From May 5th to 8th, 2024, President Yang, accompanied by Provost Tsai Tyan-Muh, Associate Professor Yeh Yun-Hu, and colleagues, visited the Philippines to sign Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA). These MOUs aimed to establish academic partnerships and enhance international cooperation and exchange. The delegation also visited the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) to understand their training systems and environments.

In January 2024, CPU initiated its first study tour to the Philippines through coordination with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office of Philippines (TECO). The tour included visits to the Philippine National Police, Coast Guard, Drug Enforcement Agency, and PMMA, as well as a two-week intensive English course at UST. Both UST and PMMA expressed a strong willingness to sign MOUs with CPU, thereby facilitating this visit to the Philippines. With the planning and reception arranged by TECO, the signing ceremony and visit proceeded smoothly and successfully.

The first stop of this visit was to the UST, where the MOU was signed by Secretary-General Rev. Fr. Louie R. Coronel and President Yang Yuan-Ming. The signing ceremony, held in the Conference Center, was witnessed by officials from both institutions, including UST's Director of the Office of International Relations, the Dean of the Graduate School, the Dean of the College of Civil Law, the Dean of the College of Science, the Head of the Language Center, along with Minister Yang Teng-Shi, Deputy-Representatives from TECO and representatives from CPU. UST, the oldest university in Asia and the world's largest Catholic university, with more than 43,000 students. It offers academic programs in law, medicine, engineering, education, sports science, social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities. It has established cooperative partnerships with 14 colleges and universities in Taiwan, including National Taiwan University and Tsinghua University, as well as 171 higher education institutions in 32 countries.

The following day, the delegation visited the PMMA, where the MOU was signed by President Joel Y. Abutal and President Yang Yuan-Ming. The signing ceremony, held at the library’s Knowledge Center, was attended by officials from both institutions, including PMMA’s Vice Presidents, Director of the International Office, Dean of the College of Maritime Transportation, Dean of the College of Marine Engineering, and representatives from CPU. PMMA, equipped with advanced maritime training facilities in ship deck, engine, and communication, is a pioneering institution in maritime education in the Philippines. Through its military-style leadership and strict discipline requirements, PMMA has cultivated numerous outstanding educators and trainers in the maritime and naval industries, including naval officers, coast guard officials, sailors, chief engineers, and ship management personnel, both domestically and internationally. The signing of MOUs with UST and PMMA aims to enhance future cooperation, exchanges, and academic development. It involves initiating research on legal, maritime, and other topics of interest to both parties, and facilitating further academic connections and emotional bonds through reciprocal visits of study tours.

In addition, Taiwan has had long-term cross-border law enforcement cooperation with the Philippine police, collaborating on the investigation and resolution of numerous significant cases involving drugs, fraud, and other crimes. Therefore, this visit also included arrangements to visit the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) to draw insights from the school system and experience in cultivating law enforcement officers.

The Central Police University is the highest institution in Taiwan for training law enforcement officers in the police, coast guard, firefighter, correction, immigration, and national security sectors. It offers four-year bachelor's programs, two-year programs, master's and doctoral programs, etc. CPU has established sister-school partnerships with many universities worldwide and welcomed international students from various law enforcement agencies to study and further their education at our school. Through the signing of this MOU, a platform for bilateral exchanges between Taiwan and the Philippines is established, and future opportunities for international academic exchanges and cooperation will continue to be expanded to enhance the international perspectives of faculty and students.