SIU Carbondale and Chaoyang University of Technology (CYUT) in Taiwan recently entered into an agreement to promote collaborative academic, research and student exchange possibilities, including opportunities at SIU’s School of Aviation. (Photo by Russell Bailey)
February 05, 2025
SIU Carbondale, Taiwanese university reach pact for aviation, other opportunities
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale and Chaoyang University of Technology (CYUT) in Taiwan recently entered into an agreement to promote collaborative academic, research and student exchange possibilities.
The memorandum of understanding will initially involve SIU’s School of Aviation and CYUT but could extend into other academic areas, said Robert D. Morgan, dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences. Under the agreement, academically qualified CYUT students will be able to attend paying the same tuition rates as SIU students who live in Illinois.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for both our universities,” Morgan said. “CYUT students will get an education at a first-rate university, and our campus will benefit as the Taiwanese students share their experiences and culture with us. We look forward to seeing students in the near future.”
Discussions began last year
Chien-tsung Lu, director of the SIU School of Aviation, visited the university in Taiwan in May. In November, Alex Yen-Liang Lu, chair of CYUT’s Department of Aviation Technology, visited SIU, including the College of Health and Human Sciences, the Center for International Education and the School of Aviation.
Chien-tsung Lu said the MOU includes each of SIU’s aviation offerings — aviation flight, aviation management and aviation technologies — and opens the door for both faculty and students to collaborate with CYUT.
“This is an important exercise for our faculty and students,” he said. “The purpose of the MOU is to explore more international opportunities for our faculty, students and the university.”
Chien-tsung Lu said he was “deeply impressed by CYUT’s cutting-edge educational equipment and extensive hands-on learning opportunities” provided to students in fields including aviation, business management, engineering, health care and media communication. In addition, CYUT’s “strong connections with industry partners in Taiwan create valuable internship and job opportunities for their students.”
Alex Lu said that he and Chien-tsung Lu are longtime acquaintances who share a passion for aviation. When he learned that Chien-tsung Lu was coming to SIU Carbondale as the aviation program’s director last summer, he wanted to establish a collaborative relationship in aviation education, which ultimately led to the MOU.
The MOU “is a significant collaborative opportunity for CYUT, which is highly valued by the institution” and has generated a lot of enthusiasm among students, said Alex Lu.
“Some students have already inquired about the specific plans going forward, and they are interested in studying abroad at SIU. For students in the Department of Aviation Technology, this presents a chance to learn in different environments,” Alex Lu said. “In addition to aviation-related courses, the impact of different customs and language barriers will be an important life experience for them. Personally, I believe that Eastern students often feel shy about communication; therefore, this opportunity allows them to express their views on the aviation field within an American cultural context, which serves as excellent training.”
Students could arrive within a year
CYUT students are now working on their English proficiency, Alex Lu said, and the first group of students may arrive at SIU within the next year.
“We also hope to develop more collaborative research relationships between the two universities, particularly through visiting scholars or guest professors,” he said.