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National Central University (NCU) welcomed an academic delegation from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UH Mānoa) on April 2, led by Professor of Ocean Engineering and Senior Advisor for International Research Collaboration Michael Bruno. Through institutional meetings, keynote lectures, and interdisciplinary academic dialogues, the visit further strengthened bilateral collaboration in atmospheric, oceanic, disaster science and technology, while opening new avenues for international education and research partnerships.
Since signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and student exchange agreement in 2020, NCU and UH Mānoa have established a solid foundation for cooperation. The agreements were renewed in September 2025, extending the partnership through 2030. Under the program, UH Mānoa provides one tuition-waived graduate exchange opportunity annually for NCU students. In addition, NCU’s Department of Atmospheric Sciences signed a “3+2” dual degree agreement in 2024 with UH Mānoa’s College of Natural Sciences, offering students an accelerated pathway to pursue a master’s degree abroad.
UH Mānoa is a public research university classified as “R1: Very High Research Activity.” Renowned for its strengths in ocean science, climate research, and Pacific regional studies, the university offers a highly international and culturally diverse research environment. Its key research areas closely align with NCU’s academic strengths, providing a strong basis for sustained collaboration.
During the visit, NCU also showcased its interdisciplinary research capabilities. Faculty members from atmospheric science, oceanography and hydrology, civil engineering, and space science presented their latest work. Topics included mesoscale meteorological radar applications, interactions between marine heatwaves and tropical cyclones, interdisciplinary approaches to geological hazard monitoring, and the use of advanced radar and GNSS satellite data for heavy rainfall forecasting—demonstrating NCU’s research excellence and innovation across multiple scientific domains.
This exchange not only demonstrated NCU’s research capacity in Earth sciences and disaster mitigation applications, but also reflected the achievements of its internationalization strategy. Moving forward, NCU will continue to strengthen collaboration with leading international academic institutions, promote transnational research initiatives and talent exchange, connect with global research networks, cultivate internationally competitive talent, and expand its impact on climate change and sustainable development.
