TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Stanford University's Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (APARC) inaugurated its new Taiwan Program at the Innovate Taiwan: Shaping the Future of a Postindustrial Society conference on May 2.

According to a Stanford press release, the program will act as an interdisciplinary hub to research Taiwan's economy and society. It will also help foster the next generation of Taiwan experts, the university said.

Stanford President Richard Saller applauded the program’s start and said it will advance Stanford as a global university. “The program will do what Stanford does best—provide a cross-disciplinary, university-wide hub, where scholars from across campus and beyond can convene to study contemporary Taiwan,” the president said.

In an interview with CNA, APARC Director Shin Gi-wook (申起旭) said that this is the best time to launch the Taiwan Program as students have recently become interested in the country. 

“Unlike think tank projects and science and technology centers, the Taiwan Program is a permanent initiative that receives resources from the university's schools,” the professor said.

Under the jurisdiction of APARC, previously there were projects focused on Japan, Korea, China, Southeast Asia, and others, Shin explained. Taiwan is now on the list and will establish courses in various fields, marking a significant development, he added.

“Today is just the beginning, and the growing interest in Taiwan from various sectors is not only due to geopolitical relations but also a genuine recognition of Taiwan's influence,” he said. “Taiwan does indeed have a place on the world stage now.”