2024.09.25
NTHU president W. John Kao (高為元) (left) presenting Professor Ogasawara with his letter of appointment as honorary chair professor.
National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) in Taiwan has recently appointed Japanese scholar of political science Ogasawara Yoshiyuki as an honorary chair professor. Professor Ogasawara has been researching Taiwanese politics for more than 30 years and has accurately predicted the results of Taiwan's general elections several times. This semester he is teaching two courses on Taiwanese politics for NTHU's Interdisciplinary Program of Humanities and Social Sciences, both of which have attracted a large number of students, including auditors from other schools.
At the appointment ceremony, Professor Ogasawara said that although he only began teaching at NTHU one month ago, he already feels like a member of the campus community. Last year he retired from the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, and although one of the courses he regularly taught there was on Taiwanese politics, this is the first time he has taught in Chinese, which is a new challenge.
“Life is all about facing new challenges and welcoming new opportunities,” Ogasawara said with a smile. “And judging from my experience in the classroom over the past few weeks, my decision to teach at NTHU was a good one.”
Ogasawara said he is impressed with how diligent his students are and thanked them for their magnanimity in bearing with his less-than-fluent Chinese. After saying that he is pleased to have the opportunity to share his understanding of politics with his students at NTHU and that he always welcomes suggestions for improvement, he gave a deep Japanese-style bow.
In talking about the differences between Taiwanese and Japanese students, Ogasawara said that both are very diligent, but since his students at NTHU are already familiar with Taiwanese society they can quickly engage in in-depth discussions on such topics as the influence on politics of ethnic and regional divisions.
One of the courses being taught by Ogasawara is Taiwan Politics and Elections, which quickly reached full enrollment; in addition to students from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the course is also being taken by students from outside departments such as Chemistry and Counseling, and it has even attracted auditors from National Taiwan University and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. The first class was standing room only, so the course had to be moved to a larger classroom.
The other course being taught by Ogasawara is a seminar titled “Taiwan Election Research,” which has also proven to be highly popular, but requires all students to submit a report.
Over the past 30 years, Ogasawara has visited Taiwan more than 150 times to study Taiwanese politics. Although he has twice lived in Taipei for an extended period, he is now looking forward to getting to know Hsinchu better, in particular its famous snacks and local coffee.
During the event, NTHU president W. John Kao (高為元) welcomed Ogasawara to the NTHU family, adding that lots of sweat, tears, and blood have been shed on Taiwan's long road to democratization, and that Ogasawara's acute observations serve as a mirror that helps clarify the nation's history, current situation, and future direction.
College of Humanities and Social Sciences dean Cho-Ying Li (李卓穎) said that Professor Ogasawara is a highly disciplined academician who spends at least six hours every day studying the latest developments in Taiwanese politics. Over the years he has met a large number of Taiwanese politicians, while strictly adhering to his policy of confidentiality and non-involvement, thereby earning an unusual level of trust and lending his research a high degree of credibility and neutrality.
Jen-To Yao (姚人多), director of the Interdisciplinary Program of Humanities and Social Sciences, said that he was in Tokyo last August when he learned that Ogasawara had just retired, and he wasted no time in inviting him to teach at NTHU. Yao pointed out that by analyzing election polls and conducting a large number of first-hand interviews, Ogasawara has successfully predicted the results of every presidential election in Taiwan.
Yao said that Ogasawara will teach at NTHU for at least one year and that he expects his students to learn a great deal about conducting research and doing field work.
Jia-An Zhang (張佳安), a senior in the Interdisciplinary Program of Humanities and Social Sciences, who is taking both courses being taught by Professor Ogasawara, said that he makes complex concepts accessible by explaining them with easy-to-understand language, while keeping things lively by telling relevant stories and by sharing his personal experience in studying Taiwanese politics over the years.
Ogasawara (right) discussing the political scene in Taiwan with Jen-To Yao (姚人多), director of the Interdisciplinary Program of Humanities and Social Sciences at NTHU.
Ogasawara said that he began teaching at NTHU exactly one month ago, and that he already feels like a member of the campus community.
Ogasawara speaking on the future of Taiwanese politics.
Left to right: College of Humanities and Social Sciences assistant dean Kuei-Yun Lee (李癸雲); NTHU senior vice president Nyan-Hwa Tai (戴念華); NTHU president W. John Kao (高為元); Professor Ogasawara; College of Humanities and Social Sciences dean Cho-Ying Li (李卓穎); and Jen-To Yao (姚人多), director of the Interdisciplinary Program of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Faculty and guests at the ceremony for appointing Ogasawara (center) as honorary chair professor.
Ogasawara (left) and Kao chatting during the ceremony.
Ogasawara preparing prior to the ceremony.
Ogasawara teaching his course on Taiwanese politics at NTHU.
For Ogasawara, his courses at NTHU are the first time he has taught in Chinese.
Ogasawara (right) interacting with one of his students.
Ogasawara (right) enjoys interacting with his students.
Professor Ogasawara will spend at least one year teaching and conducting research as an honorary chair professor at NTHU.
Professor Ogasawara will spend at least one year teaching and conducting research as an honorary chair professor at NTHU.
