VINTA Sets Sail! Taiwan–Philippines iUSR Joint Office Inaugurated to Build a New Paradigm for Sustainable Education
KMU and the University of the Philippines Deepen Cross-Border Collaboration to Nurture the Next Generation with Global Vision
VINTA officially sets sail! Today (October 9, 2025), the “VINTA Joint Office” was inaugurated, marking a historic milestone in the partnership between Kaohsiung Medical University’s Namasia USR Project and the University of the Philippines. Together, they will establish a cross-border talent education base for Taiwan and the Philippines.
The term “VINTA” originates from a traditional Philippine sailboat. It symbolizes the vessel carrying knowledge, culture, and dreams, setting sail toward a broader future. The VINTA Joint Office aspires to become an important platform for advancing educational cooperation, talent cultivation, cultural exchange, entrepreneurship, and community sustainability. By bridging nations, it brings Taiwan and the Philippines closer, carrying the values of education and social responsibility onto the global stage while addressing the pressing societal and environmental challenges of our time.
With the establishment of VINTA, KMU’s USR practices in rural areas of Taiwan will not only be deepened but also expanded internationally, truly embodying the principle of “Local Action × Global Vision.” More than just a platform, VINTA will serve as an incubator for nurturing future generations of cross-border talents. Through faculty and student exchanges, experience-based learning, and intercultural dialogue, people from diverse backgrounds will share knowledge, refine skills, and broaden their global perspectives through mutual cultural understanding. The VINTA Office will also serve as a key base for organizing joint courses and activities, facilitating capacity building and research collaboration, human resource exchange, and ensuring that cross-border cooperation moves into concrete action. Both institutions aspire to advance ongoing cross-sector exchanges, cultural preservation, industrial partnerships, and joint research, cultivating talents who have both local care and global vision.
Notably, the cooperation also welcomes the participation of industry. The Kaohsiung Linhai Industrial Park Association, under Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, joins as a strategic partner, bridging the gap between academia and practical industrial application. Taiwan currently faces a severe workforce shortage, while the Philippines struggles with limited industrial development and long-standing skills gaps. Through this cross-border collaboration, KMU’s Namasia USR Project will integrate its expertise to provide education and vocational training for young Filipinos, enhancing their professional competencies. Upon completing their training, these talents will be equipped to join Taiwan’s industries, addressing the workforce shortages.Furthermore, the Coastal Industrial Park will offer a high-quality and supportive working environment, enabling these talents to apply their skills in Taiwan while gaining valuable career opportunities.
This model not only addresses the immediate needs of Taiwanese industries but also empowers Filipino talents to eventually bring their knowledge and experience back home, thereby contributing to local industrial development. It is more than just an academia-industry partnership—it embodies the spirit of mutual support and shared prosperity among international partners.
The inauguration of VINTA signifies more than the unveiling of a joint office. It represents a commitment by universities and industries to act upon and fulfill social responsibilities and mark the beginning of a far-reaching educational journey across the seas. VINTA is not merely an office but a vessel of hope—an ark uniting Taiwan and the Philippinesto advance education, industry, culture, and social sustainability, opening a new chapter in cross-national collaboration.