After the pandemic, many campuses around the world still remained closed. For global students who cannot continue their studies due to the epidemic situation, NCKU launched the "Noah’s Plan" with long-term degree programs, short-term courses and research participation possibilities, allowing students to study in Taiwan without interruption. Since the outbreak of Covid-19, NCKU has successfully helped exchange students from Spain, Taiwanese students returning from France and the United States to continue their study, do research and use academic resources in NCKU campuses.
"Noah’s Plan" provides a number of projects, one of which is the “Fall 2020/Spring 2021 International Students Admissions Application.” The application will be accepted from now to June 19th, and the list of admissions will be released on July 31st. For Taiwanese students studying overseas, NCKU has launched the “Enrollment Project for Taiwanese Students Returning from Overseas Epidemic Areas.” Taiwanese students who are studying for a bachelor, master or Ph. D degree program in overseas university at present can apply for admission into NCKU. There are 51 undergraduate seats from 33 departments, 59 master quotas from 59 departments, and 12 PhD quotas from 9 colleges. The enrollment guide was announced on May 27th. The application period is from June 15th to June 22nd, and the list of admissions is scheduled to be released on July 21st.
Prof. Hsiao-Wen Wang, Vice President for International Affairs in NCKU, said that in consideration of the different study and research needs from the international students staying in Taiwan and Taiwanese students who are unable to study abroad as scheduled due to the epidemic, NCKU further established a "Non-degree Short-term Visit Project" and set up express contact windows respectively: Taiwanese students can contact the Office of Academic Affairs and international students can contact the Office of International Affairs. The project includes assistance in taking courses, obtaining credits, referring to professors in related fields to participate in research, or taking the guidance of NCKU professors to write a thesis, etc.
NCKU has signed sister school agreements with nearly 300 universities in 38 countries around the world, including Harvard School of Dental Medicine in USA, the University of California in USA, the Technical University of Munich in Germany, Waseda University in Japan, and Ewha Womans University in South Korea. Students from sister schools who apply for the study programs in NCKU will receive a 50% discount on tuition and miscellaneous fees. Students, whether from sister schools or not, are suggested to obtain the home school’s consent first before applying for this project.
Prof. Sun-Yuan Hsieh, Vice President for Research and Development in NCKU, actively helped the students in the affected areas. Miguel Edo, an undergraduate student from Spain who learned earlier this year that Taiwan has a safe environment, proactively sent a letter to apply for an exchange program and asked Prof. Sun-Yuan Hsieh to be his thesis advisor. During the nearly 3 months staying in Taiwan, Miguel Edo went to the laboratory every day to do research with local students and gained praises from Prof. Sun-Yuan Hsieh due to his active attitude. Prof. Sun-Yuan Hsieh shared with us his gladness to have the opportunity to help international students.
Another student of Prof. Sun-Yuan Hsieh had originally planned to study for a PhD degree in the University of Bordeaux, France and then returned to NCKU to complete a Dual-PhD degree program. However, due to the temporary school closures in France caused by coronavirus, the professor from the University of Bordeaux allowed students to return to NCKU. At present, the student is under the joint guidance of the French professor and Dr. Sun-Yuan Hsieh through online resources.
Prof. Hsiao-Wen Wang said that many foreign students in Taiwan have failed to return to their home country due to the epidemic outbreak; and that many Taiwanese students who were unable to proceed with their original outgoing study or exchange programs had returned to Taiwan or cancelled their trips. NCKU had received many letters and phone calls from concerned students and parents asking whether NCKU can provide an uninterrupted opportunity for learning. Taiwan’s positive epidemic prevention performance has attracted attentions and increased foreign students’ willingness to come to Taiwan.
Prof. Yu-Min Wang, Vice President for Academic Affairs in NCKU, said that NCKU has sufficient resources to fulfill the responsibilities of a global citizen. NCKU is willing to provide necessary assistance to local and foreign students who cannot pursue overseas studies as scheduled due to Covid-19. He hopes that the solid and stable academic environment and research energy of NCKU can attract outstanding talents to stay in Taiwan. He also regards these programs as opportunities to have more international academic cooperation and future possibilities.