Fostering Cross-Boundary Connections: NTNU’s TPICOE Embarks on Transdisciplinary Cultural Exchange at Keimyung University
To deepen its long-standing partnership with Keimyung University in Korea, the Transdisciplinary Program in the College of Education (TPICOE) at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) led a group of 17 faculty and students to Daegu in June 2025, engaging in a vibrant program of international and intercultural exchange.
NTNU and Keimyung University signed an MOU in 1986 and have since maintained active academic collaboration, with NTNU students participating in short-term exchange programs nearly every year since 2012. In 2024, the Dean of Keimyung’s College of Education joined the Deans’ Forum co-hosted by NTNU and the Asia-Pacific Association for Teacher Education, further reinforcing the partnership between the two colleges. Building on this momentum, 14 students and 3 faculty members from TPICOE visited Keimyung University under the theme “Interdisciplinary X Interregional,” a core philosophy of TPICOE aimed at equipping students with both transdisciplinary knowledge and a global perspective.
Students from diverse departments—Education, Health Promotion and Health Education, Child and Family Science, and Civic Education and Leadership—brought their unique disciplinary and cultural perspectives to the exchange. Their presentations, delivered in English, introduced Taiwan’s teacher education program, travel culture, and gender diversity issues. Notably, the students highlighted NTNU’s achievements, such as its strong international rankings in teacher education, its commitment to EMI (English-Medium Instruction), and the implementation of inclusive initiatives like gender-neutral restrooms on campus. Students also acted as cultural ambassadors, showcasing Taiwan’s regional attractions and traditions, and creatively integrated AI chatbot and Kahoot games into their presentations to enhance audience interaction and engagement.
Keimyung faculty and students responded enthusiastically, noting how the presentations deepened their understanding of Taiwan’s education landscape and sparked meaningful reflection on issues of gender and cultural inclusivity.
The exchange also included a visit to Keisung Middle School, where TPICOE students observed visual arts, English, and physical education classes. The experience offered a close-up look at Korean secondary education in practice—from students’ artistic expression to the integration of tablets in group-based English learning. Following the classroom visits, Taiwanese and Korean students held a cultural discussion focused on Taiwan, helping prepare Keisung students for their upcoming study visit to Taiwan later this year.
This visit marked TPICOE’s third overseas exchange trip—following successful visits to Kyushu University in 2023 and Chiba University in 2024—and its first to Korea. Students who had completed NTNU’s Korean Studies and Language program played a key role as interpreters, bridging language gaps and fostering smoother communication. Additionally, the students’ polished and confident delivery in English reflected the tangible results of NTNU’s efforts to promote EMI education across the university.
Through this immersive “Interdisciplinary X Interregional” exchange, TPICOE students not only stepped into another educational context but also practiced cross-cultural engagement and mutual understanding in a real-world setting. The College of Education at NTNU remains committed to expanding such international opportunities, enabling students to turn academic learning into intercultural action and to grow into globally minded educators and leaders.