To implement the "Inter-University Cooperation Memorandum" and the "3+2 Bachelor's and Master's Dual Degree Cooperation Agreement" signed by University of Hawaii President David Lassner during his visit to Taiwan in November 2023, National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU) Vice President Cheng-Yu Gu led a delegation, including International Director Yu-Wei Chang and four others, for a return visit to the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM) from May 14 to 16, 2024.

On May 15, Director General Richard Lin of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Honolulu received a courtesy call of NTOU delegation. He encouraged NTOU to implement the "3+2 Bachelor's and Master's Dual Degree Program" between the two universities. He also expressed gratitude to Chairman Chia-Pei Wang, a NTOU alumnus, of the Alice & JP Wang Foundation for his generous donation of USD 120,000. The gift scholarship, in collaboration with the University of Hawaii Foundation, established a three-year Capstone Program to support students enrolled of the UHM Chinese Flagship Program for a one-year Chinese language immersion study in Taiwan. This initiative has made a positive contribution to promoting higher education cooperation between Taiwan and state of Hawaii. Additionally, Director General Lin was pleased to see that the NTOU Chinese Language Center is considering collaboration with the University of Hawaii in Chinese language teaching.

The delegation continued their visit in the afternoon by calling upon UH President David Lassner. They also met separately with Dr. Charles Fletcher, Dean of the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, and Dr. Brennon Morioka, Dean of the College of Engineering. They discussed expanding the cooperation projects of the "3+2 Bachelor's and Master's Dual Degree Program" between the two universities. By identifying the research strength of both universities, they focused on potential areas of cooperation in ocean engineering, shipping management, food science, environmental biology and fisheries science. They also established contact points between the two universities to facilitate further departmental collaborations in the future.

Besides, to implement the specific cooperation projects of the "3+2 Bachelor's and Master's Dual Degree Program," NTOU and UH plan to open applications for UH students to intern at NTOU through a short-term program starting from the summer of 2025. This initiative aims to enhance the UH students' understanding of life in Taiwan and the research fields at NTOU, thereby increasing their interest in studying in Taiwan.

Later at night, Director General Mr. and Mrs. Lin hosted a pau hana reception for the NTOU delegation at his official residence. Six senior representatives from the UHM, including President David Lassner, Vice President and CEO of the UH Foundation Tim Dolan, Provost Michael Bruno, Chief Global Officer Brent White, Dean of the College of Engineering Brennon Morioka, and Assistant Dean Song Choi, were also invited to attend. Both parties expressed their gratitude to the TECO in Honolulu for assisting in identifying commonalities and potential areas of cooperation between the two universities and refer to each other as "true partners." The atmosphere at the event was cordial and friendly.

On May 15, 2024, Director General Richard Lin (third from right) receives a visiting delegation of National Taiwan Ocean University, including Vice President Gu Cheng-Yu Gu (third from left) and International Director Yu-Wei  Chang (second from right) at TECO in Honolulu.

On May 15, 2024, Director General Richard Lin (third from right) accompanies NTOU Vice President Cheng-yu Gu (third from left) and delegates for a courtesy call upon University of Hawaii President David Lassner (center).

On May 15, 2024, NTOU Vice President Cheng-Yu Gu and delegates meet with Dr. Charles Fletcher, Dean of the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology at the UHM campus (center).

On May 15, 2024, NTOU Vice President Cheng-Yu Gu (fourth from left) and delegates meet with Dean Brennon Morioka (center), and Assistant Dean Song Choi (third from right) of the College of Engineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa.

On May 15, 2024, Director General Richard Lin (fifth from left) hosts a pau hana reception at his official residence for NTOU Vice President Cheng-Yu Gu (fifth from right) and delegates of five, University of Hawaii President David Lassner (center), Vice President and CEO of the UH Foundation Tim Dolan (fourth from left), along with other senior members of UH faculty, and OCAC Commissioner John Ho (second from left) of Honolulu.