National Taiwan University (NTU) is to offer subsidies to students who wish to do international internships during the summer and winter holidays, NTU president Chen Wen-chang (陳文章) said on Sunday.
The new subsidy program is part of the university’s four aims for student development — building a solid and refined academic foundation, increasing the breadth of students’ knowledge, expanding students’ international outlook, and integrating learning and practical applications, Chen said.
The school would also foster an environment where students could build friendships, cultivate a resilience against frustration and develop the courage to pursue their dreams, he said.
Photo: CNA
This acadmic year, NTU has 4,497 freshers going into bachelor degree programs, and 5,932 new graduate students entering master’s and doctoral degree programs.
During the opening ceremony, NTU alumni talked about their experiences via video recordings, and videos from nonprofit social welfare organizations were shown to “encourage students to exert their influence and use their own strength to help others,” Chen said.
“Through subsidizing the cost of going to top foreign universities, companies and non-governmental organizations for internships, we hope to assist students expand their international outlook,” he said.
Growth as a student is full of challenges, but frustrations and setbacks can also be learning opportunities, he said.
“Having a positive attitude and cooperating with people who are different from ourselves can help us cultivate our own strengths, and can lead to lifelong friendships and partnerships,” Chen said.
Chen said he studied abroad in 1987, when about 80 percent of Taiwanese students had some experience of studying abroad, but that it has dropped to about 20 percent in recent years.
“This is because Taiwan’s overall level of development has improved, and digital technology has developed to the point where there are now more short-term exchanges,” Chen said.
NTU would invest NT$100 million (US$3.12 million) over the next five years to facilitate international student exchanges, he said, adding that the program is expected to benefit 400 students each year.
Through the subsidies, students would be able to undergo internships at non-governmental organizations, companies and universities in Asia, the US, Canada and Europe, for four to eight weeks, he said.
Those hoping to receive subsidies should propose a plan, so that their application could be considered not just on the basis of their academic performance, he added.
About NT$50,000 would be available per student to assist with travel and insurance costs, Chen said, adding that the number of students receiving subsidies would be increased in the years to come.
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