University of Maryland President Wallace Loh is extending his Asia strategy with an innovation tour of Taiwan and South Korea – his third trip to the region since taking office in 2010. Loh is laying the groundwork for new research and educational partnerships through high-level meetings.

"An Important Trip Across the International Dateline" Six words describe the University of Maryland: an “innovation and entrepreneurship university globally connected.” In a flattened world, science, education, ideas and prosperity all transcend borders. Economic and technological development become a team sport. Successful universities must collaborate as well as compete on this international playing field – particularly in economic hotspots such as Asia. For this reason, I am traveling to Taiwan and South Korea. They have invested heavily in higher education and research; UMD has remarkable talent and advanced facilities to offer. As an international team, we can accelerate our progress. For the State of Maryland, this will help develop advanced technologies, attract investments and ultimately create jobs. UMD is already a major player, but the pace of international networking among research and educational institutions is accelerating, and we must be part of this race to the top. My previous Asian trips have already produced working research partnerships, and we expect tangible economic results in coming years. Similarly, academic exchange programs are vital to our students, who must be prepared to operate globally to achieve a full measure of success. On this trip, once again, I’ll meet with high-level government, research, industry and academic officials. We have come to build enduring relationships. Wallace Loh, UMD President

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Build on Success

Downtown Taipei looked normal enough this morning after a 6.5 magnitude earthquake shook us awake...

...We’re all safe, and no serious damage or injuries have been reported.

I'm here in Taiwan for only the second time in my life, and I am charmed by this lovely country. This is the National Palace Museum. Tomorrow, we'll start at the top and meet with Taiwan's president.

We used our first day to visit with our “ambassadors” here – Taiwanese researchers, educators, business people and government officials who have who worked with us and will advocate for us. We’re building on our successes.

We had dinner with some of our strongest advocates, leaders of our Taiwanese alumni. The Taipei Terps chapter is the biggest in the world, and many of its members hold positions of influence.

One alumna with whom we dined is a member of Academia Sinica, a prestigious Taiwanese research institution. Her children now attend UMD as well. She is interested in promoting new research exchanges, which may help us one day bring new businesses to Maryland.

Our hosts showed us great affection and respect, and we’ll meet with many other members of the chapter before we leave.