SDG17
NCKU Delegation Strengthens Academic Collaboration in the U.S. through Visits to Auburn University and Xavier University
From March 24 to 29, a delegation from National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) visited Auburn University (AU) in Alabama and Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) in New Orleans to deepen academic collaboration, particularly through the Huayu BEST program, an initiative dedicated to promoting Mandarin Chinese education and cultural exchange. The delegation also met with city officials in New Orleans to explore broader partnerships between NCKU and local institutions. The growth of NCKU’s collaboration with U.S. institutions has been made possible through initiatives and financial support from Taiwan’s Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with special support from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices (TECO) in Atlanta and Houston.
Expanding Collaboration with Auburn University
Auburn University has been a key partner of NCKU since 2021, establishing the AU-NCKU Taiwan Center of Chinese Language and Culture (Taiwan Center) in 2022—the only such center in the southern United States. The current director is Prof. Shu-Wen Tsen, faculty at the School of Industrial and Graphic Design and 1995 NCKU alumnus. During the visit from March 25 to 26, the delegation met with Auburn's Provost, Dr. Vini Nathan, Associate Dean Dr. Dean Hendrix (Samuel Ginn College of Engineering), Assistant Provost Dr. Andy Gillespie, and faculty members from the Anthropology, Education, and Pathobiology departments to discuss expanding collaboration beyond language studies.
At least seven Auburn students will study Chinese at NCKU in the summer and fall of 2025. Faculty collaboration is also growing, with Dr. Gaetano (Head of the Anthropology Department) visiting NCKU as a Fulbright Scholar for one year starting in the fall of 2025 and Dr. Harrison (ESOL Education Program Coordinator) staying in the spring of 2026 through an Auburn Research Grant. Auburn faculty will also teach EMI (English-medium instruction) courses, lead workshops, and conduct joint research with NCKU faculty.
A major highlight of the discussions was introducing a joint program integrating Chinese language learning with NCKU’s summer school on semiconductors, organized by the Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing (AISSM). This initiative offers five weeks of Chinese studies and three intensive, credit-bearing courses for elite students from international partner universities, targeting engineering majors. Dr. Hendrix of Auburn’s Engineering College expressed strong support, highlighting its potential to prepare students for careers at TSMC and other leading Taiwanese tech companies.
The visit also included cultural exchanges. The delegation visited showcases organized by student clubs and attended Auburn’s Research Symposium in Science, witnessing research presentations by undergraduate and graduate students.
Strengthening Partnerships with Xavier University of Louisiana
Continuing the U.S. visit, the delegation traveled to New Orleans, meeting with leadership at Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) on March 27-29. Discussions with President Verret, Provost Giguette, Dean Sunda-Meya of Arts & Sciences College, Dean Kennedy of Pharmacy College, Director Roberts of the Exponential Honors Program, and Chair Boissiere of the Biology Department focused on expanding academic collaboration beyond language education.
As part of the Huayu BEST program, at least six XULA students will study Chinese at NCKU, with two extending their studies into the fall semester. The two universities also explored new academic partnerships, including an agreement to share at least one asynchronous online course in general biology, a strong field at XULA.
XULA also expressed interest in the joint language and semiconductor program introduced at Auburn. President Verret welcomed the initiative, noting its potential to open career pathways for XULA students at TSMC and other Taiwanese tech companies.
Engagement with New Orleans City Officials
On March 29, the delegation, accompanied by Dr. Jiang Yu, Director of XULA’s Center for International Studies, was invited to New Orleans City Hall by Mr. Arthur C. Walton, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, and Ms. Rosine Pema Sanga, Director of International Relations. The meeting underscored the sister-city relationship between Tainan and New Orleans and explored ways the city could support educational exchanges between NCKU and universities in New Orleans.
City officials welcomed the news that six Tulane University students will also study at NCKU’s Chinese Language Center this summer, further leveraging the educational network shared between Tulane and XULA. Additionally, Chinese language instructors from both universities are collaborating to organize cultural events at the Children’s Library in New Orleans, enhancing community engagement. Director Walton pledged to establish a platform connecting universities across New Orleans, promoting Chinese language courses at XULA, and encouraging more students to study under NCKU’s Huayu BEST program.
Looking Ahead
This visit significantly strengthened academic and cultural ties between NCKU, Auburn University, and Xavier University of Louisiana. Through student and faculty exchanges, joint academic programs, and municipal engagement, NCKU continues to foster deeper collaborations that benefit Taiwan and the United States.
The NCKU delegation included:
Chen, Yuh-Neu, Executive Vice President
Kao, Shin-Mei, Dean of Liberal Arts
Wang, Ju-Ming, Dean of Bioscience and Biotechnology College
Wu, Mei-Ying, Director of the Chinese Language Center
Chen, Yi-Jyun, Project Manager for the Huayu BEST program
Expanding Collaboration with Auburn University
Auburn University has been a key partner of NCKU since 2021, establishing the AU-NCKU Taiwan Center of Chinese Language and Culture (Taiwan Center) in 2022—the only such center in the southern United States. The current director is Prof. Shu-Wen Tsen, faculty at the School of Industrial and Graphic Design and 1995 NCKU alumnus. During the visit from March 25 to 26, the delegation met with Auburn's Provost, Dr. Vini Nathan, Associate Dean Dr. Dean Hendrix (Samuel Ginn College of Engineering), Assistant Provost Dr. Andy Gillespie, and faculty members from the Anthropology, Education, and Pathobiology departments to discuss expanding collaboration beyond language studies.
At least seven Auburn students will study Chinese at NCKU in the summer and fall of 2025. Faculty collaboration is also growing, with Dr. Gaetano (Head of the Anthropology Department) visiting NCKU as a Fulbright Scholar for one year starting in the fall of 2025 and Dr. Harrison (ESOL Education Program Coordinator) staying in the spring of 2026 through an Auburn Research Grant. Auburn faculty will also teach EMI (English-medium instruction) courses, lead workshops, and conduct joint research with NCKU faculty.
A major highlight of the discussions was introducing a joint program integrating Chinese language learning with NCKU’s summer school on semiconductors, organized by the Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing (AISSM). This initiative offers five weeks of Chinese studies and three intensive, credit-bearing courses for elite students from international partner universities, targeting engineering majors. Dr. Hendrix of Auburn’s Engineering College expressed strong support, highlighting its potential to prepare students for careers at TSMC and other leading Taiwanese tech companies.
The visit also included cultural exchanges. The delegation visited showcases organized by student clubs and attended Auburn’s Research Symposium in Science, witnessing research presentations by undergraduate and graduate students.
Strengthening Partnerships with Xavier University of Louisiana
Continuing the U.S. visit, the delegation traveled to New Orleans, meeting with leadership at Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) on March 27-29. Discussions with President Verret, Provost Giguette, Dean Sunda-Meya of Arts & Sciences College, Dean Kennedy of Pharmacy College, Director Roberts of the Exponential Honors Program, and Chair Boissiere of the Biology Department focused on expanding academic collaboration beyond language education.
As part of the Huayu BEST program, at least six XULA students will study Chinese at NCKU, with two extending their studies into the fall semester. The two universities also explored new academic partnerships, including an agreement to share at least one asynchronous online course in general biology, a strong field at XULA.
XULA also expressed interest in the joint language and semiconductor program introduced at Auburn. President Verret welcomed the initiative, noting its potential to open career pathways for XULA students at TSMC and other Taiwanese tech companies.
Engagement with New Orleans City Officials
On March 29, the delegation, accompanied by Dr. Jiang Yu, Director of XULA’s Center for International Studies, was invited to New Orleans City Hall by Mr. Arthur C. Walton, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, and Ms. Rosine Pema Sanga, Director of International Relations. The meeting underscored the sister-city relationship between Tainan and New Orleans and explored ways the city could support educational exchanges between NCKU and universities in New Orleans.
City officials welcomed the news that six Tulane University students will also study at NCKU’s Chinese Language Center this summer, further leveraging the educational network shared between Tulane and XULA. Additionally, Chinese language instructors from both universities are collaborating to organize cultural events at the Children’s Library in New Orleans, enhancing community engagement. Director Walton pledged to establish a platform connecting universities across New Orleans, promoting Chinese language courses at XULA, and encouraging more students to study under NCKU’s Huayu BEST program.
Looking Ahead
This visit significantly strengthened academic and cultural ties between NCKU, Auburn University, and Xavier University of Louisiana. Through student and faculty exchanges, joint academic programs, and municipal engagement, NCKU continues to foster deeper collaborations that benefit Taiwan and the United States.
The NCKU delegation included:
Chen, Yuh-Neu, Executive Vice President
Kao, Shin-Mei, Dean of Liberal Arts
Wang, Ju-Ming, Dean of Bioscience and Biotechnology College
Wu, Mei-Ying, Director of the Chinese Language Center
Chen, Yi-Jyun, Project Manager for the Huayu BEST program
NCKU delegation meets XULA Huayu BEST scholarship recipients.
NCKU delegation and Taiwan Center Staff in front of the Center Office.
NCKU delegation received by Provost Nathan. [From left to right: Director Shu-Wen Tseng, Dean Wang, Provost Nathan, VP Chen, Associate Provost Gillespie, Dean Kao, Director Wu, Ms. Chen, Ms. Ting.]
Discussion about faculty exchange. [From left to right: Director Lee (Korean Center), Dean Kao, VP Chen, Associate Provost Gillespie, Dr. Gaetano, Director Wu, Dr. Harrison, and Dean Wang.]
NCKU delegation visits Auburn Student Research Symposium.
The NCKU delegation visits XULA [from left to right, Ms. Chen of NCKU, Chinese teacher at XULA Ms. Chang, Dean Kao, Provost Giguette, President Verret, VP Cheng, Dean Wang, Director Wu, and a XULA 2025 Huayu BEST Scholarship recipient, Caleb DeLaRouche.]
NCKU delegation invited to Dooky Chase’s Restaurant to have a lunch meeting with XULA faculty members [from left to right: Director Jiang, Dean Kao, VP Chen, Dean Wang, Director Wu, Chair Rousselle (Department of Languages), Mr. Karl Turner (President of A La Carte specialty foods, sponsor to XULA language programs), Director Roberts of the Exponential Honors Program , and Provost Giguette.]
The NCKU delegation visits New Orleans City Hall [from left to right: Director Jiang of XULA, Dean Kao, Director Walton, VP Chen, Director Sanga, Dean Wang, Director Wu.]
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