TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Education (MOE) announced it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Connecticut and renewed an existing MOU with Maine in January to strengthen the Taiwan-US Education Initiative.

The agreement with Connecticut was signed by MOE Department of International and Cross-Strait Education Director Joyce Yu-jiuan Lee (李毓娟) and Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker, per a press release. It outlines plans for educational exchanges and joint research in fields such as engineering and mathematics, as well as cooperation on Mandarin and English language teaching resources.

Meanwhile, the renewed MOU with Maine aims to deepen mutual understanding of educational systems, provide resources for Mandarin education, and integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses. Lee signed the agreement with Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin.

The MOE noted this is the fifth renewal of the Maine agreement but the first time it has been extended for five years instead of three, demonstrating a stronger bilateral commitment to educational cooperation.

To date, the MOE has signed 28 MOUs with 25 US states and pledged to continue promoting exchanges under the Taiwan-US Education Initiative.