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International Visitors
University of Manitoba Delegation Visits NTNU
On November 24, 2025, University of Manitoba (UM) President Michael Benarroch and Vice President for Research and International B. Mario Pinto visited National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) to learn more about NTNU’s teacher education programs and explore the possibility of establishing a student exchange agreement between the two institutions. The delegation was welcomed by NTNU Executive Vice President Yao-Ting Sung and Associate Vice President for International Affairs Hsiu-Mei Hsieh.
UM and NTNU have been partner institutions since December 20, 2012, when the two universities signed a university-wide Memorandum of Understanding. This visit marked an important opportunity for both sides to discuss concrete collaboration possibilities and explore how their academic strengths align.
As the largest university in the province of Manitoba, UM offers a wide range of English-language programs and is home to approximately 32,000 undergraduate and 5,000 graduate students. Similar to NTNU, UM maintains a strong reputation in teacher education; its Faculty of Education has the highest number of graduates among all of the university’s academic units.
UM’s Bachelor of Education is a two-year post-degree program that provides students with both coursework and practicum experience after they have completed an undergraduate major in their chosen field of study.
The delegation also showcased achievements from UM’s Desautels Faculty of Music. Notably, Professor Örjan Sandred has been named a scholar of the Royal Society of Canada, becoming one of four UM professors to receive this prestigious honor. His research focuses on transforming the creative process of music composition through the use of artificial intelligence.
In addition, the delegation introduced the MITACS Globalink Research Internship, which allows undergraduates from partner countries and regions, including Taiwan, to apply for a 12-week research placement at Canadian institutions. Selected students receive financial support such as airfare, a stipend, and emergency insurance.
Both universities noted that a future student-exchange agreement would offer substantial benefits. With a wide variety of English-taught courses available at each institution, exchange students would have numerous academic options. UM students studying at NTNU would also have easier access to Mandarin language courses available at the NTNU Mandarin Training Center, enriching their cultural and academic experience.
The meeting concluded on an optimistic note, marking a promising step toward deeper collaboration and more concrete partnerships between the University of Manitoba and National Taiwan Normal University.
UM and NTNU have been partner institutions since December 20, 2012, when the two universities signed a university-wide Memorandum of Understanding. This visit marked an important opportunity for both sides to discuss concrete collaboration possibilities and explore how their academic strengths align.
As the largest university in the province of Manitoba, UM offers a wide range of English-language programs and is home to approximately 32,000 undergraduate and 5,000 graduate students. Similar to NTNU, UM maintains a strong reputation in teacher education; its Faculty of Education has the highest number of graduates among all of the university’s academic units.
UM’s Bachelor of Education is a two-year post-degree program that provides students with both coursework and practicum experience after they have completed an undergraduate major in their chosen field of study.
The delegation also showcased achievements from UM’s Desautels Faculty of Music. Notably, Professor Örjan Sandred has been named a scholar of the Royal Society of Canada, becoming one of four UM professors to receive this prestigious honor. His research focuses on transforming the creative process of music composition through the use of artificial intelligence.
In addition, the delegation introduced the MITACS Globalink Research Internship, which allows undergraduates from partner countries and regions, including Taiwan, to apply for a 12-week research placement at Canadian institutions. Selected students receive financial support such as airfare, a stipend, and emergency insurance.
Both universities noted that a future student-exchange agreement would offer substantial benefits. With a wide variety of English-taught courses available at each institution, exchange students would have numerous academic options. UM students studying at NTNU would also have easier access to Mandarin language courses available at the NTNU Mandarin Training Center, enriching their cultural and academic experience.
The meeting concluded on an optimistic note, marking a promising step toward deeper collaboration and more concrete partnerships between the University of Manitoba and National Taiwan Normal University.