President Lee Teng-hui this morning met with Provost Thomas N. Mitchell and Studies Dean Andrew Mayes of Trinity College of the University of Dublin, Ireland. During the meeting, President Lee said that he hoped academic exchanges between the Republic of China and the Republic of Ireland can be further strengthened. He also encouraged Trinity College to forge close cooperative relations with the ROC's academic institutions.
Meanwhile, the President talked with the guests about his ideas for educational reforms here, which aim at improving this country's educational environment and providing local people with better educational opportunities and resources.
The guests were accompanied by ROC Education Minister Wu Jing to the Office of the President for the meeting. Also present were Dr. Ding Mou-shih, secretary-general of the ROC National Security Council, and Mr. Stephen S.F. Chen, deputy secretary-general to the President.
ROC Vice President and Premier Lien Chan visited Trinity College, Ireland's oldest and most prestigious educational institute, in January 1997, and he urged the college to enhance academic exchanges with the ROC's universities. In meeting with President Lee, Dr. Mitchell expressed his hope that the ROC will assist in the establishment at Trinity College of Ireland's first department of Sinology. The President then asked Minister Wu to offer assitance to Dr. Mitchell in this regard.
Provost Mitchell also told President Lee that he and Mr. Mayes will take advantage of this visit to study the ROC's current academic development.