National Chung Hsing University Signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) for TaiwanICDF Overseas Volunteers Internship Program

Source: Pin-tzu Huang, Office of International Affairs of NCHU

Secretary General of TaiwanICDF, Mr. Timothy Tian Yi Hsiang, led Shang-Yi Huang, Special Assistant to the Secretary General of Taiwan ICDF, Hung-tzu Wang , Director of Humanitarian Assistance Department of Taiwan ICDF, and Yu-Chien Chang, Junior Specialist of Humanitarian Assistance Department of Taiwan ICDF to sign MoU with President of National Chung Hsing University, Dr. Fuh-Sheng Shieu, for TaiwanICDF Overseas Volunteers Internship Program at National Chung Hsing University on September 10th. Vice President for International Affairs, Distinguished Professor Chia-Lin Chang, and the Director of the Division of International Education of Office of International Affairs, Professor Kuo-Chih Liao, were both present to witness this landmark moment.

Founded in 1996, TaiwanICDF assists countries with diplomatic ties with Taiwan or friendly states to enhance their economic, social and human resources development, and to make use of Taiwan's accumulated experience and comparative advantages in the fields of agriculture, public health and medical care, environment, education, information and communications, as well as small and medium-scaled enterprises to respond to the development requirements of our partner countries. In view of the strong motivation of many Taiwanese tertiary youth to volunteer overseas, TaiwanICDF has designated 2021 as the original year for the " TaiwanICDF Overseas Volunteers Internship Program " and has invited National Chung Hsing University to become a partner institution, where accepted students can volunteer overseas for one semester. The students will not only receive internship credits, but also enjoy subsidies such as air tickets, living allowance and insurance provided by TaiwanICDF.

NCHU President Fuh-Sheng Shieu expressed his fervent hope that the overseas service is a great life experience that not only urges students to be independent and develop an international perspective, but also enhances their foreign language skills. He is very grateful that TaiwanICDF invited National Chung Hsing University to join the program, providing students a brand-new way to explore the world.

Secretary General Hsiang also said that more than half of the volunteers who have participated in the TaiwanICDF Overseas Volunteers Program over the years have responded enthusiastically after returning Taiwan, and have even changed their careers to non-profit or diplomatic work. Secretary General also mentioned that the TaiwanICDF Overseas Volunteers Internship Program is only available to students (preferably juniors to seniors, master's degree or Ph.D. students), and that students who are about to graduate can apply for TaiwanICDF Overseas Volunteers Program as long-term volunteers instead. After being interviewed and accepted, the volunteers will also receive subsidies such as air tickets, living expenses and insurance.

This co-operative volunteer program with TaiwanICDF has great significance for NCHU students. In the future, more resources and opportunities will be introduced to the University, providing unique experiences of overseas service.