Deepening Transnational Academic Linkages — Indonesia’s Universitas Pelita Harapan Visits NTNU College of Education
To deepen academic exchange between Taiwan and Indonesia and jointly explore educational transformation under the wave of digital technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI), a delegation from the Graduate School of Education (GSE) at Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH), Indonesia, paid an official academic visit to the College of Education at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) today (16th). The two sides focused on key issues such as curriculum innovation, academic research roadmaps, international standardization, and AI personalized learning, conducting a comprehensive benchmarking visiting.
The delegation was led by Dr. Niko Sudibjo, S.Psi., M.A., Dean of the Graduate Faculty of Education. Members included Dr. Ir. Samuel Lukas (Doctoral Program Chair), Dr. Budi Wibawanta (Teacher Professional Education Chair), HG Retno Harsanti, Ph.D. (Cand.), and administrative officers. The NTNU host team consisted of Dr. Huei-Mei Liu (Dean of the College of Education), Dr. Guo-Li Chiou (Associate Dean), Dr. Li-Yun Wang (Professor of Education), Dr. Shinmin Wang (Chair of Child and Family Science), and Dr. Zhi-Hong Chen (Associate Dean of the School of Learning Informatics), who engaged in a high-level academic dialogue.
Benchmarking a Global Top-30 Leader in Education
Dr. Huei-Mei Liu, Dean of NTNU’s College of Education, stated that the college has consistently maintained a top-tier global position, ranking within the top 30 worldwide and top 10 in Asia in the QS World University Rankings by Subject recent years. It enjoys high international renown in frontier fields such as educational psychology, assessment, and learning sciences. In the face of the AI era, the college actively promotes cross-disciplinary technological integration and possesses a powerful cultivation system for graduate elites.
Dr. Niko Sudibjo, Dean of UPH GSE, noted that UPH is affiliated with Indonesia’s renowned Pelita Harapan Education Foundation (PHEF), which encompasses 57 K-12 schools. UPH’s Teacher College is one of the largest Christian teacher education institutions in Indonesia, training nearly 1,000 students. UPH GSE recently launched a new Doctoral Program focusing on Educational Technology & AI-enhanced Personalized Learning. The core objective of this trip is to benchmark against NTNU to draw on its mature experiences in doctoral curriculum frameworks, high-quality publication outcomes, and quality assurance for timely degree completion, thereby establishing a doctoral cultivation path meeting international standards.
Three Tiers of Dialogue: AI and High-Quality Research Pathways
During the meeting, representatives engaged in highly constructive discussions centered on three core levels:
- Curriculum Level (Macro): The two sides explored how to effectively integrate AI and adaptive learning into the curriculum based on solid curriculum theory, aligning programs with international standards to enhance global graduate competitiveness.
- Research & Publication Level (Meso): The UPH team consulted NTNU on building a systematic research roadmap for graduate students, guiding and motivating them toward high-quality scholarly output in reputable international journals (such as SSCI, etc.) to expand their international academic impact.
- Program Management Level (Micro): The two institutions exchanged experiences regarding Quality Assurance (QA) systems, including research support structures and effective monitoring mechanisms to ensure that doctoral research is completed on time and to a high standard.
The meeting concluded with a warm exchange of souvenirs and a group photo. Guided by NTNU Student Ambassadors, the UPH delegation toured the historic landmarks of NTNU, experiencing firsthand the deep humanistic heritage of Taiwan’s prestigious education hub. This visit writes a brilliant chapter for NTNU in deepening its academic strategic deployment in the New Southbound region.
Srinakharinwirot University Delegation Visits Our College for Academic Exchange and Professional Empowerment
On April 27, the College of Education at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) grandly welcomed a delegation of 18 faculty members and graduate students from the Faculty of Social Sciences at Srinakharinwirot University (SWU), Thailand. The visitors participated in a comprehensive one-day “Overseas Study and Visit Program” held at our College of Education Building. Focusing on the dual core domains of “Psychological Counseling” and “Special Education,” the intensive program advanced mutual expertise through English-taught advanced courses and hands-on experiential workshops, effectively deepening the academic partnership between higher education leaders from Taiwan and Thailand.
The program was specifically curated to offer SWU faculty and students an empowering international learning experience, enhancing both theoretical knowledge and practical expertise in counseling and special education. Attaching great importance to this bilateral collaboration, our Dean, Professor Hwei-Mei Liu, personally served as the project director. Supported by our dedicated administrative team, the College meticulously customized cutting-edge academic modules designed to align with current international educational trends.
The morning session focused on the field of psychological counseling, led by Associate Professor Hsiao-Feng Cheng from our Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling. Under the title “Positive Psychotherapy in Taiwan: Theory, Research, and Experiential Practice,” Dr. Cheng seamlessly integrated her extensive clinical and academic expertise to deliver a profound analysis of the “PERMA model” and strengths-based approaches within positive psychology. She also presented localized Taiwanese research on positive psychotherapy frameworks designed for healthy aging populations. The workshop featured a creative art-media experiential activity, allowing Thai participants to explore the dimensions of well-being firsthand through artistic expression, eliciting highly enthusiastic and inspired feedback.
In the afternoon, the focus transitioned to special education, with Associate Professor Hsiao-Lan Wang from our Department of Special Education taking the helm to discuss “Inclusive Education”. Dr. Wang guided the participants through contemporary teaching methodologies adapted for diverse individual differences. She placed special emphasis on the practical application of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in general classroom settings, offering actionable, forward-looking strategic guidelines on how to support students with disabilities or diverse learning needs as they integrate smoothly into mainstream educational institutions. Following the lecture, she led the Thai faculty members and graduate students to engage in fruitfully rewarding academic exchanges with faculty and students from our Department of Special Education.
At the closing ceremony, our Dean, Professor Hwei-Mei Liu, remarked: “This visit by Srinakharinwirot University has not only empowered our Thai colleagues with advanced knowledge in counseling and special education, but it also serves as a pivotal cornerstone for establishing long-term academic camaraderie and joint research ventures.”
Beyond the rigorous academic training, the visiting Thai delegation experienced the warm hospitality and vibrant campus atmosphere for which our college is widely renowned. The event concluded seamlessly with a heartwarming group photograph, marking a successful and milestone chapter in transnational academic cooperation between Taiwan and Thailand.
COE Signs MOU with University of Bengkulu to Enhance Academic Exchange and Talent Development
The College of Education (COE) at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) and the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education at the University of Bengkulu (UNIB), Indonesia, officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on April 7. The ceremony, held in the First Conference Room of the Education Building, marks a significant milestone in academic exchange and educational cooperation between the two institutions.
The ceremony was presided over by Dr. Huei-Mei Liu, Dean of the COE at NTNU. To underscore the importance of this international partnership, a distinguished delegation from NTNU attended the event, including Dr. Hsiu-Mei Hsieh, Associate Vice President for International Affairs; Dr. Min-Chieh Chang, Associate Vice President for the School of Teacher Education; Dr. Guo-Li Chiou, Associate Dean of the COE; Dr. Hao-Ren Ke, Dean of the School of Learning Informatics; Dr. Shih-Chang Liao, Chair of the Department of Adult and Continuing Education; Dr. Chen-Yin Tung, Chair of the Department of Health Promotion and Health Education; Dr. Jun-Ren Lee, Associate Chair of the Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling; and Dr. Chih-Wen Wu, Associate Chair of the Department of Child and Family Science. The UNIB delegation was led by Dr. Abdul Rahman, Dean of the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, accompanied by lecturers Hananda Fitra Pranatha and Lenni Mantili Hutauruk.
During the welcome address, Dean Huei-Mei Liu shared the origins of the friendship between the two colleges and welcomed UNIB’s plan to encourage its outstanding lecturers to pursue doctoral degrees at NTNU. In his remarks, Dean Abdul Rahman emphasized that this MOU is just the beginning. He expressed a strong desire for more comprehensive collaboration across all departments under the COE. Furthermore, Dean Rahman highlighted his hope that this MOU would serve as a bridge to facilitate further discussions with School of Teacher Education at NTNU regarding cooperation in “Teaching Practicum.” He also looked forward to continuing the development of short-term student exchange programs.
Following the exchange of gifts and the official signing, the ceremony concluded with a group photo. Through this agreement, the COE aims to promote bilateral academic exchange and international initiatives, providing students and faculty with broader perspectives while elevating NTNU’s global academic influence in education.
NTNU College of Education and SWU Social Sciences Sign MOU to Deepen Thailand-Taiwan Educational Research and Exchange
The College of Education at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) and the Faculty of Social Sciences at Srinakharinwirot University (SWU), Thailand, officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the morning of March 23. This agreement marks a significant new chapter for both institutions in the realms of educational research and academic collaboration.
The signing ceremony was attended by a distinguished delegation from NTNU, including Executive Vice President Dr. Chen-Chung Yang, Vice President for International Affairs Dr. Yi-De Liu, Dean of the College of Education Dr. Huei-Mei Liu, Associate Dean Dr. Kuo-Li Chiou, and Distinguished Professor Dr. Hsiu-Lan Shelley Tien, alongside various department heads who gathered to witness this milestone.
Representing SWU was a delegation led by Dr. Tannikarn Soonsinpai, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, accompanied by Dr. Nathaporn Thaijongrak, Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs; Dr. Jiraporn Ruampongpattana, Deputy Dean for International Relations and Communications; and Dr. Anchalee Srikolchan, Chair of the Department of Social Studies.
Executive Vice President Dr. Chen-Chung Yang opened the ceremony by expressing a warm welcome and gratitude on behalf of NTNU. He noted that this MOU represents a crucial milestone in elevating the partnership to a university-wide level. Highlighting NTNU’s consistent ranking among the top 30 global universities in the field of Education, Vice President Yang emphasized his hope to drive innovative research in human and social behavior by strengthening social sciences and promoting “AI Transformation.”
Dean Dr. Huei-Mei Liu reflected on the origins of this partnership, which began in April 2024 through initial contact by former Dean Dr. Hsiu-Lan Shelley Tien. The foundation was further solidified when the SWU delegation visited Taiwan for the APATE International Conference hosted by the College of Education. Dean Liu expressed her enthusiasm for future substantive exchanges, particularly through Thai students participating in courses and teacher training programs at NTNU.
Dean Dr. Tannikarn Soonsinpai of SWU’s Faculty of Social Sciences stated that she felt deeply honored to establish a partnership with NTNU, an institution with an outstanding global reputation in teacher education and international research. She extended special thanks to Chair Dr. Anchalee Srikolchan for facilitating this collaboration and looked forward to using the MOU as a solid foundation to jointly promote innovation within the educational systems of both nations.
Under the framework of this agreement, the two universities will initiate concrete actions in student exchange and academic seminars. In late April of this year, 18 faculty members and graduate students from SWU are scheduled to visit Taiwan for an transdisciplinary empowerment program, signaling the continued expansion of the Thailand-Taiwan educational network.
The ceremony concluded successfully with a gift exchange and a commemorative group photo. Moving forward, NTNU and SWU will continue to deepen their partnership, fostering educational research and cultural exchange to build a firm foundation for cultivating education professionals with a global perspective.
Deepening International Academic Ties: Kent State University Delegation Visits NTNU College of Education to Expand New Frontiers in Educational Collaboration
To further strengthen higher education cooperation between Taiwan and the United States, a delegation from the College of Education, Health and Human Services (EHHS) at Kent State University (KSU) visited the College of Education at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) on March 26. The two institutions engaged in an “Academic Partnership Dialogue,” conducting in-depth discussions on teacher preparation, special education, and international research collaboration.
The KSU delegation was led by Dr. Alicia Crowe, Dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Services. Joining her were Dr. Amanda Johnson, Director of Gerald H. Read Center for International and Intercultural Education, and Dr. Ching-I Chen, Associate Professor from the School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences.
The delegation was warmly received by leadership from the College of Education, including Dean Dr. Huei-Mei Liu, Associate Dean Dr. Guo-Li Chiou, Dr. Shinmin Wang, Chair of the Department of Child and Family Science, and Dr. Chun-Yu Chiu, Associate Professor of the Department of Special Education. In her welcoming remarks, Dean Liu expressed her enthusiasm for this in-person exchange, noting that it serves as a vital step in implementing substantive cooperation in educational research and talent cultivation, particularly in special education and other key pedagogical fields.
Strategic Dialogue on Future Collaboration
During the academic dialogue, both parties explored several concrete areas for future partnership:
- Academic Pathways: Discussions focused on establishing “2+2” undergraduate dual-degree programs and Master’s articulation agreements to provide students with flexible international educational routes.
- Teacher Preparation and Clinical Practice: KSU shared its successful experience in embedding clinical practice into its core curriculum. Both sides discussed comparative research regarding teacher training structures and internship supervision.
- Special Education: Leveraging KSU’s expertise in autism support and inclusive classroom practices, the institutions discussed possibilities for joint faculty research and professional community collaboration.
- Mobility and Exchange Programs: Plans were proposed for short-term faculty mobility, visiting scholar exchanges, and student exchange programs to broaden the international perspectives of faculty and students at both universities.
About Kent State University
Founded in 1910, Kent State University is recognized by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as an “R1: Very High Research Activity” university. Its College of Education, Health and Human Services (EHHS) is dedicated to preparing educators, counselors, and leaders committed to equity and excellence. Through the Gerald H. Read Center, the college has a long-standing history of promoting global educational collaboration.
This visit not only strengthened the friendship between the two universities but also laid a solid foundation for future transnational research and practical development. Both institutions look forward to leading the future of global education through innovative and sustainable partnership models.
