• 2016-05-06

National Central Library (NCL) Director General, Shu-hsien Tseng and Jagiellonian University Rector, Prof. Dr. hab. Wojciech Nowak, signed a memorandum of cooperation on "Taiwan Resource Centre for Chinese Studies" (TRCCS) followed by the inauguration opening ceremony on May 5. This is the NCL's first TRCCS in Poland and 19th TRCCS set up overseas.

To facilitate academic exchanges in Chinese studies, for the first time, the NCL, Institute of Oriental Studies at Jagiellonian University, the Monumenta Serica Sinological Research Center at Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan, and the Monumenta Serica Institute in Sankt Augustin, Germany co-host two-day conference, "Sinological Studies in Central Europe: Language and Culture – Literature and History – Religion and Philosophy." Scholars from Taiwan, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Hungary have been invited to discuss the research and contributions of Central European sinologists and missionaries to Chinese culture, as well as current developments in the field. It is hoped that the conference will spur on further cooperation and exchange between Taiwan and Central European universities.

Poland has an extensive history in Chinese studies, traceable back to the 17th century. Polish Jesuit missionary Michael Boym traveled to China to preach and composed many works on Chinese plants, animals, geography, and medicine. In the early 20th century, more and more Polish scholars were researching the Orient, especially the field of Chinese studies. In 1933 a Chinese studies center was established in Poland, and select universities established departments related to Chinese studies.

One of these universities was Jagiellonian University, which has an Institute of Oriental Studies and a Chinese department that provide courses in Chinese language teaching and Chinese studies. It also has engaged in many cooperative endeavors with several universities in Taiwan, including becoming sister universities with Fu Jen Catholic University. In 2015, FJU sent Chinese language teachers to Jagiellonian University's Chinese department to give language classes and enhance Pole's interest in learning Chinese.

Furthermore, from 1999 to present a total of 33 Polish scholars have received research grants from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Center for Chinese Studies to conduct research on Chinese or Taiwan studies in Taiwan. Of these scholars, three are professors from Jagiellonian University's Institute of Middle and Far Eastern Studies. Because of this Jagiellonian University's interaction with Taiwan has become even closer. I am pleased that we can work with the Jagiellonian University in striving to expand research on Chinese studies and Taiwan studies.

The Jagiellonian University's interaction with Taiwan has become even closer and Chinese studies in Jagiellonian University are rooted in a long tradition of expertise. It is therefore evident that the choice of Jagiellonian University to establish the TRCCS this year.

In her speech, NCL Director General Tseng pointed out that she is pleased that the NCL can work with the Jagiellonian University in striving to expand research on Chinese studies and Taiwan studies. The TRCCS will not only provide important resources to the faculty and students at Jagiellonian University and to researchers studying Taiwan studies, it will also be beneficial in increasing exchange and cooperation between Jagiellonian University, Poland, and academic institutions in Taiwan. It will also increase the energy of Chinese studies, as it is a critical international window that allows others a glimpse at the amazing books published in Taiwan and the rich Chinese studies digital resources from Taiwan. In short, it displays the achievements Taiwan has made in promoting Chinese studies.

Jagiellonian University Rector Dr. Hab. Wojciech Nowak stated he was pleased to be able to work with the NCL in establishing the TRCCS. He believes it will spur on more exchanges and cooperative endeavors between Poland and Taiwan regarding Chinese studies, as well as greatly improve the efficacy of instruction and research in the university's Institute of Oriental Studies.

The NCL has not only donated 633 titles, 741 volumes of Chinese books published in Taiwan, but also provided access to digital resources, including Taiwan digital archives and electronic databases, for the faculty and students at Jagiellonian University. At the opening ceremony, Director General Tseng particularly donated replicas of The Annotated Poetry of Su Dongpo, a national treasure of the Republic of China that is more than 800 years old, and The Diamond Sutra, an only existing copy of the earliest wood block print book with dual color. These gifts will certainly enrich the collections of Jagiellonian University. It is also a witness to a historic moment of our mutual cooperation, opening up opportunities for future cooperation. Moreover, this donation by NCL is a great blessings to many teachers and students at the Jagiellonian University and scholars in Poland working in Chinese studies and Taiwan studies. It will promote academic discussion and cooperation on Chinese studies.

The establishment of the TRCCS at the Jagiellonian University and attracted a good number of people to participate in the opening ceremony, as well as the "Conference: Sinological Studies in Central Europe: Language and Culture – Literature and History – Religion and Philosophy." Among them are Dr hab. Dorota Szumska, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Philology, Prof. dr hab. Barbara Michalak-Pikulska, head of the Institute of Oriental Studies, teachers, students of Jagiellonian University and Director Mei-ting Huang from Fu Jen Catholic University. They were interested in the replicas of The Annotated Poetry of Su Dongpo and The Diamond Sutra and the books and resources provided by the TRCCS. The university's library had the valuable books that NCL donated on display on the first floor. The books were of a variety of subjects, attracting many attendees, as well as faculty and students of the school.