Associate Vice President of Global Initiatives Dr. Cheryl Young recently met with Taiwanese educational experts as part of a Fulbright International Education Administrators grant. With a delegation of 24 other U.S. educators, she visited a broad cross section of universities and secondary schools and received briefings from government officials.

During her time in Taiwan, Young and her colleagues met with multiple colleges and universities in an event sponsored by the Foundation for International Cooperation in Higher Education of Taiwan (FICHET). The U.S. delegation visited National Taipei University of Technology, National Taiwan University, National Chengchi University, China Medical University, National Chi Nan University, National Chung Hsing University, Thunghai University, National Cheng Kung University, and National Sun Yet-Sen University.

At National Taiwan University, Young and two other IEA delegation members gave a presentation on Internationalization in Higher Education in U.S. institutions, and then led group discussions.

The delegation also went to the Taipei Shuang Yuan Primary School where they observed a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) teaching an English class to students. At Kaoshsiung Municipal Hsin Chuang High School, they met in small groups with students to learn about their aspirations of study in the United States. "We were able to allow them to practice their English language skills," Young said.

As part of the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program (FLTA) workshop, designed to prepare participants for their upcoming program in the United States, members of the delegation participated in panels that spoke to various topics of life in the United States, including flexibility and program solving, crossing cultures, raising concerns and through what channels, and understanding international education.

A Destination for Study, Teaching, and Research

Young reported that Taiwan was very welcoming, open, and easy to navigate in general. "They clearly value diversity, and the institutions of higher education had leadership that was committed to the success of students, dedicated to meaningful research that serves the world, as well as being deeply engaged with teaching excellence," she said.

Furthermore, Young found Taiwan to be an ideal place for students to study and for faculty to teach or collaborate on research. "I found many synergies for a diversity of partnerships, both in institutions of higher education and in Taiwanese industry, which I found to be quite technologically advanced and innovative, especially in the area of semiconductors, but also pioneering advances in medical research. I think there are some compelling opportunities for Miami University faculty and students to engage in Taiwan, and I'm working to quickly develop collaborations that will meet our goals," she said.

According to Young, the Taiwanese focus on the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) was particularly remarkable. Each university, school, and government agency that the delegation visited started their presentation by naming the SDGs that were their priority and detailing their progress on the goals. "It was quite impressive to see the sustainable practices being developed under a united vision for the country," she said. "Every person in each university that I met was able to fully communicate their own focus on the SDGs in their work, as well as how they continuously reviewed their progress and adjusted their practices."

Fulbright at Miami

As the premier international exchange program sponsored by the United State government, Fulbright forms one of the foundations of Miami's tradition of excellence. Over the years, Miami Fulbrighters have forged connections between the U.S. and other countries through people-to-people and institution to institution exchanges. In fact, Miami was named by the Institute of International Education (IIE) as one of the "Top Producing Institutions" for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, for the 2020-2021 academic year.

Young encourages Miamians who are interested in pursuing grant opportunities through Fulbright to start with Global Initiatives, where they will receive guidance through the process. "Developing these relationships with key institutions abroad will benefit both students and faculty as we continue to expand the Miami University footprint around the globe," she said.