In an effort to strengthen international ties and promote cross-cultural learning, the NTNU International Collaboration and Exchange Grant offers up to NT$200,000 per project to support faculty and students in pursuit of global academic opportunities and professional development. This summer, Professor Chen-Wei Chang of the Department of Education utilized the funding to lead 27 students on a visit to Seoul National University (SNU) in South Korea. The program, which integrated practical learning with academic coursework, expanded the scope of the Multicultural Education A program curriculum at NTNU and enabled meaningful academic exchange.

The Multicultural Education A program marked the first collaboration between NTNU’s Department of Education and SNU. Co-taught by Professor Chen-Wei Chang and Associate Professor Hyungryeol Kim from SNU’s Department of Ethics Education, the course concluded with a field trip to South Korea, designed to extend the curriculum into real-world applications.

During the visit, NTNU students explored issues in multicultural education by engaging with prominent advocacy organizations such as Good Neighbors (GN) International and UNESCO-APCEIU. The collaboration also included academic discussions at SNU, where Professor Taekyoon Kim, Chair of Social Responsibility, connected the curriculum to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students were encouraged to apply their academic insights to community service during breaks, reinforcing the principles of university social responsibility.

This experience enhanced participants' understanding of cross-cultural education and social engagement while offering strategic perspectives for future international projects. At GN International, faculty and students from both universities addressed challenges in educational outreach, focusing on strategies to improve access to education for disadvantaged communities. Discussions emphasized bridging resource gaps and addressing inequality, with particular attention to SDG1 (No Poverty), SDG5 (Gender Equality), and SDG10 (Reduced Inequalities).

This blend of international exchange and practical learning equipped students with tools to integrate multicultural education concepts into their future careers. Participants also gained a deeper understanding of Korean society and culture, strengthening their cross-cultural communication skills and reinforcing their ability to create positive local and global impacts.

Applications for the 2025 International Collaboration and Exchange Grant opened in late September and will close on November 25. Academic units planning exchange activities between January and June 2025 (based on departure dates) are encouraged to apply.