The College of Management hosted a delegation from Waseda University from August 27 to September 5. Led by Professor Toshiyasu Ogawa, 19 students from Waseda University's School of Commerce visited Taiwan for a business training program. During their stay, the students visited several renowned enterprises, including Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, Mizuho Bank, Lin's Ceramics Studio, Asahi Shimbun, Mitsubishi Corporation, All Nippon Airways, and NVIDIA, gaining in-depth insights into current developments across various industries.

                                           

Professor Shing-Yang Hu, Dean of the College of Management at NTU, welcomed the Waseda University delegation at the opening ceremony, emphasizing the importance of this visit in strengthening ties between NTU and Waseda University. Professor Bryan Jean, Associate Dean of International Affairs, provided an introduction to the college. Mr. Charles Hsieh, Vice President of the Waseda University Alumni Association in Taiwan, expressed hopes for continued collaboration in the future. Representing Waseda University, Professor Toshiyasu Ogawa from the School of Commerce and Mr. Satoshi Tsumura, Director of the International Exchange Center, conveyed their gratitude for NTU’s arrangements. They also outlined the visit's goals and shared Waseda University’s global vision. A welcome event followed, fostering a positive cultural exchange between faculty and students from both institutions.

                                           

During the program, Waseda University students visited Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Department Store to explore the development and competitive landscape of Taiwan's department store industry. The general manager of Shin Kong Mitsukoshi shared the company's strategies for maintaining its leading position amidst intense competition and guided students through the store to highlight aspects of retail management. The students also visited the Taipei branch of Mizuho Bank to learn about business development in Taiwan and the bank's contributions to the local economy.

The delegation also visited Lin's Ceramics Studio, a renowned Taiwanese brand specializing in tea ware, and the Taiwan branch of Asahi Shimbun. At Lin’s Ceramics Studio, students experienced Taiwan’s tea culture firsthand, learning how ceramic materials can influence tea aroma and exploring current trends in the tea industry. The visit to Asahi Shimbun’s Taipei branch was hosted by senior journalist Mr. Takada, who shared his experiences in China and led discussions on contemporary developments in Taiwan and Hong Kong, offering students invaluable insights into news production.

                                           

To understand the expansion of Japanese business in Taiwan, the delegation visited the Taiwan branches of Mitsubishi Corporation Ltd. and All Nippon Airways (ANA). At Mitsubishi Corporation’s Taiwan office, students learned how the company has entered the Taiwanese market, particularly in the semiconductor and wind energy sectors. A sharing session with Japanese employees provided students with personal perspectives on the challenges and rewards of working in Taiwan’s trading industry. At ANA, the delegation was introduced to the airline’s operational strategies for the Taiwan market and its collaborations with local businesses to enhance customer service.

                                           

The final stop was NVIDIA’s Taipei office, where students were introduced to the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data. The visit sparked an engaging discussion on AI’s future development and its associated ethical considerations.

The program concluded with a sharing event on the final day, where students presented their learnings from the corporate visits in both Chinese and English. The Q&A session encouraged deeper discussions. This program offered Waseda students valuable insights into international business strategies and the complexities of cross-cultural interactions, while NTU students gained knowledge about international exchanges and observed the operations of various enterprises in Taiwan. Both universities look forward to further collaborations in the future.