School of Nursing: Connections

International doctoral graduate returns with students

Shujen Shiau

Dr. Shujen Shiau, director and professor of the School of Nursing at National Taiwan University (NTU), made a return visit this past summer to the UW School of Nursing. She obtained her doctoral degree here in 1989. Along with a group of nursing students from her native country, Shiau participated in current research programs at the School and attended classes. The students who accompanied her are pursuing doctoral studies at NTU in a program Shiau developed as a result of her experiences here.

"The students were impressed with the outstanding quality of the research programs: systematic, longitudinal, collaborative, and therapeutic, and by the professors’ enthusiastic, caring, generous attitude toward mentoring," Shiau commented. As a result of their visit, she said that NTU would develop "an advanced cooperative program in the future based on this experience. For example, taking courses, participating in longer research activities, forming joint research committees, or exchanging activities."

After graduating from the UW, Shiau returned to Taiwan, where she currently serves as associate dean for the College of Medicine at Fu-Zen Catholic University in addition to her teaching and administrative duties at the NTU School of Nursing. She also is involved in many other professional roles that greatly impact research development and national health policy in Taiwan.

"The Ph.D. program at the UW strengthened my competence and competitiveness in my professional field, not just the knowledge," Shiau observed. "It enriched my life to serve the world."

Return to Winter 1999 Headlines