May 6, 2020

Academic Collaborations Allow for Cultural Exchange

The establishment of a joint M.D.-M.S. Academic Collaboration Program between Georgetown University and Fu Jen Catholic University is a unique opportunity for academic and cultural exchange. In early spring, Georgetown Professor Der-Chen Chang traveled to Taipei, Taiwan to work with colleagues at Fu Jen Catholic University towards developing this partnership.

Georgetown Professor Der-Chen Chang at the signing of the joint M.D.-M.S. collaboration with Fu Jen Catholic University
Georgetown Professor Der-Chen Chang at the signing of the joint M.D.-M.S. collaboration with Fu Jen Catholic University

The program offers medical students pursuing a master’s degree from Fu Jen Catholic University an opportunity to study abroad at Georgetown, allowing for increasingly diverse representation within Georgetown’s international student body. Students take a total of 30 credits, spanning over 11 subjects on topics from big data to administrative and alternative medicine.

Chang worked alongside Dean Ping-Keung Yip and Associate Dean Yu-Wen Lin of the College of Medicine and Chairman Dee Pei from the School of Medicine at Fu Jen Catholic University to establish this partnership. Chang also negotiated another collaboration with Fu Jen Catholic University on an accelerated degree program in mathematics and computer science.

Chang with Dean Ping-Keung Yip and Associate Dean Yu-Wen Lin, and Chairman Dee Pei from the School of Medicine.
Chang with Dean Ping-Keung Yip and Associate Dean Yu-Wen Lin, and Chairman Dee Pei from the School of Medicine.

In addition to his work with Fu Jen Catholic University, Chang plays a vital role in developing educational collaborations and creating joint programs between Georgetown and other international universities. These collaborations, largely centered around mathematics, computer science and data analytics, include an accelerated degree program in mathematics and statistics with National Chengchi University in Taiwan, as well as an accelerated degree program in mathematics, biostatistics and data analytics with the City University of Hong Kong. Not only do these collaborations allow for meaningful academic exchange, but they also enhance cultural diversity and add value to Georgetown’s student body by bringing students from all around the world onto the Hilltop.