Students from Taiwan Tech have been awarded full scholarships under the Ministry of Education's 'Art and Design Elite Overseas Training Program' for the 112th year. Among them, Yi-Ting Liu, a senior student in the Department of Architecture, has been granted an internship opportunity at the Cook Robotham Architectural Bureau (CRAB) in the United Kingdom. Additionally, Yin-Yu Luo, a second-year graduate student in the Department of Design, will be studying at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands.

Yi-Ting Liu, from the Department of Architecture, expressed that being accepted as an intern at the CRAB Architectural Bureau in the UK is a rare opportunity. Renowned for receiving the UK Stirling Prize, the bureau focuses on the combination of artistry and practicality, with expertise in architectural design, landscape environment design, and space/furniture design. Usually, it's easier to secure internships abroad if you are studying in a nearby region. Throughout the year working at the bureau, even though architectural projects can be time-consuming, Yi-Ting Liu expects to grasp the general workflow of projects and the operational methods of the firm. Additionally, due to the diverse range of international architectural projects, Yi-Ting Liu greatly anticipates this experience. Yi-Ting Liu expresses deep gratitude to the esteemed professors in the Department of Architecture - Taiwan Tech for their encouragement and assistance in participating in external international competitions. Notably, Professor Yan-Ting Chen provided many suggestions, including layout adjustments.

Yi-Ting Liu's work, titled “Purifier Plaza”, has merited the prestigious Honorable Mention in the 2021 Architecture Master Prize (AMP) and the distinguished Silver Award in the 2021 International Design Awards (IDA), which significantly contributed to his prominence in the competitions. The Architecture Master Prize is the Ministry of Education's third prize for rewarding students participating in international architectural competitions, including architecture, landscape, and interior design fields. Correspondingly, the International Design Awards (IDA) encourage innovative design across various categories, including architecture, interior, product, fashion, and graphic design.

Yi-Ting Liu, a member of the Department of Architecture – Taiwan Tech, garnered recognition for his work titled "Purifier Plaza," which received the Honorable Mention in the 2021 Architecture Master Prize (AMP) and the Silver Award in the 2021 International Design Awards (IDA).

The conceptual genesis of "Purifier Plaza" can be traced back to the spread of the COVID-19 virus, which introduced barriers between individuals and hindered interpersonal interactions. In response, Yi-Ting Liu conceived a multifunctional plaza in front of a Milanese church that serves as both a communal park during regular times, facilitating daily interactions between travelers and local residents, and a fashion show stage during fashion weeks. With the incorporation of air purification systems, the plaza offers fresh air for its occupants, contributing to the reduction of disease transmission. This adaptability renders the plaza suitable for public gatherings during the pandemic and beyond.

Yin-Yu Luo, from the Department of Design, is poised to embark on an educational journey at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. This esteemed institution stands as one of the world's foremost research-oriented technical universities and is renowned for its emphasis on design education. Yin-Yu Luo underscores the allure of the Dutch educational environment, which fosters independent thinking. She elaborates on the presence of academic mentors, individuals from academia and industry who assume a "tutor" role, guiding students in continuous self-reflection and self-discovery of their strengths within their design endeavors. This approach provides students with a clear understanding of their objectives and pathways for advancement.

The Department of Design – Taiwan Tech is pleased to announce the acceptance of Yin-Yu Luo, a dedicated second-year graduate student, to the prestigious Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands.

Yin-Yu Luo's academic journey has been enriched by her involvement in a research project under the tutelage of Professor Tong-Zheng Sung from the Department of Design – Taiwan Tech, funded by the National Science Council. Reflecting on her experience, she praises the influence of Professor Sung's pedagogical approach, which seamlessly integrates international perspectives and diverse materials, profoundly inspiring her scholarly pursuits.

Of notable significance, during her second year of postgraduate studies, Yin-Yu Luo embarked on a student exchange program at the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands. During this transformative period, she conceived the design project titled "Edu Talk." This innovative endeavor leverages the potential of artificial intelligence to assist educators in refining their teaching methodologies. "Edu Talk" is essentially a web platform that employs AI algorithms to offer insightful suggestions on the pacing and tone of recorded lectures. Faculty members can thus receive tailored recommendations to enhance their instructional delivery. This remarkable project, integrated into Yin-Yu Luo's portfolio for international evaluation, played a pivotal role in securing her coveted opportunity for advanced studies.

The EduTalk website was designed by Yin-Yu Luo during her exchange program at the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands.

Both Yi-Ting Liu and Yin-Yu Luo acknowledge the invaluable support they received from their seniors, who generously shared their experiences in competition preparations and provided guidance for exam readiness and local accommodation applications. Driven by this spirit of mentorship, both students are dedicated to perpetuating this culture of knowledge sharing by organizing seminars and lectures aimed at imparting their acquired insights to their junior peers.

The Ministry of Education's "Art and Design Elite Overseas Training Program" represents a fully-funded scholarship initiative designed to nurture advanced talents requisite for the growth of the domestic design and creative industry. The program provides beneficiaries with a comprehensive scholarship package, covering one year of tuition and living expenses. Tuition fees are disbursed based on the respective university's stipulations, while living expenses are provided as a fixed annual grant.

Yi-Ting Liu, set to embark on an internship at the CRAB Architectural Bureau in the UK, is poised to receive an annual living allowance of approximately USD 20,000 (equivalent to around TWD 600,000). Concurrently, Yin-Yu Luo, who will undertake her studies at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, is expected to receive a tuition grant of €20,560 along with a yearly living allowance of USD 18,000 (approximately TWD 1.25 million in total).