【Article by GCIT】

The Master’s Program in Global Communication and Innovation Technology (GCIT) at National Chengchi University (NCCU) held the 2025 Spring Orientation and Course Introduction on February 17, 2025. This semester, GCIT welcomes six new students, including four local and two international students. The event was attended by faculty members, including Prof. Wen-Ling Tu, Dean of the International College of Innovation (ICI); Distinguished Prof. Trisha Lin, Director of GCIT; Assistant Prof. Christine Cook; Associate Prof. Phil Smith; Distinguished Prof. Tammy Lin; Associate Prof. Pei-Hsuan Hsieh; Associate Prof. Yi-Hsuan Chiang; Assistant Prof. Richy Li; and Assistant Prof. Michael Yu. The orientation was held on-site and online, with 15 current GCIT students also participating to warmly welcome the newcomers.

The event opened with a specially produced welcome video by Prof. Tu, who highlighted GCIT as one of the most significant programs under ICI. Prof. Tu hoped new students would continue demonstrating innovative thinking throughout their learning journey. GCIT Director Prof. Trisha Lin followed with a welcome video produced in GCIT’s virtual studio, showcasing the program’s advanced facilities and unique academic advantages. “We are more than just a communication program. We aim to cultivate a new generation of communication professionals who master cutting-edge technologies with a global outlook,” she stated. “GCIT offers industry-level equipment, allowing students to gain hands-on experience with the latest communication technologies, bridging the gap between academia and industry.”

Assistant Prof. Christine Cook, who specializes in digital storytelling and research methodologies, emphasized that GCIT’s curriculum transcends traditional academic boundaries by integrating theory with practice. “We value theoretical foundations and  invite industry experts to co-teach, enabling students to stay ahead of emerging trends and smoothly transition into their careers.”

Associate Prof. Phil Smith, an expert in international journalism and new media with over 40 years of experience at various international media outlets, shared his practical insights. “In today’s globalized media landscape, journalists must develop cross-cultural perspectives. In my courses, I will share first-hand international reporting experiences and guide students through real case studies to master key techniques in global news narratives. Here, we don’t just learn how to write news; we foster critical thinking and organizational skills,” he said. Prof. Smith emphasized that developing diverse viewpoints and sound professional judgment is essential for becoming an outstanding international journalist—an objective that perfectly aligns with GCIT’s mission.

During the event, several professors also joined online to introduce the courses offered this semester. Distinguished Prof. Tammy Lin, an expert in VR technology, introduced the course "Virtual Reality and Digital Technology," offering exclusive professional VR technology training combined with the latest industry trends only at NCCU. Assistant Prof. Michael Yu, Executive Director of TaiwanPlus, presented " Global Communication: Cross-media Planning, Production, and Management," which integrates years of experience in the news industry and collaboration with Radio Taiwan International, aiming to equip students with essential skills to navigate the ever-evolving global communication landscape.

Associate Prof. Pei-Hsuan Hsieh and Assistant Prof. Richy Li will co-teach the required course "New Media, Technology, and Society," guiding students in exploring the relationship between new media and societal issues while equipping the ability to address real-time challenges. Meanwhile, Associate Prof. Yi-Hsuan Chiang introduced the course "Digital Production and Analytics," designed to help students master practical skills in digital production and analysis, integrating emerging technologies and social media data analytics.

On the topic of international learning resources, Director Lin announced several significant collaborations. This semester, renowned scholars from the National University of Singapore (NUS), the University of Washington, and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) will be invited for guest lectures covering topics such as digital transformation, sustainable communication, and cross-cultural communication. These initiatives highlight the immersive learning course co-developed with NUS, allowing students to visit key industry institutions such as NUS and the Singapore Film Society, offering them hands-on experience with the challenges and opportunities of cross-border collaboration.

During the senior students’ sharing session, Alex Wu (Taiwan) shared tips on navigating graduate student life at NCCU and emphasized how GCIT’s English-speaking environment plays a vital role in career development. Benson Luo (Taiwan) recounted his exchange experience in Finland, encouraging new students to take full advantage of GCIT’s resources. Nora(Germany) reflected on her learning journey at GCIT and offered advice on course selection. Honoka (Japan) shared her experience writing a capstone report, highlighting  GCIT’s strong academic support. Notably, her report was successfully accepted by the 75th International Communication Association (ICA) Annual Conference.

Senior students shared valuable insights from various aspects such as daily life, academics, and international learning opportunities, helping new students understand what to expect in their master’s journey.

With the successful conclusion of the orientation, GCIT’s new students are now well-prepared to embark on their academic journey. This semester marks the beginning of their pursuit of international academic and practical experiences. Whether through classroom interactions with esteemed faculty or invaluable experiences gained from international exchanges and internship opportunities, these experiences will become crucial stepping stones in their career development. GCIT’s professional curriculum design and faculty will provide students with the knowledge and empower them to demonstrate innovation and leadership in the global communication field. GCIT will serve as a vital launchpad toward success for these students from diverse backgrounds, continuously nurturing future talents equipped with international perspectives and professional competence in digital technology, cross-cultural communication, and media development.

[此中英文稿和圖片以及全球傳播與創新科技碩士學位學程均獲得中華民國文化部的補助。]