Vilnius University Opens Taiwan Resource Centre for Chinese Studies

On 12 October, Vilnius University (VU) launched the Taiwan Resource Centre for Chinese Studies to enhance the development of sinology studies and access to information at VU. The Centre was established by the VU in cooperation with the National Central Library of Taiwan.

“Recent years saw the rapid development of political, social, cultural, and scientific cooperation between Taiwan and Lithuania. I can confidently say that this cooperation is based not only on shared values and views but also on friendship and love for democracy and knowledge,” says VU Rector Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas.

Under an already-in-force agreement with the National Central Library of Taiwan, the VU Library has received 500 important works of literature and audiovisual material published in Taiwan. In the near future, the collection will be expanded by a further 200 documents that the University will receive from the Taiwanese parliament. The Centre also provides access to special e-resources for researchers and students.

As all the books are in Chinese, Sinology students from the Institute of Asian and Transcultural Studies, VU Faculty of Philosophy, helped describe them. VU Rector Prof. R. Petrauskas says he is particularly pleased with this fact, which shows that the cooperation with Taiwan helps develop and strengthen sinology studies in Lithuania. All of the publications in the collection are publicly available at the open-end fund of the Taiwan Resource Centre for Chinese Studies.

“This collection will make a significant contribution to the development of sinology research opportunities and access to information at Vilnius University. The available resources allow using limited-edition scholarly works in Chinese and the development of sinology studies in Lithuania.

We are particularly pleased and proud that the Vilnius University community will have the opportunity to participate in the events organized by the Taiwan Library. We hope and understand that this cooperation is just the beginning of mutual work and knowledge building as well as improvement,” says Prof. R. Petrauskas.