NCKU and Purdue Join Hands to Welcome the Fifth Cohort of NCKU-Purdue Dual Degree Program Freshmen
Written by Amber Tyan. Image credit to NCKU Office of Internation Affairs.
Group photo of the student welcome reception for the fifth cohort of the Purdue Dual Degree Program (featuring Walk the Talk 2024)
NCKU extended a warm welcome to the fifth cohort of freshmen in the NCKU-Purdue Dual Degree Program. On the afternoon of September 4th, the Office of International Affairs, along with the Department of Electrical Engineering, the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, and the Department of Mechanical Engineering, jointly held a student welcome reception. Executive Vice President Dr. Hong-Chen Chen, lead the department heads and professors of NCKU, together with faculty from Purdue University, welcoming the freshmen and their parents to the NCKU-Purdue Dual Degree Program.
At the student welcome reception, English course projects such as "News Covers", "Magazine Columns", and "Sustainability Action Posters" were on display.
The student welcome reception featured English learning presentations by second-year students of the NCKU-Purdue Dual Degree Program—Walk the Talk 2024.
The first half of the student welcome reception featured English learning presentations by second-year students of the NCKU-Purdue Dual Degree Program—Walk the Talk 2024. The event showcased English class projects, including "News Covers", "Magazine Columns", and "Sustainability Action Posters". Through the creation of "News Covers" and "Magazine Columns," students were trained in English writing skills and critical thinking about current events. The "Sustainability Action Posters" reflected students' observations and concerns about their living environments, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The "NCKU Talks", modeled after TED Talks, trained students to effectively communicate ideas and experiences to an audience within a limited time on stage. In addition to developing their professional English skills, students were encouraged to engage with global issues, utilizing various media to express their ideas, and demonstrating how small actions can make a difference in the world.
Executive Vice President Dr. Hong-Chen Chen shared the history between NCKU and Purdue, instilling confidence in the students’ parents and encouraging the new students of the NCKU-Purdue dual-degree program.
In the second half of the reception, Executive Vice President Dr. Hong-Chen Chen shared the deep, 70-year history of collaboration between NCKU and Purdue University, as well as the outstanding achievements of the first cohort of the NCKU-Purdue Dual Degree Program students, instilling confidence in the students’ parents. In addition, he gave the freshmen encouragement via five key expectations: to build leadership and problem-solving skills, develop a lifelong learning ability, show commitment to one's work, uphold a high standard of moral character, and maintain a strong sense of social responsibility. He also conveyed NCKU President Dr. Meng-Ru Shen's expectations for the freshmen: Teamwork, Compassion, and Resilience.
Dr. S. Felix Wu, Dean of the College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, shared his 37 years of experience living in the U.S., encouraging students to maintain a positive attitude, reflect on what they have learned, and face challenges bravely. He also welcomed students to visit his office anytime for advice and consultation.
Chair of the Office of International Affairs, Dr. Sun-Yuan Hsieh, gave an introduction to the structure of the program curriculum.
Chair of the Office of International Affairs, Professor Dr. Sun-Yuan Hsieh, introduced the structure and curriculum of the NCKU-Purdue Dual Degree Program to both parents and students. The program includes a comprehensive and sequential 3+1+1 system. During the first three years at NCKU, students take at least one specialized course from Purdue University each year, participate in short-term intensive courses in the U.S. during the summer, and complete Purdue Engineering Online Courses (PEOC). In their fourth year, students study at Purdue University while preparing to apply for graduate school. Those accepted into Purdue’s graduate program can obtain both a bachelor's degree from NCKU and a master’s degree from Purdue University within five years.
Professors from Purdue and other corporate guests gave the freshmen a warm welcome.
Professors from Purdue University also extended their congratulations and warm welcomes to the freshmen via an online conference, including Prof. Marisol Koslowski, Associate Dean of the College of Engineering; Prof. Eckhard Groll, Head of the School of Mechanical Engineering; Prof. Milind Kulkarni, Head of the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Prof. William Crossley, Head of the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics; as well as NCKU’s distinguished alumnus and Professor at Purdue’s School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Dr. Tom I.P. Shih. Despite the time zone difference, they offered their blessings and encouragement to students and expressed gratitude to NCKU faculty and the students’ parents for their support.
Additionally, the event featured an invited online guest, Dr. Albert Chun-Cheng Liu, Founder and Chairman of Kneron Inc., and a distinguished young alumnus of NCKU. He shared 20 years of experience studying and starting a business in the U.S. and welcomed the freshmen as new members of the NCKU family.
Departments of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Information Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering held a joint student welcome reception with Purdue faculty.
Other attending faculty members on the day included Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Yui-Heng Li; Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Yu-Ting Wu; Vice Department Chair of the Department of Electrical Engineering, Dr. Chin-Lung Yang; Chair of the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, Dr. Shyh-Hau Wang, and Associate Chair Dr. Yeim-Kuan Chang; Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Chien-Sheng Liu, and Associate Chair Dr. Chih-Hsing Liu; Dr. Chia-Hung Hung from the Department of Mechanical Engineering; Dr. Shu-Ying Wang, Director of Division of Study Abroad; and English teacher Mr. Patrick Wyton. The freshman welcome event concluded in a joyful atmosphere, providing the first-year students with greater insight into their future life and educational opportunities at NCKU.
Purdue University is a distinguished public comprehensive university in the United States, particularly renowned for its research in engineering and agricultural sciences. Its College of Engineering consistently ranks in the top 10 nationally and is famously known as the Cradle of Astronauts, making it one of the world's leading engineering schools. In 1952, NCKU and Purdue University began a 14-year international research collaboration, which played a pivotal role in developing Taiwan's industrial talent and marked the beginning of NCKU's transformation into a world-class university.
For the academic year 2024, 28 students were admitted into the NCKU-Purdue Dual Degree Program, including 12 from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, 8 from the Department of Electrical Engineering, and 8 from the Department of Computer Science. Through a well-structured curriculum and the high-quality educational resources of both Taiwan and the U.S., this program brings a wealth of diverse and innovative energy, offering an alternative path for top high school students in Taiwan.
Provider:
NCKU News Center
Date:
2024-09-25