International Visitors

On July 11, 2025, a delegation from Tuvalu visited National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU), with the goal of continuing the dialogue previously started with Professor Kuan-Hui Elaine Lin from the NTNU Graduate Institute of Sustainability Management and Environmental Education. The seven-person Tuvaluan delegation, led by the Honorable Hamoa Holona, Minister for Education and Human Resources Development, and Her Excellency Lily Tangisia Faavae, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Tuvalu to the Republic of China (Taiwan), also aimed to establish collaborative partnerships between the Tuvaluan Ministry of Education and NTNU to enhance the quality of Tuvalu's human resources.

This visit builds upon a foundation of ongoing bilateral engagement. In August 2024, Associate Professor Kuan-Hui Elaine Lin traveled to Tuvalu to participate in the country's inaugural Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF) workshop. The event convened officials and scholars from Palau, the Marshall Islands, Japan, the United States, and other nations to explore topics including climate change adaptation, coastal protection, and sustainable development in small island states. During the workshop, Professor Lin shared Taiwan's experiences in climate education and regional collaboration. She also engaged in in-depth exchanges with Tuvaluan government officials, as well as women and youth representatives. These interactions laid the groundwork for further communication with Tuvalu's Ministry of Education and opened the door to future collaborations in higher education.

Honorable Hamoa Holona stated that the Tuvaluan Ministry is committed to providing students with the best opportunities for tertiary education. According to Her Excellency Lily Tangisia Faavae, there are currently 30 degree-seeking Tuvaluan students in Taiwan, with the number expected to grow in the coming years.

The delegation noted that although the Taiwanese government already offers several types of scholarships for international students, competition for these limited opportunities remains intense. Consequently, one of the primary issues raised during the meeting was whether NTNU could offer additional scholarships specifically for Tuvaluan students.

Another major challenge faced by international, non-Mandarin-speaking students is the limited number of English-Medium Instruction (EMI) courses. Her Excellency Faavae pointed out that not only are EMI courses limited, but some English-taught programs have also been discontinued—impacting some Tuvaluan students already studying in Taiwan.

In response to these concerns, NTNU representatives proposed several potential solutions. Originally a teacher-training institution, NTNU has evolved into a comprehensive university. Executive Vice President Kwun-Min Chen highlighted that NTNU provides opportunities not only for degree-seeking students but also for those interested in short-term programs. The NTNU Mandarin Training Center, the largest and most prestigious Chinese language center in Taiwan, was also introduced as an ideal option for students wishing to learn Mandarin.

Professor Chiung-Huei Joan Chang, Associate Dean of the NTNU College of Liberal Arts, and Associate Professor Kuan-Hui Elaine Lin further introduced the Environmental Humanities Certificate Program—Taiwan's first cross-college EMI curriculum in this field. Jointly developed by the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Science, this program fosters interdisciplinary learning by integrating the humanities, natural sciences, and digital technology. It introduces students to the emerging field of environmental humanities, exploring how literature, philosophy, history, and the arts engage with environmental issues. The program also offers intensive summer courses, making it accessible for short-term study.

Professor Yi-De Liu, NTNU Vice President for International Affairs, shared that international students accounted for 12.05% of the university's total enrollment in 2024, ranking NTNU first among all public universities in Taiwan. To meet the growing demand for English-based education, NTNU has been actively expanding its EMI offerings, now providing more than 800 EMI courses each academic year. The university also offers the Global Studies Program, an all-English-taught undergraduate program designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of Taiwan and Asian societies while cultivating a global perspective and interdisciplinary expertise in the humanities and social sciences.

To support outstanding students, NTNU offers a robust scholarship program, including a one-year tuition waiver for undergraduate students, a two-year waiver for master's students, and a three-year waiver for doctoral students.

The Tuvaluan Ministry of Education delegation’s visit underscores their strong interest in Taiwan's educational resources and highlights NTNU's sustained efforts and commitment to international collaboration in higher education. Moving forward, NTNU aims to maintain close ties with the Tuvaluan Ministry of Education, promoting tangible initiatives in curriculum development and talent exchange—working together to advance education across the South Pacific region.