• 
• 
• 

Science and Education Ties

Taiwan and Lithuania have been actively strengthening academic cooperation since Lithuania regained independence in 1990. In July 1991—two months before Lithuania was admitted to the United Nations—Taiwan’s Ministry of Education launched the “Scholarship for Students from the Commonwealth of Independent States and Eastern European Countries to Study in Taiwan,” which included Lithuania. Throughout the 1990s, multiple high-level delegations from both countries, including representatives from their respective education ministries, exchanged visits. This culminated in a 1999 agreement to promote scientific cooperation. Shortly thereafter, Lithuania, Latvia, and Taiwan initiated a collaborative framework that provides funding for joint research projects involving teams from all three countries. This boosted university partnerships in Lithuania and Taiwan, leading to cooperation agreements and facilitating student and staff exchanges. By the 2010s and 2020s, academic activities between Lithuania and Taiwan had significantly increased.

Key milestones in the academic relationship between the two countries are highlighted in the following timeline:

Key Institutions

The primary Lithuanian institutions pursuing studies about Taiwan are concentrated in Vilnius and Kaunas, notably Vilnius University and Vytautas Magnus University (VMU). Vilnius University’s Centre of Oriental Studies (later renamed the Institute of Asian and Transcultural Studies) has been engaged in sinology studies, including topics related to Taiwan, since the late 1990s. VMU, with its Centre for Asian Studies and Taiwan Centre, has been involved in sinology research since the 2000s.

These institutional efforts laid the foundation for bilateral agreements between Lithuanian and Taiwanese universities, with both Vilnius University and VMU signing their first agreements in 2010. Since then, the number of partner universities in Taiwan has grown. By 2024, Vilnius University had 12 agreements, and VMU had 7. Other universities, such as Kaunas University of Technology and Vilnius Tech, are also expanding their partnerships, especially in the natural sciences. Each of these institutions has 7 agreements with Taiwan.

Over the past 25 years, Lithuanian and Taiwanese scholars have collaborated on more than 80 academic research projects, most within the trilateral Lithuania-Latvia-Taiwan funding program. The majority—over 90%—of these projects have been in the natural sciences, focusing on areas such as chemistry, physics, and medicine. Vilnius University, Kaunas University of Technology, Vilnius Tech, VMU, and the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences have played leading roles in these collaborations.

Taiwanese partners have also helped enrich academic resources for sinology students and researchers in Lithuania. Since 2011, VMU’s Asian Books Space has expanded its collection through support from the Chiang Ching-Kuo Foundation. In 2022, Vilnius University established the Taiwan Resource Center for Chinese Studies, further enhancing access to Taiwanese academic materials.

[Photos: The Head of Taipei Mission in Republic of Latvia Mr. Rong-chuan Wu during the opening of Asian Books Space in 2016; the opening of Taiwan Resource Center for Chinese Studies in Vilnius University in 2022; the name board of Taiwan Resource Center for Chinese Studies in Vilnius University in 2022; a delegation from the National Sun Yat-sen University visiting Kaunas University of Technology in 2022; Taipei Tech visiting Vilnius Teach in 2023; a public lecture at VMU about Taiwan’s indigenous language by Prof. Apay Ai-yu Tang (National Taipei University of Technology) in 2018]

Researchers

The field of Taiwan studies in Lithuania is still relatively young, with its development beginning only in the late 1990s. Some of the most prominent scholars in this field include Antanas Andrijauskas, Loreta Poškaitė, Agnė Budriūnaitė, Aurelijus Zykas, Vytis Silius, Konstantinas Andrijauskas, Vida Mačikėnaitė, Balys Astrauskas, Raigirdas Boruta, and others. These researchers have incorporated Taiwan into their broader areas of interest, exploring its history, culture, politics, and society from various perspectives. As of 2024, no Lithuanian researcher had yet defended a PhD thesis specifically focused on Taiwan. However, a handful of MA graduates have concentrated on Taiwan in their research, covering topics such as “The Expression of Daoism Philosophy in Taiwan’s Ecological Discourse,” “Reforms of Electoral Systems: Cases of South Korea and Taiwan,” and “Cross-Strait Relations: The Issue of Identity as Presented in The China Post and The Taipei Times (2008–2011).”

A similar situation exists in Taiwan regarding Lithuanian studies. According to the Taiwan National Central Library database, no PhD thesis has yet been defended specifically on Lithuania. However, 11 MA theses have been written on topics related to Lithuania, mostly within the field of political science. One notable exception in the historical context is the case of Mo Chien-Ching (莫建清), a Taiwanese scholar who pursued studies on Lithuania. In 1977, a Lithuanian-American diaspora newspaper published an article about Mo, who had recently earned a PhD at the University of Rochester under the supervision of Lithuanian linguist Dr. Antanas Klimas. His dissertation, titled “Case Grammar of Spoken Lithuanian,” marked a significant academic contribution. Upon returning to Taiwan, Mo worked at the College of Foreign Languages and Literature at National Chengchi University until 2002. He also published several books, including A Case Grammar of Spoken Lithuanian (1980) and Lithuanian Syntax: A Case Grammar Description (1981).

Students

The movement of students between Lithuania and Taiwan began in the 2000s when the first individuals showed interest in participating in short-term training programs, summer schools, or enrolling in full-time studies. Around 2010, the first agreements between Lithuanian and Taiwanese universities were signed, enabling regular student exchange programs.

As the statistical charts above show, the number of Lithuanian students studying in Taiwan, and vice versa, has increased significantly over the past decade. The only major setback occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted international travel between 2020 and 2022. However, student exchange between Lithuania and Taiwan continued, as both countries allowed student mobility during this period.

The growing number of Lithuanian students who have participated in short- or long-term studies in Taiwan led the Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania to establish an alumni association. The association held its first meeting in 2023 and has since continued to meet regularly.

Here is the story of YuHsiu Cheng (鄭宇修), a Taiwanese student, and his experience studying at Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas, Lithuania.

Hello, my name is YuHsiu Cheng (鄭宇修) from Taiwan. I’ve been in Lithuania for almost two years, and I’d like to share my story about studying here.

You’re probably wondering, “Why Lithuania?” I get asked this question all the time when I meet new people. My answer is usually, “Why not?” But in reality, it feels like fate. It might sound unbelievable, even to me sometimes, but here’s how it happened. After finishing my university entrance exam in Taiwan, I was accepted into some local universities but had a lot of free time with nothing to do. One day, I stumbled upon an article about lesser-known countries where Taiwanese students could study abroad, and that’s when I first learned about the Baltic states. I started researching universities and discovered that Lithuania was still accepting applications. I told my dad I wanted to apply, and although he thought I was joking, he supported me since it gave me something to focus on during the lockdown.

By the time my family realized I was serious, it was too late to change my mind. My curiosity about Lithuania grew, and I was determined to experience it for myself.

The first three months were incredibly tough. The winter weather was harsh, with almost no sunlight, and the loneliness started to get to me. The social dynamics were also very different from what I was used to in East Asia. At first, I was too shy to start conversations and always waited for others to approach me. But I quickly learned that this approach doesn’t work with Lithuanians. Thankfully, I made some wonderful friends who helped me adjust to life in Lithuania and overcome the stress of adapting. I’m truly grateful for all the support they’ve given me.

As for my studies, I’ve found them to be quite manageable. The environment here is very relaxed, and the university offers plenty of opportunities for self-improvement. I would say that VDU (Vytautas Magnus University) is always ready to support you whenever you need it. Now, I’m accustomed to the lifestyle—no rush, just stay chill and be cool. I’ve never regretted the decision I made two years ago.

Sources:

• Education management information system of Lithuania
• Lithuanian Academic Libraries Network
• National Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations in Taiwan