Date :
2026-03-31
Department :
International Master’s Program of Applied Economics and Social Development
The International Master’s Program of Applied Economics and Social Development (IMES) at the College of Social Sciences, National Chengchi University, hosted the 2026 International Symposium on Applied Economics on March 27. The symposium brought together nine young scholars from five countries and nine leading universities to present their latest research. Since its launch in 2024, IMES has organized this annual event each March to serve as a key platform for young applied economists in the Asia-Pacific region, while enhancing the program’s international visibility and academic influence in the field of applied economics.
This year’s symposium featured a distinguished group of participants. Six scholars were from prominent overseas institutions, including Monash University, Osaka University, Hitotsubashi University, Singapore Management University, University of Ulsan, and the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade. The remaining three participants were based in Taiwan, representing National Tsing Hua University, National Taipei University, and National Chengchi University. Together, they showcased the diversity and depth of both international and domestic academic exchange.
The research presented at the symposium covered a wide range of applied economics topics, including wages and labor markets, educational investment, admission systems, newborn health, social welfare policies, high-speed rail and traffic congestion, financial markets, housing markets, and air pollution. Despite the diversity of topics, all studies were grounded in rigorous empirical analysis, with data and econometric methods serving as a common language that facilitated cross-disciplinary dialogue. Notably, several international scholars traveled to Taipei at their own expense to attend the symposium, underscoring their strong commitment to academic exchange and contributing to the vibrant and in-depth discussions throughout the event.
Among the participants was Chien-Tzu Cheng of Osaka University, an NCCU alumna who played a key role behind the scenes by recommending several outstanding international scholars to participate. Kazuki Motohashi from Hitotsubashi University commented after the symposium that such small-scale forums allow each presenter to receive substantial and constructive feedback, while also encouraging active engagement from all participants—an advantage not easily achieved in large conferences. He also expressed his intention to recommend more young scholars from Hitotsubashi University for future editions of the symposium. Yu-Ju Chan, Assistant Professor at NCCU, shared similar reflections, noting his admiration for the strong theoretical foundations underpinning many of the empirical studies presented, and emphasizing the importance of further integrating theory with empirical work in future research.
As one of the few fully English-taught graduate programs in applied economics in Taiwan, IMES is committed to strengthening students’ data analysis capabilities while actively expanding its faculty’s international research networks. Through this annual symposium, both faculty and students gain valuable opportunities to engage closely with emerging international scholars and stay at the forefront of empirical research and methodological developments. Now in its third year, the International Symposium on Applied Economics continues to grow in scale and impact, with the long-term vision of becoming a premier academic platform for young applied economists across the Asia-Pacific region.