To enhance international communication skills and expand students' global perspectives, Taiwan Tech held an "EMI Teaching Support Team Office" unveiling ceremony on October 24, 2023, with assistance from the Academic Exchange Fund in matching a team dedicated to English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) to the campus. The university anticipates that the participation of the EMI Teaching Support Team will inject new vitality into the cultivation of international vocational talent.

During the Taipei Tech EMI Teaching Support Team Office unveiling ceremony, the participating guests formed the infinite symbol, symbolizing the collaborative journey of Taipei Tech and the Academic Exchange Fund towards infinite possibilities, co-creating new values in vocational education. From right to left, the distinguished attendees included Dr. Zhi-Kai Yang, Advisor to the Academic Exchange Fund; Ms. Chun-Yi Chang, Director of the Academic Exchange Fund's English Teaching Program; Dr. Nai-Yuan Na, CEO of the Academic Exchange Fund; President Jia-Yush Yen; Vice President Chih-Chen Liu; and Dean Chin-Hwa Ho of the College of Applied Sciences.

Since the academic year 2021, Taiwan Tech has been implementing the Ministry of Education's Higher Education Bilingual Learning Program for cultivating international, high-level technology talents. This initiative actively assists in enhancing both industrial and national competitiveness. Starting from the academic year 2023, Taiwan Tech has partnered with the Foundation for Scholarly Exchange (Fulbright Taiwan, FSE) to facilitate EMI (English as a Medium of Instruction) teacher capacity-building, improve English proficiency among vocational students, and establish a bilingual campus. The university is committed to creating a bilingual educational environment for a technological university.

The EMI Teaching Support Team Office was officially inaugurated today, with the presence of Dr. Randall Nadeau, CEO of the Academic Exchange Fund (on the left), and President Jia-Yush Yen (on the right).

Dr. Randall Nadeau, CEO of the Academic Exchange Fund, expressed that while some educators may initially have reservations about English-medium instruction, the establishment of this team aims to provide teachers with resources and confidence through initiatives such as "EMI Teacher Capacity Building" and "EMI TA Training". This, in turn, will contribute to the development of a diverse and internationalized campus environment. For students, support will be offered through academic English consultation and guidance on English resumes and letters, among other courses. Dr. Nadeau hopes that through educational collaboration between Taiwan and the United States, this effort will contribute to the internationalization of vocational talent and make a meaningful contribution to the cultivation of bilingual talent in Taiwan.

Dr. Randall Nadeau, CEO of the Academic Exchange Fund.

President of Taiwan Tech, Jia-Yush Yen, mentioned that he initially thought students and faculty were not interested in participating in an all-English curriculum. To their surprise, the enthusiastic reaction from both students and faculty exceeded their expectations. He noted that starting from the 2023 academic year, Taiwan Tech was elevated to the exclusive national status of being the only technical and vocational university designated by the Ministry of Education for bilingual education in three key nurturing colleges, namely the College of Engineering, the College of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and the College of Management. This designation represents a significant milestone. Taiwan Tech is committed to injecting EMI resources into the vocational education system. By enhancing foreign language capabilities and combining them with the strong practical skills of vocational students, they aim to showcase the practicality of Taiwan's vocational talent development, thereby elevating the international influence of vocational education.

President Jia-Yush Yen of Taiwan Tech.

According to the regulations, the content delivery, teacher-student interactions, learning materials, academic support, learning outcomes presentation, and assessment within EMI courses should be conducted entirely in English, presenting a substantial challenge for both faculty and students. While instructors offering EMI courses may receive incentives and administrative resources, they are required to prepare English-language syllabi and instructional materials. As for students, they have the opportunity to acquire professional knowledge and skills through English-language instruction, which can be especially beneficial for those intending to pursue further studies abroad. However, students themselves must possess a certain level of English proficiency to effectively absorb the knowledge imparted in these courses.

Currently, the EMI Teaching Support Team Office comprises two advisors, three teaching assistants, and one administrative staff member, all dedicated to providing comprehensive support for Taiwan Tech's EMI teacher training, enhancing students' English language abilities, and assisting in-campus TA training. The office also periodically organizes relevant educational seminars, contributing to the internationalization of vocational talent development and establishing a stable foundation for growth in this field.

EMI Teaching Support Team Office Teaching Assistant Emma and Dr. Randall Nadeau, CEO of the Academic Exchange Fund, introduced Taiwan Tech's EMI teacher capacity-building seminars and student English tutoring activities.