2025-08-25

(Provided by the Office of International Affairs) To deepen international academic collaboration and promote youth engagement in social issues, National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU) partnered with Myanmar's Parami University to co-host a ten-day Summer University program. The program welcomed 16 faculty members and students from Myanmar to Kaohsiung, joining NSYSU and Kaohsiung American School students in a vibrant exchange team for a transformative learning journey centered on climate change, community resilience, actionable learning, and intercultural understanding.

The program focused on key themes including disaster risk reduction, environmental sustainability, and social resilience. A wide range of guest experts were invited to give lectures and lead discussions, such as Dr. Chia-Chen Wang, Director of NSYSU's Aerosol Science Research Center; Prof. Chiung-Ting Chang, Director of the Institute of Public Affairs Management; Dr. Chia-Hao Hsu, Director of the Indigenous Special Program; Dr. Chi-Feng Liu, former Executive Director of the Center for Science, Technology, Democracy and Society (STS Center) under the National Science Council; alumnus Ming-Chang Chen, an ESG strategist in the distant-water fishing industry; and Eryk Michael Smith, the popular host of a podcast on Taiwanese history. Each session captivated the participants with fresh insights and engaging discussions.

Beyond the classroom, students took part in field visits to deepen their understanding of Taiwan's local environmental and social challenges. Destinations included the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, a lychee farm in Nansheng Community of Cishan, the Tainan Lab of the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering, and the Baihe Indigenous Culture Park in Changzhi, Pingtung. Workshops and student presentations were also held, encouraging participants to develop youth-led action plans addressing local issues in Taiwan and Myanmar, while immersing themselves in the open and interactive classroom culture of NSYSU.

Prof. Ming-Hsuan Lee, Vice President for International Affairs at NSYSU, remarked, "Despite the challenges they face, Parami University continues to create opportunities for students to engage with the world. Their resilience and courage are truly admirable. As a member of the Open Society University Network (OSUN), NSYSU believes in the power of international academic collaboration to create positive change. This summer university is our way of putting into practice our shared commitment to education, academic freedom, open dialogue, and social responsibility."

Many participants expressed how deeply the cultural exchange had impacted them. Some were inspired by how Taiwanese communities actively pursue sustainability, prompting reflection on their own environmental practices. Others mentioned the challenges of navigating an English-speaking environment, but felt supported by the inclusive and encouraging atmosphere that helped them grow in confidence and communication. For Parami students, most of whom typically study online, attending in-person lectures and freely participating in discussions was both novel and energizing.

Students from the Kaohsiung American School were fully engaged throughout the program. One student shared that the experience made her want to get more involved in school clubs and activities, saying, "Organizing events that help people grow and create meaningful experiences really matters."

The program concluded successfully. The Parami delegation then traveled to Taipei for a self-guided visit and returned to Myanmar. NSYSU remains committed to advancing such international cooperation initiatives, highlighting the role of higher education in addressing social change and regional development, and reinforcing Taiwan's contribution to global academia.