At the behest of late president Chiang Kai-Shek in February 1967, Dr. Chun-Tsai Wu, the dean of the Institute of International Relations (IIR) established the Graduate Institute of East Asian Studies in cooperation with National Cheng-Chi University (NCCU) to foster talent in the ideological struggle against communism. In its role as the first graduate institute in Taiwan to specialize in China studies, the Institute began enrolling students in a master’s program in the fall of 1968 with Dr. Chun-Tsai Wu as its first director. In 1984, the Institute launched its Ph.D. program and began cultivating talent in the advanced studies of Mainland China. Over time, the Institute’s role gradually converted into an academic institution. In August of 2001, the Graduate Institute of East Asian Studies, the Graduate Institute of Russian Studies, and the Department of Diplomacy were placed under the College of International Affairs at NCCU.
By “East-Asia”, our teaching and research means to focus primarily on Mainland China and the region surrounding it. At the time of its foundation, the Graduate Institute of East Asian Studies provided training in Communist Theory, International Communist Movements and Mainland China Issues and promoted the development of both policymaking and advanced research in these areas. Precipitated by changes in Mainland China and cross-strait relations, our focus has shifted from the original “Communist Rebel Studies” to “China Studies” of broad scope, including political, economic, and social development in Mainland China.
Based on its comprehensive and in-depth historical background and strong foundation of research in China Studies, our institute is the ideal destination for academics who are eager to venture forth into the exciting new frontier of China on the rise. To keep up with the trends in China Studies, our institute provides a strong curriculum in social science research methodology. Special emphasis is given to state of the art approaches in research design and analysis that facilitate ways to understand the complex array of issues related to China. A variety of qualitative and quantitative approaches, including hands-on field research are explored. The main goal of the training we provide is to cultivate experts in cross-strait issues and China Studies capable of professional analysis from profound and comprehensive perspectives.