International Master‵s Program of Applied Economics and Social Development

The International Master’s Program of Applied Economics and Social Development (IMES) at National Chengchi University (NCCU) hosted AmCham Taiwan President Carl Wegner for a guest lecture on November 7, 2025 (Friday) at the College of Social Sciences. His talk, titled “The Role of Consortiums in Blockchain: Effective for Solving Collaborative Problems but Misaligned with Venture Capital Investment Models,” explored the evolving role of blockchain consortiums in addressing real-world business challenges.

With extensive professional experience in finance, fintech, and international business, President Wegner offered valuable insights into the intersection of technology, collaboration, and investment strategy. The session was moderated by Adjunct Assistant Professor Colin Cheng of IMES and drew strong attendance from faculty and students across NCCU who are passionate about blockchain and fintech innovation.

In his lecture, Wegner emphasized the crucial role of blockchain technology in inter-organizational collaboration, data sharing, and industry standardization. He discussed how different business models align—or fail to align—with venture capital expectations and presented multiple international case studies. Through these examples, students gained a concrete understanding of the challenges businesses face in balancing regulatory compliance, trade secrets, and innovation speed as blockchain technologies move from concept to large-scale implementation. The talk provided IMES students with a rare opportunity to connect classroom theory with real-world industry applications and global capital market dynamics.

As Wegner highlighted, fintech and the digital economy are at the heart of today’s global development trends. They play a key role not only in promoting sustainable economic growth but also in driving social innovation. Reflecting this spirit, IMES—the world’s only English-taught master’s program combining applied economics and social development—actively integrates fintech and digital economy themes into its interdisciplinary curriculum, emphasizing both data analytics and social impact.

Among these courses, the English-taught “Blockchain and Digital Assets” class has become one of the most popular at NCCU, attracting both IMES students and international exchange participants. The course covers the technical foundations, business models, and regulatory frameworks of digital assets, guiding students through concepts such as stablecoins, tokenized assets, and decentralized finance (DeFi). Through collaboration with ACAMS, the course also supports students in obtaining professional certifications such as the Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), strengthening the connection between academic learning and professional advancement.

IMES believes that modern higher education should cultivate professionals who can balance economic efficiency with social value creation. The program’s acronym itself encapsulates this mission—“IMPACT on ECONOMIC and SOCIAL VALUES”—signifying its commitment to generating real-world impact on both economic and social fronts.

In recent years, IMES has seen a growing number of international students, particularly from Europe and the United States, reflecting its rising global visibility. At the same time, IMES welcomes more outstanding Taiwanese students to recognize its unique advantages over traditional programs, such as international mobility, cross-disciplinary learning, and innovative course design.

Applications for the 2026 Fall intake are now open. Students interested in data analytics, social innovation, fintech, and sustainable development are encouraged to apply and join an international learning environment that bridges theory and practice to cultivate globally minded professionals.

For more information on admissions and upcoming events, please visit the official IMES website and social media pages.