Launch of a Chair in Taiwan Studies at Inalco
This chair aims to develop training and research on contemporary Taiwanese society, approached from its linguistic, cultural and historical aspects, with an emphasis on systems of know-how. It also aims to foster and promote exchanges and partnerships between Inalco and Taiwanese institutions.
This initiative is spearheaded by Chan-Yueh Liu, a teacher and researcher specializing in the languages and cultures of East Asia, particularly Taiwan and China, with particular expertise in ethnoscenology and performative cultures.
His research project focuses on the know-how systems of contemporary Taiwanese society and its partnership network. It explores the evolution, circulation, innovation and Taiwanization of these systems of savoir-faire through three main axes:
- social and political movements;
- theatrical, visual and literary creations, and the cultural strategies put in place;
- the
Another aim of the chair is to broaden the range of training offered to undergraduate and graduate students:
- At undergraduate level, this Taiwanese studies program offers courses in Taiwanese, an introduction to Taiwanese history, as well as a reflection on contemporary Taiwanese society, particularly through the media and the concept of Taiwanization.
- At master's level, an interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary training course, in the form of a workshop cycle, was set up at Inalco in October 2024. Its aim is to analyze and explore the "systems of know-how developed by Taiwanese society and people" during the construction of contemporary Taiwanese society and its identity.
Several scientific and cultural events are already scheduled throughout the 2024-2025 academic year.
The creation of the chair will provide an opportunity to forge partnerships with Taiwan, an island with a strong international network of academic and socio-economic partnerships (43 partnerships built by Nvidia between companies and universities).
Chan-Yueh Liu emphasizes
the uniqueness of the Chair in Taiwan Studies in Europe, a major training and exchange center likely to attract a wide range of student profiles.
Besides the opportunity for learners to acquire a detailed knowledge of contemporary Taiwanese society through the training offered at Inalco, they will be able to benefit from the networks developed by Taiwan with Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asian countries and India in various fields including artificial intelligence in connection with Taiwan (France, Europe, African countries).
It also evokes
Taiwan's position as a global player in this field, as well as the desire of Taiwan's President, Mr. Lai Ching-te, to make Taiwan "an island of artificial intelligence" by promoting the development and industrialization of AI. At the same time, on a socio-cultural level, Taiwan is also a global player, contributing to the development of human rights and democracy already highlighted by Mrs. Tasi Ing-wen (former president) and emphasized by President Lai Ching-te.