First Delegation of Indian School Heads to visit Taiwan
A delegation of twenty principals and seven representatives of Indian schools visited Taiwan on a 6-day historical learning tour between May 20 and May 25. This first-ever such visit was supported by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education and by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre in New Delhi. The purpose of the visit was to foster international collaboration and for the delegation to explore Taiwan’s educational pedagogy related to global learning experiences.
The itinerary for the visitors was organized by the Education Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) in India. It was designed to allow the delegation to experience Taiwan’s dynamic education system during their stay in Taiwan. In particular they observed how Taiwan has effectively mainstreamed vocational education and the training of entrepreneurs, and the effective use of technology in education that are hallmarks of Taiwan’s education system.
The delegation visited the Ministry of Education, and partner schools in different parts of Taiwan including Taipei Municipal Wenhua Elementary School, Wen-Hua Senior High School in Taichung, and National Puli Industrial Vocational High School, and engaged in fruitful exchanges.
At the schools, they attended presentation sessions, observed classroom teaching, and engaged in discussions with the teachers and also the students, giving them valuable insights into Taiwan’s student-centered approach. The delegation also visited prominent cultural institutions, such as the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology, the National Palace Museum, and Kaohsiung Public Library.
A memorandum of understanding signed between schools in India and in Taiwan has strengthened the educational ties between India and Taiwan, and this visit and the cross-cultural exchanges have laid the foundation for further long-lasting collaborations.
The delegation attended a thanksgiving ceremony held on May 31, at Hotel Shangri-La Eros in New Delhi. Mr. Chen Li-ying, the Director of the Education Division of the TECC in India, spoke at the ceremony, saying, “This visit was a grand success and a milestone that has helped strengthen the ties between India and Taiwan in the field of education. The delegation returned to India with a renewed vision and determination to implement the knowledge and insight they gained from this educational tour.”