Source: Ming-Chun Lu, Department of Environmental Engineering, NCHU
Edited by Inger Tsai, Office of International Affairs, NCHU

Global Excellence in Environmental Engineering: NCHU's TEEP Program Cultivates International Talents

The Taiwan Experience Education Program (TEEP), a flagship initiative of Taiwan’s Ministry of Education, continues to attract international students for short-term professional internships and research projects. By providing hands-on experience across various academic fields, TEEP strengthens Taiwan’s position in global education while fostering valuable cross-cultural exchange. The program enables students to collaborate with Taiwanese institutions, enhance their professional capabilities, and immerse themselves in Taiwan’s vibrant academic and cultural landscape.

^{►Professor Ming-Chun Lu and his International interns.}

Building Global Bridges Through Academic Excellence

National Chung Hsing University’s (NCHU’s) Department of Environmental Engineering has marked another milestone through its successful completion of the 2023 TEEP Program. Seven exceptional students from prestigious institutions—Vietnam National University, Hanoi, the University of the Philippines, Mapua University in the Philippines, and Kaunas University of Technology in Lithuania—completed their six-month internships at NCHU. Their March 2024 departure to their home countries marks not an end but a beginning, as the department prepares to welcome an expanded cohort of 14 students from the Philippines, Lithuania, and the United States for the 2024 program.

During their time in Taiwan, these international students achieved significant personal and professional growth. They gained valuable practical experience, developed strong collaboration and teamwork skills, and enhanced their academic, professional, and cultural qualities through intensive study and research. This comprehensive experience has established a robust foundation for their future career development in environmental engineering.

^{►Global Collaboration: Visited by Interns' Supervising Professors.}

Expanding Horizons: The EQC 2023 International Symposium

The department’s commitment to international collaboration reached new heights with the hosting of the EQC 2023 International Symposium. This landmark event drew approximately 200 scholars and students from seven nations across the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam, to engage in academic exchange with NCHU and other environmental science-related departments in Taiwan.

This symposium’s success extended beyond academic discussions, as it strengthened connections with universities that haven’t yet participated in the internship program. These new relationships have opened additional pathways for the university's ongoing internationalization efforts, creating fresh opportunities for future collaboration and exchange.

  
^{►Excellence Recognized: Outstanding Paper Award Winners at the EQC 2023 Closing Ceremony.}

Impact and Future Prospects

The success of both TEEP and the EQC International Symposium underscores NCHU’s growing influence in international environmental engineering education. The Department of Environmental Engineering continues to demonstrate its leadership in promoting academic exchange and collaborative partnerships between Taiwan and other countries, strengthening the university's position as a key player in international education.

^{►Hands-on Learning: International Interns Conducting Experiments or Research Projects in the Laboratory.}