On November 17th, Taiwan Tech hosted the “The Love Formula: Sharing Achievements in Kenya” event along with the launch of “Transnational Education Serves Students”. Professor Cathy Weng from Graduate Institute of Digital Learning and Education led volunteer students to share their achievements and touching experiences in advancing digital educational support in Kenya last summer. Additionally, Professor Weng introduced the “Transnational Education Serves Students” program, aiming to facilitate online collaborative learning between students from rural areas in Taiwan and their counterparts in Kenya. This initiative embodies the core concept of educational collaboration for the greater good. The hope is for the volunteer team from Taiwan Tech to pioneer in public diplomacy, making a more significant influence.

A group photo of guests at the results presentation exhibition.

Taiwan Tech actively promotes academic and international exchanges. Professor Cathy Weng led a team of 17 student volunteers to Kenya in Africa for a 20-day “The Love Formula”. The volunteers guided Kenyan students in learning the emerging AI tools in recent years for translation and drawing, promoting the concept of “Internationalization of Taiwan's Rural Areas and Digitalization of Education in Kenya”.

The members of “The Love Formula Kenya Service Project” are mainly students from Taiwan Tech, with 2 students from National Tsing Hua University and 1 from National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences. During the project, the volunteers alternated teaching themed courses at Christ the King Girls' High School and St. Mary's Boys' High School in Kenya. The content included collaborative drawing on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Social Emotional Learning (SEL), information literacy, and AI picture books.

The volunteers from Taiwan Tech embarked on a mission to provide digital educational support at a secondary school in the town of Nyeri, Kenya.

Furthermore, an integral aspect of this endeavor was the cultural interchange between Taiwan and Kenya. Courses on the art of Taiwanese pearl milk tea production and performances showcasing ethnic dances not only enriched the understanding of Taiwanese culture among Kenyan students but also served as a means to facilitate cross-cultural exchange. This initiative allowed Taiwanese volunteers to enhance their foreign language competencies, broaden their global outlook, and embody the educational ethos of reciprocal learning, contributing to a mutually enriching environment for international academic interactions.

Yu-Hun Chen, a teaching assistant within the Taiwan Tech volunteer cohort, emphasized the limited exposure of Kenyan students to AI-based graphic illustration in their usual studies. Hence, they found it very intriguing. Even though they were unfamiliar with computer operations, they were brave in asking questions and attentive during the classes.

The volunteer team from Taiwan Tech guided Kenyan students in creating AI-powered picture books.

Sheng-Hao Lu, a volunteer from Taiwan Tech, reflected on the journey with profound appreciation. Despite the considerable disparities in local infrastructure and educational resources compared to Taiwan, the team dedicated their utmost effort. They aimed to utilize the program to assist Kenyan students, aspiring to provide them with a brighter future despite the existing challenges in their educational environment.

The volunteer team captured a group photo.

During the camp, Professor Cathy Weng also visited Gititu Secondary School for an exchange visit. The school principal expressed profound gratitude to the Taiwanese volunteers for their dedication to education in Kenya. He stated that Kenyan students would share their learning experiences with their parents upon completing the courses. Additionally, the parents would further share their children's educational achievements with neighbors and friends within the village, emphasizing that education transcends the school's boundaries. Professor Weng noted that such word-of-mouth transmission could expand the influence of education, enhance Taiwan's visibility, and serve as a successful model of public diplomacy.

Throughout this project, the team actively engaged in exchanges with Kenyan students. They discovered the Kenyan students' keen desire for knowledge, their proactive questioning outside conventional thinking frames during classes, and the clarity of their logical reasoning. This experience deeply impressed the volunteers, showcasing the students' enthusiasm for learning and their ability for self-directed education. It also spurred the volunteers to reflect on their own lives and reevaluate the strengths and weaknesses of Taiwan's educational system.

Professor Weng expressed gratitude for the Ministry of Education's International Schweitzer Program, which provided them with the opportunity to witness the needs in Kenya and directly offer assistance. She also expressed hope to expand future international exchanges and service learning possibilities, fostering connections between rural Taiwan and international rural areas. They aim to learn, share, and grow with African friends, stating, “As long as one is willing, the world can become a better place through love”.

Furthermore, she also mentioned her ongoing efforts, planning for a “Transnational Education Serves Students” in the future. The program will involve 75 Taiwanese high school, 75 university students, and 75 Kenyan high school students engaging in online collaborative programs and cultural exchanges. This initiative aims to expose rural Taiwanese children to international experiences while affording Kenyan students access to digital learning.

Professor Cathy Weng from Taiwan Tech shares her initial intentions and insights from the journey to Kenya.

The volunteer team from Taiwan Tech is dedicated to establishing meaningful connections within Kenyan communities. They aim to enhance the local schools' capacity to utilize information tools for teaching, foster curriculum innovation, and promote cross-cultural understanding. They aspire to invite greater participation and support for international academic collaboration, working towards realizing global citizenship values.

Professor Cathy Weng led the team to provide a day of service at a childcare facility.

The Taiwan Tech’s Art Gallery is currently exhibiting images captured by the camp students during their service period. This exhibition allows the attending audience to gain deeper insights into the digital education disparity currently faced by Kenya. “The Love Formula: Kenya Photography Exhibition” will be displayed from 9/18 to 9/20, open for public viewing daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.