Fulbright Delegation Visits NCCU: Humanities AI and Bilingual Education as Key Discussion Topics
Date :
2025-03-18
Department :
Office of International Cooperation (OIC)
【Article by Secretariat】
National Chengchi University (NCCU) hosted a delegation from the Fulbright International Education Administrators (IEA) program on March 12.
The visiting delegation, consisting of 18 representatives from top U.S. universities such as the University of Southern California, the University of Iowa, and the University of Texas at Austin, engaged in discussions on humanities AI and bilingual education.
The event also featured Fulbright program students sharing their experiences studying in Taiwan, offering the delegation an in-depth look into NCCU’s unique academic environment and vibrant campus culture.
Randall Nadeau, Executive Director of the Foundation for Scholarly Exchange, highly praised NCCU’s advancements in humanities AI during the visit, stating that its planning efforts have already surpassed those of American universities.
【NCCU’s Commitment to Internationalization}
In his remarks, NCCU President Tsai-Yen Li (李蔡彥) emphasized that NCCU, one of Taiwan’s oldest universities, is approaching its centennial anniversary in two years.
Over the years, the university has actively pursued internationalization, attracting American students through its collaboration with Fulbright and participation in the Taiwan-US Higher Education Alliance.
President Li also highlighted NCCU’s commitment to knowledge creation and dissemination, noting that the university currently offers over 800 English-Medium Instruction (EMI) courses while promoting the values of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) to ensure seamless integration of international students into its academic and social environment.
【Humanities Innovation in the Age of AI】
With the rise of AI, NCCU has been actively advancing interdisciplinary education that integrates humanities and artificial intelligence.
Dean of the College of Informatics Chi-Hsuan Liu (劉吉軒) explained that in addition to foundational AI courses, NCCU offers cross-disciplinary programs such as "AI + X" and "AI in X," covering areas like law, business management, humanities, and digital governance, which equip students with AI literacy and prepare them for its application in various domains.
NCCU also hosts numerous AI-related initiatives, including AI exhibitions and interdisciplinary project grants, enabling students to apply AI creatively to solve societal challenges.
Furthermore, the university collaborates closely with industry and government entities, having signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with NVIDIA and AMD to expand students' career opportunities, including potential employment at renowned global enterprises like TSMC after graduation.
【Strengthening Bilingual Education and International Exchange】
In terms of promoting bilingual education and international cooperation, NCCU’s English Teaching Resource Center plays a key role.
Professor Hsiao-Fang Chung (鍾曉芳), Director of the EMI Resource Center in Bilingual Education and Multicultural Promotion Office, stated that last year, the center partnered with the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) to implement an English Specialist Program focused on EMI teaching methods, also collaborating with Tsing Hua University on faculty training programs.
On campus, the center provides training courses for faculty and teaching assistants while leveraging social media to engage students and enhance visibility, and it also organizes competitions such as short essay writing and short video planning to boost students’ motivation for learning.
Director Chung expressed hopes for deeper collaboration with Fulbright in the future, including classroom observations to gain insights from American scholars to enhance NCCU’s EMI courses further.
【Fulbright Students’ Experiences at NCCU】
To date, NCCU has hosted approximately 40 American students through its partnership with Fulbright.
Caleb Curtis Apperson, a first-year student at the Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies, shared that his academic journey at NCCU has not only strengthened his scholarly capabilities but also provided him with practical applications for theoretical knowledge.
He recounted his experience in a crisis simulation exercise in which he played the role of a U.S. representative negotiating with teams from different countries, deepening his understanding of mutual respect and cultural awareness in diplomatic relations.
Additionally, through the Fulbright program, Apperson has been studying Mandarin and has reached a level where he can conduct fluent conversations in Chinese on podcasts, showcasing impressive language acquisition progress.
Catherine HsuLee Tadlock, currently enrolled in NCCU’s International Master’s Program in Asia-Pacific Studies (IMAS), previously studied in Taiwan as an undergraduate and has described her return through the Fulbright program as a life-changing experience.
She highlighted NCCU’s abundant Chinese learning resources, interactive courses, and hands-on learning opportunities, such as participating in a sustainable development field study in Yilan and an upcoming research trip to Kinmen, allowing her to see the integration of theory and practice firsthand.
Furthermore, she has immersed herself in Taiwanese society by joining a dragon boat team, enriching her cultural experiences, and making the most of her time studying in Taiwan.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening Collaboration
Fulbright campus mentors, Professors Hui-Ling Lai (賴惠玲) of the Department of English and Mei-Hsiu Chiu (邱美秀) of the Department of Education were deeply moved by the students’ sharing and expressed hopes for fostering a more comprehensive support system for both NCCU and Fulbright students through closer dialogue in the future.
After listening to the discussions, Director Nadeau praised President Li as a visionary educator, noting that Fulbright students at NCCU are not merely passive recipients of education but active contributors, helping to establish a positive educational cycle.
As a humanities and social sciences scholar, Director Nadeau admitted that he was at first hesitant about applying AI to these fields. However, after further engagement, he came to recognize the significance of humanities AI.
In his closing remarks, Director Nadeau also expressed his admiration for NCCU’s AI curriculum, pointing out that many of its initiatives have already outpaced those of American universities, solidifying its position as a leader in educational innovation.
(translated by Meryl Kao)
National Chengchi University (NCCU) hosted a delegation from the Fulbright International Education Administrators (IEA) program on March 12.
The visiting delegation, consisting of 18 representatives from top U.S. universities such as the University of Southern California, the University of Iowa, and the University of Texas at Austin, engaged in discussions on humanities AI and bilingual education.
The event also featured Fulbright program students sharing their experiences studying in Taiwan, offering the delegation an in-depth look into NCCU’s unique academic environment and vibrant campus culture.
Randall Nadeau, Executive Director of the Foundation for Scholarly Exchange, highly praised NCCU’s advancements in humanities AI during the visit, stating that its planning efforts have already surpassed those of American universities.
【NCCU’s Commitment to Internationalization}
In his remarks, NCCU President Tsai-Yen Li (李蔡彥) emphasized that NCCU, one of Taiwan’s oldest universities, is approaching its centennial anniversary in two years.
Over the years, the university has actively pursued internationalization, attracting American students through its collaboration with Fulbright and participation in the Taiwan-US Higher Education Alliance.
President Li also highlighted NCCU’s commitment to knowledge creation and dissemination, noting that the university currently offers over 800 English-Medium Instruction (EMI) courses while promoting the values of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) to ensure seamless integration of international students into its academic and social environment.
【Humanities Innovation in the Age of AI】
With the rise of AI, NCCU has been actively advancing interdisciplinary education that integrates humanities and artificial intelligence.
Dean of the College of Informatics Chi-Hsuan Liu (劉吉軒) explained that in addition to foundational AI courses, NCCU offers cross-disciplinary programs such as "AI + X" and "AI in X," covering areas like law, business management, humanities, and digital governance, which equip students with AI literacy and prepare them for its application in various domains.
NCCU also hosts numerous AI-related initiatives, including AI exhibitions and interdisciplinary project grants, enabling students to apply AI creatively to solve societal challenges.
Furthermore, the university collaborates closely with industry and government entities, having signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with NVIDIA and AMD to expand students' career opportunities, including potential employment at renowned global enterprises like TSMC after graduation.
【Strengthening Bilingual Education and International Exchange】
In terms of promoting bilingual education and international cooperation, NCCU’s English Teaching Resource Center plays a key role.
Professor Hsiao-Fang Chung (鍾曉芳), Director of the EMI Resource Center in Bilingual Education and Multicultural Promotion Office, stated that last year, the center partnered with the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) to implement an English Specialist Program focused on EMI teaching methods, also collaborating with Tsing Hua University on faculty training programs.
On campus, the center provides training courses for faculty and teaching assistants while leveraging social media to engage students and enhance visibility, and it also organizes competitions such as short essay writing and short video planning to boost students’ motivation for learning.
Director Chung expressed hopes for deeper collaboration with Fulbright in the future, including classroom observations to gain insights from American scholars to enhance NCCU’s EMI courses further.
【Fulbright Students’ Experiences at NCCU】
To date, NCCU has hosted approximately 40 American students through its partnership with Fulbright.
Caleb Curtis Apperson, a first-year student at the Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies, shared that his academic journey at NCCU has not only strengthened his scholarly capabilities but also provided him with practical applications for theoretical knowledge.
He recounted his experience in a crisis simulation exercise in which he played the role of a U.S. representative negotiating with teams from different countries, deepening his understanding of mutual respect and cultural awareness in diplomatic relations.
Additionally, through the Fulbright program, Apperson has been studying Mandarin and has reached a level where he can conduct fluent conversations in Chinese on podcasts, showcasing impressive language acquisition progress.
Catherine HsuLee Tadlock, currently enrolled in NCCU’s International Master’s Program in Asia-Pacific Studies (IMAS), previously studied in Taiwan as an undergraduate and has described her return through the Fulbright program as a life-changing experience.
She highlighted NCCU’s abundant Chinese learning resources, interactive courses, and hands-on learning opportunities, such as participating in a sustainable development field study in Yilan and an upcoming research trip to Kinmen, allowing her to see the integration of theory and practice firsthand.
Furthermore, she has immersed herself in Taiwanese society by joining a dragon boat team, enriching her cultural experiences, and making the most of her time studying in Taiwan.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening Collaboration
Fulbright campus mentors, Professors Hui-Ling Lai (賴惠玲) of the Department of English and Mei-Hsiu Chiu (邱美秀) of the Department of Education were deeply moved by the students’ sharing and expressed hopes for fostering a more comprehensive support system for both NCCU and Fulbright students through closer dialogue in the future.
After listening to the discussions, Director Nadeau praised President Li as a visionary educator, noting that Fulbright students at NCCU are not merely passive recipients of education but active contributors, helping to establish a positive educational cycle.
As a humanities and social sciences scholar, Director Nadeau admitted that he was at first hesitant about applying AI to these fields. However, after further engagement, he came to recognize the significance of humanities AI.
In his closing remarks, Director Nadeau also expressed his admiration for NCCU’s AI curriculum, pointing out that many of its initiatives have already outpaced those of American universities, solidifying its position as a leader in educational innovation.
(translated by Meryl Kao)