NTNU Garners Top Honors for International Student Support
NTNU received recognition for excellence in advising university-level international student at an award ceremony held by the Ministry of Education (MOE) on December 7, 2023. Along with National Taiwan University, NTNU was among only two universities nationally to receive this accolade this year.
In addition, Chia-Chien Tsai, a student advisor at NTNU's Office of International Affairs (OIA), was among twelve advisors nationwide to receive recognition for her outstanding work in providing counsel to international students.
The two awards affirmed NTNU’s efforts in the caliber of care and counseling provided to international students.
NTNU President Cheng-Yi Wu expressed gratitude for the recognition bestowed by the MOE. He reiterated the university’s commitment to internationalization as a benchmark university in international student counseling.
OIA Director Yide Liu accepted the “Outstanding University” award on behalf of NTNU from Deputy Minister of Education, Meng-Chi Liu, at the award ceremony for Outstanding Universities, Individuals, and Senior Staff in International Student Guidance Work among Colleges and Universities.
“Over the years, NTNU has been dedicated in helping to integrate international students into Taiwanese culture,” he said. “In terms of learning, NTNU provides free Mandarin classes, academic counseling, career and employment planning resources, various scholarships, club subsidies, and part-time work opportunities.”
Director Liu also noted that the university provides resources to support students' physical and mental wellbeing. “The university has established emergency response and insurance networks as well as dedicated tutors and dormitory staff who guide and care for international students. We offer comprehensive psychological counseling that support students in their social and academic lives,” he said.
Throughout the academic year, NTNU hosts various multicultural activities, ranging from large-scale gatherings like the International Cultural Festival, Christmas party, Lunar New Year's Eve dinner, and welcoming and farewell events; to smaller events like the cultural lecture series, hands-on craft workshops, and cultural sharing sessions. Close to 60 such events have been held over the past three years, with over 8,000 international students participating.
“NTNU will continue to create a welcoming and diverse international campus through soft powers like language, culture, peer interaction, and the campus environment. More resources will be allocated to career guidance for international students seeking employment in Taiwan after graduation.”
Student advisor Chia-Chien Tsai at the Office of International Affairs was a dual recipient of the Outstanding Advisor Award from the MOE, as well as the International Chinese Affairs Council's “2023 Outstanding International Student Advisor Award.”
“Taking care of these students is challenging,” Tsai said. “Being away from home, international students in Taiwan experience a range of emotions, whether academic, relational, work-related, or homesickness. Beyond providing care and understanding, my priority is to ensure these students feel valued.”