Among the distinguished guests enjoying the evening were Alexander Tah-ray Yui 俞大㵢, Taiwan’s Representative in the U.S. with his wife Madame Karen Lo 羅美珍, and Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Liu Kuo-wei 劉國偉. Dr. Liu was in Washington, D.C. with a higher education recruitment delegation of presidents and vice presidents of eleven universities in Taiwan as part of the Meet Talent, Meet Taiwan initiative.

Representative Yui addressed the gathering and commended the Federation for its hard work in organizing the gala. The Lunar New Year is traditionally a time for family reunions so bringing overseas Taiwanese students together at the gala enabled them to feel the warmth of the Lunar New Year although they’re studying abroad, far from home. He mentioned to everyone that EVA Air will launch direct flights between Taipei and Washington, D.C. in June, which will further facilitate the strengthening of education and other exchanges between Taiwan and the US. 

In his address to the gathering, Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Liu Kuo-wei spoke about the government’s commitment to supporting and engaging with young people overseas. In recent years, the government has continued to provide special budgets to increase investment in higher education by supporting universities’ international recruitment of outstanding people. Its promotion of the Higher Education Talent Sustainability Development Program demonstrates the government’s commitment to deepening the internationalization of higher education, and strengthening its connections with young people overseas.

Everyone at the Lunar New Year Gala spent a delightful, heartwarming night enjoying wonderful food, and good company. A highlight of the evening for the overseas students was the raffle prize-drawing. Among the many excellent prizes were return air tickets to Taiwan provided by EVA Air and by China Airlines

The Education Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canada worked with Algonquin College to arrange their participation as interns in the TASTE project at the College’s Human-Centred Design Lab. This two-year project is a community-based research initiative to support at-risk youth—in this case young people not in employment, education or training (NEET)—by identifying the challenges they face, and practical pathways toward further study and employment. It’s part of a NEET program led by Prof Jed Looker. The project involves working directly with local NEET youth to gain a deeper understanding of their needs and perspectives and then developing suitable programs. 

Tsai Te-Jung has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in industrial design and has had several years’ experience in outreach and educational projects involving indigenous youth in Taiwan. Lin Tzu-Ming, a licensed social worker with professional experience in mental health counselling for post-secondary students, was able to contribute his expertise supporting young people navigating educational transitions, and their emotional well-being and resilience.

Lin and Tsai worked on the second phase of the TASTE project with the project team from September to December 2025. This included assisting research design, data collection, workshop planning, and hiring twelve NEET youth who would be paid to co-design six workshops scheduled to be held in Winter 2026. Bringing the first-hand experiences and perspectives of the young NEET partners into designing the workshops for their peers will help ensure that the workshops make post-secondary education a realistic and accessible option and they will be paid for their participation, giving them professional work experience.  

Their time as interns working with the TASTE project team gave Lin and Tsai practical experience with this Canadian project’s user-centered and human-centered design approaches, including the application of user experience (UX) principles in research and program development. This will be able to inform their future work with disadvantaged and high-risk youth in Taiwan and contribute to incorporating more inclusive and participatory design into approaches to education and employment support. 

You can read more about their time at Algonquin College and the TASTE project here.

The workshop attracted a wide range of students. Many were students of Asian studies, linguistics, and international relations; others were students who were simply curious about Chinese characters and East Asian culture. 

The Education Division invited two Mandarin teachers to guide the students through the very hands-on workshop. They began by explaining the basic structure and stroke order of Chinese characters and then demonstrated how to hold and control the brush and apply the ink to the paper. They also explained the meanings and significance of the characters that the students then enjoyed practicing writing, and could later take home: for example, auspicious characters such as “吉” (good fortune) and short phrases commonly seen displayed during the Lunar New Year. 

As well as the calligraphy, the workshop featured a hands-on introduction to traditional paper-cutting. The teachers explained the symbolism behind common motifs—such as flowers, animals, and geometric patterns—and guided the students through each step of cutting them out to make their own designs. This was the first time that many of the students had ever tried this traditional art form. 

During the workshop, Dr. Nicole Yen-Yi Lee, the Director of the Education Division, gave the students details about possibilities for studying in Taiwan, including programs taught in English, and scholarships such as the Taiwan Scholarships for degree courses, and the Huayu Enrichment Scholarships to study Mandarin in Taiwan, and living conditions there. The students asked many questions about Taiwan-related matters, such as student life there, safety, and opportunities for academic exchanges. 

The workshop was a great success with its interactive nature and friendly atmosphere. The students expressed delight as they wrote Chinese characters with a brush and made traditional paper-cuts, at the same time as being able to appreciate the cultural meanings behind them. More students might now consider learning Mandarin and consider Taiwan as a further study destination.

Most people in Taiwan are unfamiliar with the beauty of Paraguay, and most people in Paraguay are unfamiliar with the beauty of Taiwan, and Huang felt it was his mission to use his camera as a bridge to foster deeper cultural understanding between Taiwan and Paraguay.

Huang traveled across the country taking photographs to capture the essence of local life, and some of the work of the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF). This is dedicated to boosting socio-economic development, enhancing human resources and promoting economic relations in a range of developing partner countries, and he documented orchid cultivation and freshwater fish farming projects. 

With the support of the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Paraguay, Huang also held three photography exhibitions to showcase Taiwan’s vibrant spirit to people in Paraguay—from its lush natural landscapes to its athletic passion and colorful festivals. The first two were held in Ciudad del Este and Pilar. The final exhibition of his photography was held from February 11 to March 10 in Asunción. It was set up in the public service counter area of the Embassy, allowing local people to appreciate images of Taiwan while visiting the Embassy for official business. 

"I am deeply grateful to the MOE and the Embassy for helping me realize my dream of promoting cultural diplomacy," Huang said with a smile. After he returns to Taiwan, he plans to hold an exhibition to show people how Taiwan’s government is supporting the people of Paraguay, and to showcase the Heart of South America.

One of the young people from Taiwan has been placed as an intern in Vienna, at the headquarters of the National Network of Youth Information Centres in Austria (Bundesnetzwerk Österreichische Jugendinfos, BÖJI). Another is currently completing a placement in a youth center in Graz, and the third is splitting their time evenly between youth centers in Eisenstadt and in Mattersburg. BÖJI, founded in 2004, is the national umbrella organization for youth information services and centers throughout Austria. The youth centers prepare and disseminate youth-friendly, non-commercial information. They offer free, up-to-date, relevant, and accessible guidance to support young people’s personal development and transition to adulthood, and a wide range of activities and services to foster youth empowerment.

Personnel from the Education Division at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Austria visited the headquarters of BÖJI on January 30, 2026. They met with the intern from Taiwan, together with Mr. Aleksandar Prvulovic, the CEO of BÖJI, Ms. Alena Brunner—a project coordinator at BÖJI and the intern’s mentor, two other BÖJI mentors, and Birgit Klausser, Deputy Head of Department at the Austrian Federal Chancellery. Ms. Klausser is the designated contact person at the section of the Austrian Federal Chancellery in charge of international family and youth policy affairs.

Their discussions focused on the intern’s experiences in Austria and future cooperation within the framework of the Global Pathfinder Initiative. The intern described his experience acquiring new professional skills at BÖJI headquarters, and having opportunities to work creatively, as particularly rewarding aspects of being abroad and becoming familiar with life in a new country. A second group of Taiwanese participants is expected to arrive in the autumn of this year to take part in the program and gain professional experience at Austrian youth centers.

The Education Division looks forward to continuing to facilitate collaborative projects supported by Taiwan’s Global Pathfinder Initiative and local partner organizations, to further expand youth exchanges and international cooperation between Taiwan and Austria, and strengthen people-to-people ties.

Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Education, Dr. Liu Kuo-Wei 劉國偉, said in his opening remarks that the young generation is a driving force which can initiate change and shape the future as the world tackles challenges such as climate change, industry transition, and social inequality.

Taiwan’s government has supported youth participation in public affairs and global issues for a long time, and he said that the forum provides a platform for Taiwan’s young people to engage with their global counterparts, cultivate cross-disciplinary skills, and advocate and help bring about sustainable development and a green economy.

Among the officials who took part in the forum was Paraguay’s youngest cabinet member, Salma Agüero Caballero, Minister of the National Youth Secretariat of Paraguay. She visited Taiwan from January 2 to 4 to take part following a formal invitation issued by the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Paraguay.

More than 50% of Paraguay’s population is under the age of 30, and the country is often described as currently in a "demographic dividend" phase. The Minister praised Taiwan for providing essential education and training that empowers young people to exert greater influence on policies.

In addition to participating in the forum, Minister Agüero spent time at Liberty Square to film a video to promote the Taiwan Scholarship program to encourage young Paraguayans to study for degrees at universities in Taiwan.

She expressed her enthusiasm about promoting these opportunities to gain academic qualifications, saying that the knowledge that Paraguayan students gain in Taiwan will empower them. After they finish their studies and return home, they will be able to make significant contributions to Paraguayan society.

In the video, Minister Agüero tells them: "Taiwan offers generous scholarships for students to pursue their dreams. If you want to experience this beautiful culture and change your future, you cannot miss this opportunity." She shared the video on her personal Instagram, where it attracted more than 60,000 views in the first 24 hours—an excellent beginning.

Under the program, foreign English teaching talents work alongside local elementary and junior high school teachers through co-teaching and collaborative lesson planning. Together, they create natural, real-life English-use environments on campus, where students can practice speaking and communication skills in a supportive atmosphere that boosts their confidence. The program also contributes to the professional development of local teachers. A total of 980 foreign English teachers and full-time foreign English teaching assistants are expected to be recruited. Applicants who meet the required qualifications and hold passports from countries where English is an official or commonly used language, as recognized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), may apply starting now via the official website (https://tfetp.k12ea.gov.tw/). Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with interviews conducted selectively, until positions are filled.

To help foreign English teaching talents teach in Taiwan with peace of mind and focus fully on teaching, the K12EA provides comprehensive support measures, including salaries, airfare reimbursement, insurance coverage, housing reimbursement, and professional development programs. Additional benefits are offered based on position: foreign English teachers may receive airfare reimbursement for spouses or lineal relatives, as well as performance-based bonuses; full-time foreign English teaching assistants may receive reimbursement for professional certification programs such as TESOL, TEFL, or CELTA, along with transportation allowances. Through these comprehensive welfare and support mechanisms, foreign English teaching talents are able to focus on teaching and grow alongside their students, supported by stable living and working conditions.

Foreign teachers currently teaching in Taiwan have also shared their experiences. Yusuf, a foreign teaching adviser at Chiao Yu Elementary School in Miaoli County, noted that TFETP provides strong support and training, enabling foreign teachers to collaborate with local teachers and help students practice English in a fun and natural way. Spencer, a foreign English teacher at Zhongxing Elementary School in Penghu County, shared that, having participated in the program for many years, he believes it not only offers students more opportunities to learn everyday English, but also allows foreign teachers to gain a deeper understanding of Taiwanese culture. He encourages those interested in teaching English overseas to come to Taiwan, saying, “If you are interested in teaching English abroad and experiencing a different culture, then Taiwan is the right place for you.”

The K12EA noted that through close collaboration with local teachers, foreign English teaching talents bring English into students’ daily learning and school life—from classroom interactions and campus activities to everyday communication. In a supportive environment where students are encouraged to speak and feel confident to try, they naturally build practical English-use experience. By continuously introducing diverse cultural perspectives and teaching approaches, the program helps make English part of students’ everyday lives and nurtures the next generation with global awareness and communication skills. The K12EA sincerely invites more foreign professionals who are passionate about education to join Taiwan’s schools and contribute to meaningful and engaging teaching experiences on campus.

According to the organizers, within just one week of opening registration, related social media posts accumulated over 47,000 views. In addition to registrations from domestic teacher education professors within the field of early childhood education and frontline preschool educators, this event also attracted strong interest from overseas teacher education professors in related fields, primary and junior high school teachers, art education professionals, and many parents. This workshop brought opportunities for profound exchanges across disciplines, languages, and cultures to the domestic and international early childhood education community.

The event especially invited Dr. Joe Winston, an internationally renowned authority in drama education and Emeritus Professor of Drama and Theatre Education at the University of Warwick, United Kingdom. Before joining Warwick University, Professor Winston taught in primary and junior high schools in the United Kingdom and served as a school principal, possessing extensive frontline teaching and educational leadership experience. During his tenure as a professor at the University of Warwick, he coordinated drama and theatre education-related courses for many years and was deeply engaged in the fields of drama and second language learning. His courses enjoy high international recognition and he possesses extensive cross-national research and practical teaching experience.

During the workshops held on January 25 and 26, Professor Winston used Hans Christian Andersen’s well-known story “The Emperor’s New Clothes” to guide participants in experiencing performative language teaching activities, which utilized games, songs, chants, and drama strategies.

Additionally, in his master lecture on January 26 titled “The Aesthetics of Performative Language Teaching for Preschool Learners”, Professor Winston emphasized that language learning is not merely about memorizing vocabulary and grammar, but is an integrated learning experience that engages the body, emotions, and imagination. Through drama and play, children can naturally encounter pronunciation, vocabulary, and sentence structures in a stress-free and emotionally safe environment, which also encourages them to express themselves more confidently. Using several examples understandable to practicing teachers, Professor Winston explained the concept of performative language teaching, and introduced the metaphors of “maps” and “stories” to illustrate the significance of this pedagogy within the learning journey.

Guided by the philosophy that “Aesthetic Education Begins in Early Childhood, Lifelong Aesthetic Learning,” this event aims to challenge conventional perceptions of dramatic plays and highlights drama as one of the tools for young children’s language learning in order to enrich the diversity of early childhood classrooms. By integrating drama strategies into teaching, early childhood learners are able to use language naturally in meaningful and contextualized situations, strengthening their native language ability, while also engaging more comfortably with second languages. At the same time, this relaxed and enjoyable learning process fosters early childhood learners’ abilities in cooperation, expression, and empathy, thereby promoting Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and ultimately showcasing the fruitful outcomes of aesthetics as cross-disciplinary pathways for learning.

The MOE stated that it has long been committed to promoting aesthetic education from early childhood onwards. The MOE looks forward to extending the outcomes of this international and cross-disciplinary exchange into early childhood classrooms, and to continuing the cultivation of the next generation with aesthetic literacy, language competence, and international perspectives. For more information, ple  ase visit the Aesthetics Education Resource Integration Platform (https://aew.moe.edu.tw/)

Taiwan and Poland are two societies shaped by resilience and shared democratic values with growing ties between them. This is reflected in Taiwan’s YDA and Poland’s Centre for Youth Cooperation and Mobility signing a cooperation agreement to promote educational and cultural exchanges grounded in mutual understanding. The YDA recently expanded its Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative with a new international volunteer project in Gdynia in northern Poland, providing the Taiwanese participants with further opportunities to engage in cultural exchanges.

Three Taiwanese volunteers—Lisa Tseng, Yvonne Liu, and Yvette Yang—took part in a European Solidarity Corps project in Gdynia, from November 9 to December 12, 2025. They were welcomed to Poland by Jeff Liu 劉永健, Taiwan's Representative in Poland, and Suzen Tseng, the Director of the Education Division at the Taipei Representative Office in Poland. In Gdynia, the volunteers all worked with the St. Nicolaus Bishop Association, supporting educators working with children and young people. The volunteers collaborated closely with other European volunteers throughout the program, gaining meaningful experience in international service and cultural diplomacy, and showcasing Taiwan’s spirit of openness.

One of the highlights for Lisa, Yvonne, and Yvette was their holding lively Taiwan Workshops in local schools that created a vibrant “Taiwan wind” in the community. They introduced Taiwan’s culture and history and played traditional night-market games such as Asian dart kick with the Polish students. They also shared some authentic Taiwanese bubble tea.

YDA continues to be committed to empowering young people to engage globally, promote mutual understanding, and contribute to Taiwan’s international presence through volunteering.

The keynote presentations were given by the two scholars: Professor Hong Jia-Fei 洪嘉馡, Associate Dean of the College of International Studies and Social Sciences and Chair of the Department of Chinese as a Second Language at National Taiwan Normal University, and Assistant Professor Chang Yu-Hsin 張于忻, Director of the ASEAN and Overseas Chinese Affairs Research Center at the University of Taipei. Professor Hong spoke about bringing a wide range of approaches to curriculum design, and how AI and digital technologies can be integrated into teaching Mandarin, sharing her practical innovative ideas.

Mandarin educators play a vital role in cultural exchange and language education across the region. This event celebrated their passion and commitment, and the keynote presentations on innovative approaches to Mandarin curriculum design inspired the participants and fostered more collaboration and networking.

The test was organized by the Ministry and National Taiwan Normal University, and implemented by the Washington D.C. Taiwanese School, with coordination assistance from the Education Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States. It was held at the Universities at Shady Grove in Maryland at 9 a.m. local time. 

Twenty-five people, primarily teachers and students from the Washington D.C. Taiwanese School, registered to sit for the computer-based Version A test, which encompassed the Foundation and Basic levels. This was the first time that this certification test has been held outside Taiwan but all the test procedures, including the system checks, room setup, and invigilation, were conducted using the standardized protocols used in Taiwan. 

The testing proceeded very smoothly, with all the equipment working well, and an enthusiastic response from the test takers. The successful candidates will receive an official certificate issued by the Ministry, which will be sent to the Washington D.C. Taiwanese School for onward delivery.

The introduction of the Taiwanese Taigi Language Proficiency Test to the United States represents a significant step in supporting heritage language learning and multicultural education in overseas communities, and strengthening cultural connections with the younger generation. The Ministry is working to enable more people interested in Taiwan’s languages and culture to engage with, learn, and use Taiwanese Taigi Language. Feedback and the results from this first test held outside Taiwan will serve as a valuable reference for the Ministry when assessing the feasibility of expanding Taiwanese Taigi language proficiency certification testing to additional overseas locations in the future.

The goals of the expo were to support individuals who want to “apply Chinese language skills in the workplace” and “pursue international career paths” and to raise awareness of the TOCFL certificates. Dr. Chen Po-Hsi 陳柏熹, Executive Director of SC-TOP, traveled to Japan to attend the expo. In his opening remarks, he expressed hope that the expo would help Mandarin speakers unlock new professional opportunities. Awareness of the importance of having employees with Chinese proficiency is continuing to grow in Japan, and many of the company representatives said that the demand of companies in Japan for people is rapidly increasing. Huang Guan-Chao, Director of the Education Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan, pointed out that in recent years people in Taiwan have made more than six and a half million visits to Japan.   

The expo venue was very lively to help further promote interest in learning Mandarin. As well as providing information about TOCFL and opportunities for job-seekers to speak with company representatives, there were hands-on DIY activities with distinctive Taiwanese characteristics, popular Taiwanese snacks to try, and some night-market-style ring toss games that created a cheerful atmosphere for everyone to enjoy. 

In October 2025, a group of 23 teachers from schools at a range of levels travelled to Austria and the Czech Republic as part of the Ministry of Education's 2025 International Visiting Program for Aesthetic Education Teachers. The group began their visit in Vienna, giving them an opportunity to experience the city’s rich cultural diversity while learning about the Austrian education system and the approaches used to teach creative subjects. The Education Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vienna, coordinated two school visits for the group, with the support of the Vienna Board of Education, and Dr. Elisa Hsiang-Yueh Wang, Director of the Education Division had the pleasure of accompanying the group on these school visits, and facilitating discussions and interactions between the educators from Taiwan and those in Austria.

On October 14, Ms. Romy Höltzer from the European Office of the Vienna Board of Education—the office responsible for coordinating international activities—gave them a comprehensive outline of the Austrian education system before the group visited OVS Kaisermühlen, a primary school with a strong bilingual German–English curriculum which encourages creativity in the classroom in visual arts and hands-on craft activities. A teacher at the school told the visiting teachers about the school’s daily operations and how these put emphasis on the role of diversity and intercultural exchanges—this is especially appropriate given that the school is located close to the United Nations headquarters. The group then had an opportunity to observe a number of classroom lessons, giving them a direct impression of the teaching environment and the positive, respectful interactions between teachers and students.

On the following day, the group visited BORG Hegelgasse, an upper secondary school in central Vienna which specializes in offering art and music education in a range of creative areas. The school principal Mr. Thomas Grubhofer welcomed the visiting teachers in the assembly hall and explained the school’s educational philosophy and how the school encourages artistic expression and independent thinking. The students can select to focus on photography, visual design, drama, or music, and then develop their artistic skills in their selected learning area in depth.  

The group then observed art, choir, and drama classes to see how activities that nurture art-related learning are integrated into everyday teaching. The teachers particularly valued the interactions they were able to have with the teachers and students at BORG Hegelgasse. With the assistance of Dr. Elisa Hsiang-Yueh Wang they were able to generously share details of their daily school life and current projects. In this school also, the warm and trusting atmosphere between the teachers and students left a strong impression. The visit concluded in the school’s assembly hall with a mutual exchange of impressions and reflections about aesthetic education. 

Another group of teachers is scheduled to visit Austria in early November as part of the 2025 International Visiting Program for Aesthetic Education Teachers to further enhance aesthetic education exchanges between educators in Taiwan and Austria and help those working in art education to broaden their understanding of creative thought and teaching aesthetics,  and their global outlook. The Education Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vienna is pleased to witness the strong mutual interest in these exchange visits and looks forward to continuing to assist in advancing cross-border engagement in aesthetic education.

Students and academic staff at universities in Northern Vietnam are aware of the quality of Taiwan's higher education, and more than 200 Vietnamese students and academic staff attended the presentations about the INTENSE Program. Among the dignitaries attending the ceremony opening before the presentations began were Yi Min Lin 林易民, Deputy Representative of Taiwan at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vietnam (TECO), staff members of the Education Division at TECO. Deputy Representative Lin gave opening remarks in which he spoke about the high-quality of Taiwan's higher education environment and education system, and the distinctive features of the INTENSE Program. He encouraged the Vietnamese students to apply to do further study in Taiwan and expressed hope that this visit by the delegation would help foster more exchanges and collaboration between universities in Taiwan and universities in Vietnam.

Staff from the INTENSE Office and representatives of eight universities in Taiwan each spoke, giving an in-depth overview of the INTENSE program, the application process, and the wide range of course offerings. Each university also set up a booth and provided consultations with students, and the students responded with enthusiasm. They were very interested in the INTENSE program, asking many questions, and then took advantage of the opportunity to visit the different university booths for more information about the different courses available.

A Learn Mandarin in Taiwan Pavilion set up for the ACTFL Conference was jointly opened by Prof. Tzu-Bin Lin, Executive Director of FICHET, Dr. Kuan Fang-Fang 關芳芳, Deputy Executive Director of FICHET; Ingrid Larson, Managing Director of the American Institute in Taiwan Washington Headquarters; Antonio Chen 陳育仁, Deputy Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Houston; Andrea Yang 楊淑雅, Director of the Education Division of TECO in Houston; Dr. Tony Kuo 郭壽旺, Vice President for International and Cross-Strait Affairs at Shih Chien University; Prof. Lin Shu-tan 林淑丹, Vice President of Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages; and the directors of the Education Divisions in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington D.C. 

The Learn Mandarin in Taiwan Pavilion showcased Taiwan’s strengths in blending Taiwan’s rich cultural heritage with innovative Mandarin teaching and learning. The National Palace Museum and the National Center for Traditional Arts were represented in the pavilion, and the participating universities showcased a wide range of Mandarin programs. The Pavilion attracted many language education professionals who were interested in discussing possibilities for language teaching-related cooperation with universities in Taiwan.

A U.S.–Taiwan Mandarin Education Symposium was held in conjunction with the conference on November 21 at the Loews New Orleans Hotel. The distinguished guests included Ragini Gupta, Director for Press and Public Diplomacy of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs; Ingrid Larson; Sharon Hsieh from AIT; Antonio Chen, Andrea Yang, and Elissa Chung from TECO in Houston; Sophie Chou 周慧宜, Director of the Education Division at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S. (TECRO); Melissa Monroe, President of the National Council of State Supervisors for Languages; Dr. Marguerite Giguette, Provost of Xavier University of Louisiana; Dr. Tony Kuo; and Dr. Yeh Yao-Yuan 葉耀元, from the University of St. Thomas. 

Ragini Gupta gave the opening remarks and spoke about some of the many achievements of the U.S.–Taiwan Education Initiative since it was launched with the signing of an MOU in December 2020. Dr. Marguerite Giguette, Education Division Director Sophie Chou, and Dr. Tony Kuo each spoke about current collaborations between Taiwan and the U.S. advancing in Mandarin learning, and about the successful implementation of the Taiwan Huayu BEST Program in universities and colleges across the United States. This program has already facilitated partnerships between 23 Taiwanese universities and 79 American universities, and seven Mandarin Learning Centers that can provide structured instructional support and teacher training have been established in the United States.

In the evening, more than 100 language education professionals, researchers, and officials from around the world were welcomed to a Taiwan Night networking dinner. A renowned Taiwanese folk-dance troupe performed a contemporary fusion of traditional ritual dance, deity procession in hip-hop style, and an interactive Eight Generals performance, giving the guests a taste of Taiwan’s culture. It reflected the Learn Mandarin in Taiwan Pavilion’s presentation of Taiwan offering an integrated learning experience that connects language and culture. 

With the dedicated efforts of government, educational institutions, officials, and educators, Taiwan is continuing to be an important Mandarin language education partner for the United States.

The three parties renewed this initial MOU in a virtual signing ceremony held on November 7, 2025, reaffirming their shared commitment to contribute positively to the strengthening of education and learning-related connections between Taiwan and the State of Alabama.  

The renewed MOU was signed by Dr. Yu-Jiuan Lee 李毓娟, Director General of the Ministry of Education’s Department of International and Cross-strait Education, Dr. James Purcell, Executive Director of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, and Dr. Eric Mackey, State Superintendent of Education of the Alabama State Department of Education, and by Representative Alexander Yui from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S. as a witness. Jared Lin 林主恩, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta and Meesoon Han, Executive Director of the Alabama International Education and Economic Partnership also attended the ceremony virtually.

After the signing Director-General Lee spoke about the long-term vision supporting educational collaboration between Taiwan and the State of Alabama, saying that this renewal of the MOU will continue cooperation that supports educational excellence and global engagement. She gave two examples of cooperative interaction already underway. Auburn University in Alabama and National Cheng Kung University are partners under the Huayu BEST Program. This provides language learning funding support for language teacher exchanges, online learning resources for the entire university community, Mandarin language proficiency tests, and opportunities for students to access Huayu BEST scholarships to come to Taiwan on an educational exchange. The second example was Taiwan’s TOCFL—the Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language—being recognized by the Alabama State Department of Education as evidence of language proficiency, for senior secondary students to be awarded the Seal of Biliteracy.

Alexander Yui, Taiwan’s Representative in the US cited another example: four young people from Taiwan are currently participating in the Alabama International Education and Economic Partnership Program—an organization that helps support multilingual and multicultural education—under the Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative. 

Maintaining and enhancing bilateral cooperation in educational matters will offer benefits to students, teachers, and local communities. The renewed MOU is aligned with the goals of the U.S.–Taiwan Education Initiative. Taiwan can, for example, provide Mandarin teaching resources for the students learning Mandarin at kindergartens, elementary and high schools, and universities. 

Taiwan’s Ministry of Education looks forward to working closely with the State of Alabama to help nurture globally minded students, promote mutual understanding and youth mobility, and enhance education at all levels in the years ahead

The 2025 Award Ceremony and Achievement Presentation for the 2025 International Design Competition (IDC) organized by the Ministry of Education (MOE) is taking place today, December 19. This year, a total of 193 entries passed the review process, resulting in 1 Grand Award, 1 Gold Award, 5 Silver Awards, 10 Bronze Awards, and 176 Outstanding Awards and Finalist Awards. The students demonstrated remarkable performance and earned strong recognition in international competitions. The ceremony will also invite several award-winning students to share their experiences and engage with the public.

The IDC covers a total of 59 international competitions, with awards divided into seven categories, including General Design, Product Design, Visual Communication Design, Digital Animation, Craft Design, Architecture and Landscape Design, and Fashion Design. Since its launch in 2006, it has engaged with 65 participating schools and has recognized a total of 2,094 award-winning entries.

The winners of the 2025 awards in each category include:

Product Design: Lin Shao-Yu and Chiang Chia-Yin, students from the Department of Design at the College of Design of the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, created the work “ECOTRAPOD”. This work is an eco-friendly tetrapod made from recycled oyster shells. By using a circular slurry instead of cement, it can reduce 30–90% of carbon emissions. Its lightweight yet robust gyroid structure provides habitats for marine life and integrates ecology, functionality, and aesthetics, achieving marine sustainability. This work also received the Student Product of the Year Award at the 2024 Architecture MasterPrize (AMP) and earned the Third-class Grand Award in the IDC.

Product Design: Lin Zi-Ting and Hsu Yi-Chen, graduate students from the Department of Industrial Design at the College of Planning and Design of National Cheng Kung University, created the work "Hoo!". This work is an innovative articulation teaching tool designed specifically for speech-language therapists. Through engaging in blowing-based interactive games, it aims to strengthen fundamental oral motor skills. By integrating stories, cardboard boxes, and electronic circuits, it provides children with a new interactive experience that helps improve articulation disorders and unclear pronunciation, while supporting their future language development. This work also received the Gold Award at the 2025 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) and earned the First-class Gold Award in the IDC.

Visual Communication Design: Chen Yu-Jie, Yang Yu-Zhen, Chen Ya-Chi, and Lin Chong-Min, students from the Department of Visual Communication Design at the College of Planning and Design of the China University of Technology, created the work “Butterfly Sustainability”. This work uses paper, color, and interactive design to recreate the postures and colors of endemic butterflies in the Republic of China (the R.O.C., Taiwan), offering an alternative to physical specimen collection and reducing ecological impact. By integrating three-dimensional paper sculptures, color chip cards, and NFC technology, it delivers the harmony of nature and design, evoking the public’s memories and concern for local species. This work also received the Silver Award at the 2025 New York Art Directors Club Annual Awards (ADC) and earned the First-class Silver Award in the IDC.

Fashion Design: Wu Chih-Yao, a student from the Department of Fashion Design at the College of Design of Shih Chien University, created the fashion work “Nirvana”. Inspired by the Buddhist concept that “all is emptiness,” this work emphasizes that “emptiness” does not mean nothingness, but a transcendent state achieved through refinement, which is incorporated as a core element in the fashion design. Through bold design techniques and expressive uses of color, this work conveys the concept that eliminating greed, anger, and ignorance alleviates suffering and annoyance, allowing one to transcend the six realms of existence and achieve ultimate freedom. This work also received Second Place at the 2025 iD International Emerging Designer Awards and earned the First-class Silver Award in the IDC.

Craft Design: Su Yen-Ying, a graduate student from the Department of Craft and Design at the College of Design of the National Taiwan University of Arts, created the ceramic art work “SUGAR CAGE”. This work is inspired by the idea that in modern society, people are often consumed by desire. It expresses that sweets are a comfort to escape suffering, and can also become inescapable shackles. The shackles are shaped like donuts, symbolizing how people can become bound in the pursuit of pleasure. This work also received the Silver Medal at the 2025 International Competition of Contemporary Ceramic Art and earned the First-class Silver Award in the IDC.

Digital Animation: Peng Wan-Qi, a graduate student from the Department of Arts and Creative Industries at the College of Arts of National Dong Hwa University, created the animation work “EXHIBITION”. Centered on an inner confession, the work examines whether revisiting past works in the mind can lead to a deeper journey into the self. It reflects a continual self-examination between inner thoughts and the external world, uncovering overlooked emotions and attempting to find ways to confront negative feelings. This work also received the Bronze Cube at the 2025 New York Art Directors Club Annual Awards (ADC) and earned the First-class Bronze Award in the IDC.

Architecture and Landscape Design: Chen Yu-Han, a graduate student from the Department of Interior Design at the College of Creative Design of Asia University, created the interior design work “Tao.yi”. Inspired by the process of pottery making, this work transforms the manufacture of ceramics into spatial language, extending them into tea tasting utensils and architectural spaces. It guides people to savor the original simplistic beauty through the tranquility of tea rituals, providing a serene space for reconnecting with one’s inner self and nature after excessive material pursuits. This work also received the Bronze Award at the 2024 ISARCH Award and earned the Second-class Bronze Award in the IDC.

The full list of winners has been published on the official website of the IDC held by the MOE, at https://www.moe-idc.org/. In addition to the works being exhibited on Friday, December 19, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the National Central Library (No. 20, Zhongshan South Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City 100). Many outstanding emerging designers will also be present to showcase their works and interact with visitors. Everyone is warmly invited to visit.

The Base will offer preparatory Chinese courses, academic exchange platforms, and resources for international cooperation, which will all assist more Filipino students to undertake higher education and work in Taiwan. It will also facilitate collaboration between universities in Taiwan and in the Philippines, as part of the Ministry of Education’s International Industrial Talents Education Special Program—the INTENSE program. This program, which integrates resources from the government, industry, and partner universities, is designed to expand the recruitment of international students to Taiwan to study and then work after graduation.

The launch ceremony was accompanied by the opening of an exhibition about the INTENSE program designed to give university students information about the program. They could visit the booths of participating universities in Taiwan and speak with university representatives about opportunities for advanced academic training and then working in an associated industry.

Dr. Desiderio Apam III, one of the four Commissioners of CHED—the Commission on Higher Education; Taiwan's Deputy Representative in the Philippines Dustin Yang 楊登仕 ; Dr. Lora Yusei, Director IV of CHED Regional Office III; Dr. Toed San Andres, president of Bulacan State University; Dr. Chan Fuh-Jyh詹富智, president of National Chung Hsing University; Dr. Jywe Wen-Yuh 覺文郁, director of the INTENSE program, and high-ranking officials from universities in Taiwan and from universities in the Philippines were among the dignitaries who attended.

Deputy Representative Dustin Yang spoke at the launch ceremony about the significance of the INTENSE program scholarships: these provide Filipino students with access to world-class education, practical training, and opportunities for employment in Taiwan’s advanced industries, particularly in STEM, finance, and semiconductor fields. He pointed out that the program equips students with essential skills, hands-on experience, and global perspectives. It prepares them for careers in a competitive job market, and they can choose between employment in Taiwan or returning to the Philippines with valuable skills and experience. He also confirmed Taiwan’s ongoing commitment to continuing the other scholarship programs that Filipino students can apply for.

The establishment of the INTACT Base – Philippines and the INTENSE program opportunities presented in the exhibition are both a testament to the transformative educational cooperation underway between Taiwan and the Philippines. This cooperation is creating more opportunities for students, fostering global skills and competencies, and strengthening long-term academic and industrial partnerships.

The September 27 session held at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) attracted almost 100 young people. The Thai science and technology students there are extremely interested in innovative science, technology, and engineering and the session focused on related study opportunities in Taiwan. Ms. Hsueh Yi-Han 薛懿含, Second Secretary of the Education Division, gave the opening remarks. She thanked the co-organizers for their strong support and told the attendees that she hoped the session would give them valuable information about Taiwan’s world-class education, academic programs, vibrant campus life, diverse culture, and everyday life there. She encouraged them to apply for the different scholarships available to study in Taiwan.

Ms. Jaruwan Jaranupong, Director of the Taiwan Education Center in Thailand, then provided details of the eligibility criteria for a range of scholarships, and the application procedures and documents required. She was followed by two former recipients of a Huayu Enrichment Scholarship to study Mandarin, and then a Ministry of Education Taiwan Scholarship to undertake a degree program, who talked about their experiences as students in Taiwan. Two participants in the TEEP—Taiwan Experience Education Program—then talked about their experiences doing internships in the fields of information systems and applications, robotics, and computer science. All five speakers sparked great interest from the STEM students attending the session and many questions were asked.

The last session, held next day at the Chinese Association in Thailand, also provided the participants with a lot of information about a range of scholarships available, including the Ministry of Education Taiwan Scholarships and Huayu Enrichment Scholarships, the Taiwan ICDF scholarships, and scholarships offered by individual universities. It attracted more than 70 participants. In contrast to the previous day’s participants, most had a strong interest in further study in the fields of the humanities and social sciences, learning Mandarin, cultural studies, human resources development, or international management. 

All the 2025 Study in Taiwan Information Sessions gave the participating students practical information about Taiwan’s high-quality higher education system and scholarships, and first-hand reports about its welcoming learning environment. 

JICE maintains close ties with the Japanese government and it regularly conducts international training and exchange programs commissioned by the Japanese government, for human resource development to strengthen friendly relations between Japan and other countries. This project was the first collaboration between JICE and Taiwan’s Ministry of Education Youth Development Administration.

The eight young people took part in a training program at JICE. The program included internship experiences in JICE’s International Exchange Department, interactions with young Japanese people, and field studies of disaster recovery in Fukushima Prefecture. In 2011 Fukushima was devastated by the world’s 4th largest recorded earthquake, known in Japan as the Great East Japan Earthquake, and the visiting young people from Taiwan were taken to the region to learn about its subsequent recovery and reconstruction efforts.

The participants shared their insights and reflections following their trip to Fukushima at a presentation session at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan on October 31. They were deeply moved by the determination and perseverance of the residents of Fukushima who were collectively rebuilding their communities, and they gained a profound understanding of the merciless and devastating nature of disasters. The experience had highlighted the importance of disaster preparedness and evacuation planning in daily life.

The participants expressed their great gratitude to the Youth Development Administration for providing this valuable opportunity. They drew inspiration from what they saw of Japan’s post-disaster reconstruction and disaster prevention measures. And after returning to Taiwan, they plan to talk widely about their experiences in Japan and the insights they gained, and to work together to make Taiwan a safe, sustainable, and better homeland.