UP Manila, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Hold Initial Talks on Proposed Collaborative Research Degree

May 19, 2026

Text by: Jennifer Manongdo
Photos by: Sarah Hazel Moces Pulumbarit

MILESTONE. The University of the Philippines is poised to offer a new transnational degree program in collaboration with Taiwan’s National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) following initial talks on May 15, 2026. In this photo are the proponents of the new degree program including (9th from left): Dr. Yi Fang-Chuang, director of the International Health Program and Master of Public Health of the Department of Psychiatry, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital and Chancellor Michael Tee.

The University of the Philippines Manila engaged in a fresh round of discussions with Taiwan’s National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) aiming for the creation of a transnational postgraduate degree program.

Held on May 15, 2026, the meeting served as a preliminary talk on the development of joint Master of Science programs, including a program applying the One Health approach as a specialized track.

Part of the discussions centered on clarifying the distinction between a double degree and a joint degree program as both universities are subscribed to different national guidelines.

Determining whether the initiative would be structured as a double degree or a joint degree is essential as it would influence the program design, including the curriculum, course outlines, number of units, residency requirements, graduation requirements, and even the framework for assessment.

Both universities agreed to work on the essential details and components of the postgraduate course and to convene anew at a later date.

At the meeting, NYCU was represented by Dr. Yi Fang-Chuang, director of the International Health Program and Master of Public Health of the Department of Psychiatry, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital; Dr. Hsin Chen-Jen, deputy director of the International Health Program; Dr. Dar Der-Ji, deputy director of the International Health Program; Dr. Wen-Chi Pan, director, Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences and International Ph.D. Program; Dr. Hui-Ching Lin, director and professor of the Department and Institute of Psychology; Dr. Chieh-Yu Lin, director and professor of the Institute of Community Health Care, Venies Lin, junior specialist of the International Health Program; and Christine Chin, administrative assistant of the International Ph.D. Program in Environmental Science and Technology. Jennifer Yeh, the manager of Taiwan – Philippines Education Center was also present in the meeting.

UP Manila was represented by Chancellor Michael Tee, Vice Chancellor Bernadette Heizel Reyes, Dr. Vivian Fe Fadrilan-Camacho, Dean Charlotte Chiong, Dean Fernando Garcia, Jr., Dean Ma. Teresa De Guzman, Dean Sheila Bonito, Dr. Crystal Amiel Estrada, Dr. Geraldine Dayrit, Dr. Jose Ma. Angeles, Dr. Kim Leonard Dela Luna, and Prof. Remil Galay, among others.

In May 2025, UP Manila and NYCU signed a memorandum of understanding valid for five years, that established formal cooperation for an exchange program for researchers, students, and faculty members, collaborative research projects, lectures, symposia, and conferences, joint appointment of professors and faculty members, and other pertinent academic activities. The same MOU, also stipulated an exchange of academic information and materials as well as a dual degree program.