Michigan Tech has entered an agreement with Chaoyang University of Technology, in Taiwan, that will expand opportunities for students and faculty at both institutions.

President Glenn Mroz and CYUT President Chin Chung-Jen signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday, Sept. 5. The agreement opens to door to a variety of cooperative endeavors, said Robert Warrington, dean of engineering.

"As Michigan Tech works to expand its global programs, it's natural that we start these strong collaborations with universities such as CYUT," he said. "It's similar to us in many ways: it's focused on technology and interested in growing innovative programs and research."

Possible areas of collaboration include joint undergraduate programs; faculty and student exchanges; graduate education; and research.

"I'd expect that this partnership will bring a number of highly motivated, qualified students to Michigan Tech," said Professor Chung-Jui Tsai, director of Michigan Tech's Biotechnology Research Center and a native of Taiwan. "It will also allow our own students to broaden their education and expand their view of the world."

CYUT was founded in 1994 as the first private technological college in Taiwan and became the first private technological university in 1997. It received the top rank among private universities for FY2005 by Taiwan's Ministry of Education.