However, for the teaching of Arabic language, the course has been available at the National Chengchi University in Taipei since 1957 under the Department of Arabic Language and Culture under the College of Foreign Language and Literature.[51] Due to the growing importance of Arab nations in the aspect of cultures, politics and economics of the world, the ROC government authorized the Department of Arabic Language and Culture to be independent, making it equal to the Department of Oriental Languages and Cultures within the university.[52] The department also has partner universities with the Kuwait University, University of Jordan and King Saud University.[53] The department, in collaboration with the Center for the Study of Islamic Civilization and Thoughts, held an international conference entitled 'The Middle East and Islam' on 15 May 2009 at the university with the theme 'Middle East and Islam in the 21st Century: Past, Present and Future'.[54]