Cross-border · Internationalisation and TNE · United Kingdom
St Andrews leaders visit Taiwan to explore dual degrees and semiconductor internships
At the invitation of Taiwan's Ministry of Education, University of St Andrews leaders visited Taiwan from 1 to 3 November to explore dual degrees, a chip and AI micro-programme and a Taiwan studies chair.
Why it matters: St Andrews and its Taiwanese hosts are weighing dual degrees, UK student internships in Taiwan's semiconductor and AI sector, and a Taiwan studies chair.
Taiwan's Ministry of Education said Prof. Dame Sally Mapstone, principal of the University of St Andrews, made her first visit to Taiwan at its invitation from 1 to 3 November 2026, accompanied by Prof. Brad MacKay and global office director Samantha Lister.
According to the ministry, the delegation met Academia Sinica, National Taiwan University and National Chengchi University, and was welcomed by Political Deputy Minister of Education Liu Kuo-wei.
The ministry said the visit explored dual degrees and research exchange in fields such as political science and biomedical chips, a micro-programme combining semiconductor and AI internships with Sinology study for UK students in Taiwan, and a possible Taiwan studies chair.
The ministry stated that the UK is the top European study destination for Taiwanese students and that it hopes the visit will further broaden the scope of cooperation under existing agreements.
Editor’s view
Rachel Smith, Students and International Editor
For St Andrews and its Taiwanese hosts, the three areas discussed remain possibilities; if they are adopted, UK students would gain a route to semiconductor and AI internships combined with Sinology study in Taiwan, alongside dual degrees in fields including political science.
What to watch
- Whether St Andrews and its Taiwanese partners formalise dual degrees, the semiconductor and AI micro-programme or a Taiwan studies chair.
