NTNU Builds Global Connections at AERA with Alumni and Scholars
Demonstrating its commitment to global academic exchange and alumni outreach, NTNU hosted a high-profile reception on April 24 during the 2025 American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado. The event brought together more than 200 guests from over 30 academic institutions across the United States, Asia, Europe, and other regions.
Held at the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center, the NTNU AERA Reception served as a platform to reconnect with alumni, strengthen ties with international partners, and explore future avenues for collaboration. NTNU faculty members attending the AERA meeting were joined by scholars, institutional representatives, and long-time supporters of the university.
The reception opened with remarks from Professor Hsiu-Lan Shelley Tien, Dean of the College of Education, who welcomed participants and emphasized the importance of academic dialogue and partnership. Professor Tien expressed appreciation to colleagues from NTNU’s sister institutions in Asia, Europe, and North America, highlighting the reception as an opportunity to deepen relationships and lay the foundation for future scholarly cooperation.
Professor Mei-Hui Liu, NTNU Vice President for Academic Affairs, shared the university’s recent achievements in the 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject, where six disciplines ranked among the global top 100. Most notably, the field of Education placed 24th worldwide, underscoring NTNU’s academic strength. She also highlighted the university’s role as one of Taiwan’s four designated Bilingual Benchmark Universities, noting its efforts to internationalize curricula and attract global academic talent.
Professor Liu extended an invitation to scholars worldwide to join NTNU in its pursuit of academic excellence.
Professor Ying-Shao Hsu, Vice President for Research and Development, presented NTNU’s current research strategy, which emphasizes innovation, heritage, and international engagement. She highlighted the university’s growing strengths in science education, learning technologies, and interdisciplinary collaboration, supported by national-level funding. Professor Hsu also underscored NTNU’s dedication to sustainability and educational innovation, reaffirming the university’s commitment to advancing research with global impact.
NTNU faculty in attendance at the AERA conference and reception included Associate Dean Wen-Yu Lee of the College of Education, Professors Pei-Ying Chen and Li-Yun Wang from the Department of Education, Associate Professor Yu-Chi Tseng of the Graduate Institute of Sustainability Management and Environmental Education, and Assistant Professor Li-Ching Hung from the Department of Education and Learning Technology in the College of Teacher Education.
Guests at the reception represented institutions such as the University of California, Berkeley, The Education University of Hong Kong, University of British Columbia, Nanyang Technological University, Musashi University, The Ohio State University, Michigan State University, Purdue University, and Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education.
The event featured lively discussion, networking, and photo opportunities, reflecting NTNU’s strong international presence and the strength of its global academic community.