The inaugural Taiwan MVP talk was successfully held on March 9, 2026, at the College of Social Sciences, National Taiwan University.
The event opened with welcoming remarks by Professor Yu-tzung Chang, Dean of the College of Social Sciences. In his address, Dean Chang noted that Taiwan is playing an increasingly important role in today’s international landscape. Through the Taiwan MVP (Taiwan as the Most Valuable Partner) initiative, the College of Social Sciences hopes to deepen collaboration with leading academic institutions in the United States and promote closer academic exchange and policy dialogue between Taiwan and the U.S.
The lecture was moderated by Academician Yu-Shan Wu, Professor of Political Science at NTU. Ambassador John Hennessy-Niland delivered a talk titled “Taiwan’s Partnership with the United States and Pacific Island Nations.” The event took place at the Liang Kuo-Shu International Conference Hall at NTU’s College of Social Sciences, where the Ambassador engaged in an in-depth dialogue with faculty members and students. From diplomatic and strategic perspectives, Ambassador Hennessy-Niland shared insights on the deepening partnerships among Taiwan, the United States, and Pacific Island countries, and discussed how the Pacific Islands are emerging as an important strategic space linking Asia and the Americas.
The venue was filled to capacity, with students and scholars from various departments actively participating in the discussion. The lively exchange featured thoughtful questions on topics such as the Indo-Pacific region, economic security, and diplomatic cooperation.
This lecture also marks an important starting point for the Taiwan MVP (Taiwan as the Most Valuable Partner) initiative, which the College of Social Sciences and the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University have committed to advancing together. Ambassador Hennessy-Niland also led a delegation of six graduate students from the Bush School, majoring in international relations and public affairs, to Taiwan for academic exchange with faculty and students at NTU’s College of Social Sciences. Through this platform, we hope to further strengthen Taiwan–U.S. academic exchange in the social sciences and deepen dialogue on foreign policy, while cultivating the next generation of young leaders engaged in international affairs.
We thank all faculty members, students, and guests who joined us for the event, and extend our special appreciation to Ambassador Hennessy-Niland for his insightful and inspiring remarks.