Lindenwood University and the National Taiwan University of Arts have formed an academic exchange agreement to promote and strengthen fine and performing arts and study abroad opportunities for students at both institutions.

The Center for Engaged Learning spearheaded the exchange agreement, and longtime Lindenwood donor Dr. Charles Tsai helped support it through generous financial contributions.

Lindenwood and the NTUA have a relationship dating back to 1989. In the following years, NTUA faculty have either had training or received degrees from Lindenwood.

This partnership allows for opportunities for NTUA students to get involved with Lindenwood’s College of Arts and Humanities, starting with its Department of Music. Such opportunities include a potential wind ensemble performance, as well as performing at a home football game with Lindenwood’s marching band under the direction of Dr. Sebastian Buhts. Lindenwood’s music department also looks forward to master’s classes for woodwinds and future exchanges with the NTUA.

This partnership also solidifies Lindenwood’s commitment to thrive together through collaboration with NTUA students and faculty.

“Continuing the relationship diversifies the study abroad offerings for our students,” Lindenwood Associate Provost for Engaged Learning and Academic Affairs Dr. Mark Valenzuela said. “Most students want to study in Europe, typically England, Italy, Germany, or Spain. A few adventurous students will go to Central or South America, and in smaller numbers we do get students studying in Japan, South Korea, and Thailand. But largely, Asia remains unexplored by our students.”

This exchange relationship with NTUA also enables all students in the fine and performing arts to study at an institution that has produced distinguished alumni in the field of the arts, including film director Ang Lee, who has won three Oscars (Best Foreign Language Film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”; Best Director “Brokeback Mountain”; and Best Director “Life of Pi”).  

Moreover, this agreement will allow students from both institutions to learn about different cultures through the arts.

The NTUA plans to send students and faculty to Lindenwood for collaboration in the fine arts. Additionally, visiting faculty will have opportunities to experience new cultures which can help inform their craft and pedagogy.