific farming traditions, aesthetics, and movements contribute to a Critical Agrarian Humanities that situates agriculture at the heart of a sustainable environmental future?   The 9th International Symposium on Literature and Environment in East Asia welcomes proposals that engage agrarian literature, art, history, ethnography, and philosophy. We also encourage transnational or transdisciplinary approaches that connect theory with practice, including collaborations between scholars, farmers, and artists, creative-scholarly projects, or reflections on community-based agricultural initiatives. Themes may include, but are not limited, to: farmers, land, and community farming, history, and story-telling farming, science, and technology farming, spirituality, and the sacred farming, stewardship, and multispecies care farming and human and nonhuman health farming and environmental disaster farming, climate change, and the Anthropocene farming, colonialism, capitalism, and extractivism farming, exploitation, and extinction farming, racism, and racial equity farming, gender, and gender equality   Plenary Speeches and Speakers   coming soon   Field Trip  coming soon   Abstract Submission Please submit an abstract of 250–300 words and a brief bio of 100 words before Feb. 10, 2026. Notification of Acceptance is Feb. 28, 2026. For submission and inquiries, please contact conference organizer and ASLE-Taiwan secretary Dr. Pei-Wen Kao via email at alsetaiwan2026@gmail.com.   Conference Website: Critical Agrarian Humanities

Opening Ceremony of “Identity, Cultural Interaction, and Integration in Turkish-Taiwanese Marriages” Photography and Video Exhibition Successfully Concluded   Organized by the College of Foreign Languages and Literature, National Chengchi University (NCCU), and as part of the subproject “Identity, Cultural Interaction, and Integration in Turkish-Taiwanese Marriages” under the main research project “Cultural Identity from a Global Perspective”, this photography and video exhibition was held from November 3 (Mon.) to November 5 (Wed.), 2025, on the first floor of the Information Building at NCCU. The event was jointly curated by the Department of Turkish Language and Culture and the M.A. Program in Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies.   The opening ceremony took place at 11:00 a.m. on November 3. The interviewed Taiwanese–Turkish families and their relatives, faculty members and students of the College, as well as members of the Taiwanese–Turkish community residing in Taiwan, all attended with great enthusiasm, celebrating the fruitful outcomes of this cross-cultural exchange.   The ceremony began with opening remarks from Professor Chao Ching-Chi, Dean of the College of Foreign Languages and Literature. She introduced the objectives and scope of the project and commended its contribution to the study of identity issues and multicultural understanding in Taiwan. This was followed by the screening of a short highlight video produced by the project team, featuring genuine interactions and touching stories from Taiwanese–Turkish families in their everyday lives.   Afterward, guests toured the exhibition area, where they appreciated photographic works and interview videos depicting various transnational families. Through these visual narratives, visitors gained a deeper understanding of the ways language, lifestyle, and culture intertwine and coexist in cross-national marriages. The exhibition also offered traditional Turkish dessert baklava, along with tea and coffee. Four Taiwanese–Turkish families attended the event in person, engaging warmly with the guests. The lively and friendly atmosphere culminated in group photos, marking a successful conclusion to the opening ceremony.   Throughout the exhibition period, a 10-minute highlight video featuring interview excerpts is continuously screened in silent mode with Chinese subtitles. Each family portrait is accompanied by a QR code, allowing visitors to watch the family’s full interview and read their stories. Watch the videos via the links below: Highlight Short Film https://youtu.be/zjIW7mpZ7PQ?si=CIvxXZ2RMCtdHNgu Interview Videos https://youtu.be/5IBVwXc18dQ?si=39FjdltjpFyXr559 https://youtu.be/L__pTwNtnz0?si=ieZFvJLCr7_NMfHK https://youtu.be/sFBz9S3Tkbo?si=aHHhfhlEB2w2z4TT https://youtu.be/NgH2_xGuXAQ?si=LOjW7UCJUqfm_tJu https://youtu.be/7KuXYcdLLwE?si=8uEPtwP7YML0gP1i https://youtu.be/0BX4yI_GS5o?si=iTGWVkd3QtoVAmb1 Exhibition Booklet (Download): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lJamT7T8tHFt0X77zCqq8hLVbJ6cbQ2L/view?usp=share_link The exhibition will remain open until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5, and is expected to attract a wide range of visitors from both inside and outside the university—inviting everyone to explore the multiple dimensions of cultural fusion and identity formation.

Event Name: Taiwan-Turkey Cross-Border Marriage: Identity, Cultural Interaction, and Integration Photography and Video Exhibition Event Dates: November 3, 2025 (Monday) to November 5, 2025 (Wednesday), daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Opening Time: November 3, 2025 (Monday) at 11:00 AM Venue: NCCU Computer Center, 1F   To showcase the exchanges and integration between different cultures in cross-border marriages, the College of Foreign Languages and Cultures at National Chengchi University presents one of its sub-projects under the comprehensive plan “Exploring Identity from a Global Perspective” — the photography and video exhibition titled "Taiwan-Turkey Cross-Border Marriage: Identity, Cultural Interaction, and Integration," co-hosted by the Department of Turkish Language and Culture and the Master's Program in Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies. The exhibition will feature imagery and interview records of Taiwanese-Turkish cross-border couples' lives. This exhibition presents family stories, language interactions, and daily life experiences within different cultural backgrounds through photographs and short films, highlighting identity and adaptation in cross-cultural marriages. Through these genuine images, viewers can gain a deeper understanding of the diverse facets and cultural exchanges of cross-border marriages in Taiwanese society. Admission is free during the exhibition, and we warmly welcome NCCU faculty, students, and the general public to visit. The opening ceremony will be held at 11:00 AM on November 3, and we cordially invite distinguished guests and enthusiasts to attend.

Congratulations to TSENG,MEI-FANG, a student of this program, for being awarded the honorary membership of theThe Phi Tau Phi Scholastic Honor Society of the Republic of China.