Promoting Synergistic Growth Through Resource Integration and Experience Sharing

Asia University President Jeffrey J. P. Tsai stated that the M6 system facilitates diverse development and internationalization across the six universities

The first Advisory Committee and fifth Executive Committee meeting of the Mid-Taiwan University System (M6) was held on the morning of June 30 at Asia University (AU). The meeting brought together university presidents and representatives from the six M6 member universities—Asia University, China Medical University, Chung Shan Medical University, Tunghai University, Feng Chia University, and Providence University—along with 10 invited advisory committee members. Discussions centered on inter-university collaboration, shared teaching resources, and future development plans, aiming to leverage collective strengths through integration and exchange.

AU President and current M6 Chair Jeffrey J. P. Tsai stated that the meeting was convened in accordance with prior resolutions, and invited executive committee members and task force leaders from each university to participate. Topics included SDGs curriculum planning, faculty development, international exchange, student affairs collaboration, and library and e-resource sharing, with the goal of enhancing teaching quality, student engagement, and research capacity, while advancing the system’s diversity and internationalization.

AU Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Chun-Wei Lin emphasized that the core of M6 collaboration lies in shared teaching resources. By strengthening each university’s academic strengths, the system has seen steady growth in inter-university course enrollment from 2022 to 2025, along with an increase in minors and double major applications. He noted the importance of integrating teaching characteristics, resources, and learning environments across the six universities to attract international students and hold cross-campus cultural events, fostering resource reciprocity and multicultural understanding.

AU Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Shao-Liang Chang shared that the M6 system is committed to building a cross-campus platform for student affairs, encouraging active engagement among student councils, clubs, and joint service teams across the six universities. During club evaluations, universities also invite each other’s guidance offices for mutual learning and experience exchange.

AU Library Director and Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences Dr. Shu-chuan Liao noted that in the face of funding and resource constraints, shared library resources among the six universities is a strategic and necessary step. While the goal of the M6 system is mutual benefit, restrictions on electronic resource licensing prevent a single university from purchasing resources on behalf of the group. She proposed coordinated access management as an alternative or individual acquisitions with a push for national-level licensing, suggesting that the presidents collectively appeal to the Ministry of Education.

Advisory committee members also recommended the creation of a dedicated M6 system website to facilitate joint course enrollment and event registration for students from all six universities. In addition, they suggested applying to the Ministry of Education for inter-campus shuttle services to support student mobility, allowing more convenient access to cross-university courses and events, and maximizing the benefits of shared resources.

M6 system meeting at AU with participation from advisory committee members

Active discussion of proposals during the M6 system meeting

The M6 System Conference was held at Asia University. President Jing-Pha Tsai of Asia University (front row, sixth from the left) is pictured with fellow attendees in a group photo