Artificial Insemination of Sows in Africa: Internships of Campus Ambassadors from the College of Social Sciences in Eswatini
Date :
2024-09-18
Department :
International Master’s Program in Asia-Pacific Studies
【Article by IMAS】
In pursuit of advancing the internationalization goals of the College of Social Sciences (CSS) at National Chengchi University, the International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) and CSS signed a cooperation agreement in May, establishing an overseas internship program for campus ambassadors. Through this initiative, students from CSS were selected to engage in practical work in countries with cooperative ties to Taiwan. Yang Peilu, a second-year student at the Graduate Institute of Development Studies, and Antoni Mazek, a second-year student in the International Master's Program in Asia-Pacific Studies, were chosen to represent the College. At the end of August, they embarked on a one-week internship with the ICDF's technical mission in Eswatini.
The internship involved a rigorous schedule, commencing each morning at approximately 7 a.m. and concluding around 5 p.m. The ICDF's project sites spanned both urban and rural areas. In urban settings, the students' responsibilities included tasks related to public health, vocational training, market research, and other activities. Notably, the most impactful urban experience for the students was their involvement in public health initiatives. Following progress in controlling AIDS, cardiovascular and other chronic diseases have become the primary causes of mortality in Eswatini. The students conducted awareness campaigns on the streets under the intense sun, encouraging local citizens to undergo blood pressure and BMI tests. Additionally, they visited the national hospital to gain firsthand insights into patient care environments and received briefings from medical professionals on the shortages of equipment and personnel in the country.
In rural areas, the students participated in activities such as work in plant and animal laboratories, fruit harvesting and packaging, and hands-on experience at pig farms. Among these, their engagement at the pig farms was particularly memorable. They observed and participated in the efforts of Taiwanese technicians to enhance the meat supply in Eswatini, including the processes of sperm collection from boars, artificial insemination of sows, ultrasound pregnancy testing, weighing piglets, and administering vaccines. Through these activities, conducted amidst challenging conditions, the students gained a deeper understanding of the implementation and outcomes of Taiwan's foreign aid initiatives.
Recognizing the importance of this collaboration, the ICDF assigned a team to produce a documentary about the campus ambassador program, scheduled for release at a press conference in late October. To underscore its commitment to the program, the CSS also sent Associate Dean for International Affairs, Professor Philip Hsiaopong Liu, to accompany the students. Professor Liu emphasized the significance of ICDF's global cooperative projects and expressed confidence that this successful collaboration would create further opportunities for CSS students to witness and participate in Taiwan's international contributions around the world.
In pursuit of advancing the internationalization goals of the College of Social Sciences (CSS) at National Chengchi University, the International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) and CSS signed a cooperation agreement in May, establishing an overseas internship program for campus ambassadors. Through this initiative, students from CSS were selected to engage in practical work in countries with cooperative ties to Taiwan. Yang Peilu, a second-year student at the Graduate Institute of Development Studies, and Antoni Mazek, a second-year student in the International Master's Program in Asia-Pacific Studies, were chosen to represent the College. At the end of August, they embarked on a one-week internship with the ICDF's technical mission in Eswatini.
The internship involved a rigorous schedule, commencing each morning at approximately 7 a.m. and concluding around 5 p.m. The ICDF's project sites spanned both urban and rural areas. In urban settings, the students' responsibilities included tasks related to public health, vocational training, market research, and other activities. Notably, the most impactful urban experience for the students was their involvement in public health initiatives. Following progress in controlling AIDS, cardiovascular and other chronic diseases have become the primary causes of mortality in Eswatini. The students conducted awareness campaigns on the streets under the intense sun, encouraging local citizens to undergo blood pressure and BMI tests. Additionally, they visited the national hospital to gain firsthand insights into patient care environments and received briefings from medical professionals on the shortages of equipment and personnel in the country.
In rural areas, the students participated in activities such as work in plant and animal laboratories, fruit harvesting and packaging, and hands-on experience at pig farms. Among these, their engagement at the pig farms was particularly memorable. They observed and participated in the efforts of Taiwanese technicians to enhance the meat supply in Eswatini, including the processes of sperm collection from boars, artificial insemination of sows, ultrasound pregnancy testing, weighing piglets, and administering vaccines. Through these activities, conducted amidst challenging conditions, the students gained a deeper understanding of the implementation and outcomes of Taiwan's foreign aid initiatives.
Recognizing the importance of this collaboration, the ICDF assigned a team to produce a documentary about the campus ambassador program, scheduled for release at a press conference in late October. To underscore its commitment to the program, the CSS also sent Associate Dean for International Affairs, Professor Philip Hsiaopong Liu, to accompany the students. Professor Liu emphasized the significance of ICDF's global cooperative projects and expressed confidence that this successful collaboration would create further opportunities for CSS students to witness and participate in Taiwan's international contributions around the world.