Cross-National Youth Exchange Program:NTNU Pilots NTU System to Expand Educational Diplomacy
National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU), along with National Taiwan University (NTU) and National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST), formed a delegation of outstanding students to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from November 10th to 17th, 2024. The delegation was led by Prof. Greg Lee, former Executive Vice President of NTNU and a professor in the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering. The itinerary included a visit to the University of Sharjah, as well as exchanges with university students and young professionals from various industries in the UAE. Notably, the delegation was hosted by His Highness Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Ali Al Nuaimi of Ajman in the United Arab Emirates, which added significant importance to the trip in terms of international exchanges.
Multi-party collaboration
The visit was organized by His Highness Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Ali Al Nuaimi. NTNU was responsible for coordinating and executing the selection of students from the National Taiwan University System (NTU System), which is an alliance of the three top universities in Taiwan: NTU, NTNU, and NTUST. The visit focused on four core issues: environmental sustainability, leadership development, technological innovation, and cultural exchange. The itinerary covered a wide range of exchanges among industry, government, and academia, including visits to museums, local universities, and innovation parks, as well as in-depth interactions with local families.
At the pre-departure briefing, Kwun-Min Chen, Executive Vice President of NTNU, expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their trust in and commission to NTNU. He expressed his hope that the students would gain a rich experience in academic and cultural exchanges through this visit. Prof. Greg Lee, the leader of the delegation, also mentioned that the number of applicants far exceeded expectations and that the selection process was fiercely competitive, which fully demonstrated the enthusiasm and capabilities of the students from the NTU System.
Diversified activities to broaden horizons
The delegation had a colorful itinerary, which included sand bathing and stargazing at the desert campsite, canoeing and tree planting in the mangrove forests of the Al Zora Nature Reserve. In addition, the delegation participated in a technology seminar at the Youth Hub and visited the University of Sharjah, where they had in-depth discussions and exchanges of views on topics such as environmental sustainability, arts, and information, as well as developing leadership and cooperation skills with local youths through group recreational activities. The students also visited the Museum of the Future and the Burj Khalifa Tower in Dubai, where they experienced the different angles of modern cityscape that combines innovation and tradition.
The students were impressed by the interaction during the Youth Hub seminar and with the students from the University of Sharjah. Wei-Ting Lin from the Department of Geography at NTNU mentioned that sustainable desert practices would greatly inspire his future course design. Jui-Chun Chen from the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering at NTUST stated that discussions with local students about implementing electronic invoices in the UAE and Taiwan's experiences with electronic carriers were mutually reinforcing. Hsin-Yu Kuo from the Department of Technology Application and Human Resource Development at NTNU addressed the issue of labor shortages in both Taiwan and the UAE, as well as the protection of foreign workers' labor rights.
Cultural exchange inspires thinking
The delegation also had an in-depth experience of the local culture. From the Ajman Fish Market and religious worship at the mosque to exchanges about traditional life in Sharjah, the students fully immersed themselves in the passion and depth of the Allied culture, as well as the close connection between religion and daily life in the Islamic way of life. Chao-Yu Cheng from the Department of Geography at NTU deeply felt that geography profoundly affects people's living habits and cultural characteristics. For example, the Muslim ritual of purification with water before worship, the cultural aspects of the desert environment, and the preference for white or light-colored clothing all reflect the impact of geography on people’s lives.
Moreover, Hsin-Yu Kuo and Yu-Yan Tang from the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering at NTUST noted that men's respect for women is evident in their interactions and the details of daily life. For instance, women are given priority when entering elevators, and men are not allowed to ride in the same elevator without women's consent, which made a strong impression on the students from Taiwan.
Learning and Growing from the Visit
Prof. Greg Lee said, “Our students are very good observers and learners. Even though the visit was only a week long, they gained an understanding of Arabian culture that exceeded our expectations, and they pointed out and analyzed the similarities and differences between the two cultures. During their interactions with young people in the UAE, we observed that the students actively asked questions and responded enthusiastically. This exchange not only helped enhance the international outlook of the students but also successfully demonstrated and promoted our country's culture and education.
After the trip, the students in the delegation expressed their gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the NTU system for their collaboration in providing them with the opportunity to participate in the international visit. The visit combined elements of nature, ecology, history, and modern culture, allowing them to explore the diverse aspects of the Arab world. The trip not only greatly enhanced their professional knowledge but also broadened their global perspectives and was very fruitful in developing leadership skills, promoting cross-cultural exchanges, and expanding their international horizons.