The Education Division of Taipei Representative Office in France Holds National Day Reception for Taiwanese Students in Lyon
The Education Division of the Taipei Representative Office in France (BRTF) organized a reception for Taiwanese students in Lyon to celebrate the National Day of Taiwan (Republic of China). Representative Dr. François Chih-Chung Wu, Dr. Chang Chung-Pai, director of the Science and Technology Division, Ms. Hu Ching-Fang, director of the Taiwan Cultural Center in Paris, Ms. Hsu Lih-Tien, secretary of the Education Division, personnel from the Economic Division, and the Political Division in Paris, and personnel from the Annex Representative Office in Aix-en-Provence, and three Mandarin teachers Ms. Liu Chun-Ya, Ms. Hsu Ya-Wen, and Ms. Chiang Hui-Chu, also attended. Only 37 students took part in this year’s reception—in contrast to an average of more than 60 in normal pre-pandemic times—but it was a very convivial social gathering.
Representative Wu made the opening remarks, welcoming everyone and encouraging the students to be optimistic about the future. Despite being impacted by the pandemic, Taiwan is continuing to maintain its growth momentum and is playing an increasingly important role in the world’s economy, technology, regional politics, and public health. Representative Wu, hoped that the Taiwanese students will do their best to enhance Taiwan’s standing in the international community.
Ms. Hsu, the secretary of the Education Division, then gave the students some useful information. The Education Division’s website has been largely updated and she invited them to visit it. She assured the students that if they have any emergency, they can contact the Education Division, and students living in the south of France can contact the newly opened Annex Office in Aix-en-Provence. The Economic Division then introduced Contact Taiwan, a Ministry of Economic Affairs program designed to attract overseas Taiwanese to return to Taiwan and contribute their expertise and knowledge.
A student introduced a newly created Facebook group for Taiwanese students living in Lyon to keep in touch and share information, and the three Mandarin teachers spoke about their experiences encouraging Mandarin learning in France. The Education Division also introduced International Exchange Window (IEW), a platform developed by the Ministry of Education for teachers around the world to share their experiences and thoughts. It was an excellent occasion, cheerful and very informative.