Guided by the Ministry of Education and hosted by Taiwan Tech, the “2025 Future Technical and Vocational Education Forum” centers on the theme “United for a Skilled Future: Unlocking TVET Resources and Partnerships.” The forum brings together faculty from technical and vocational institutions across Taiwan, bilingual education promoters, and international education experts to discuss three key topics: cultivating globally competent technical talent, fostering inclusive and internationalized campuses, and connecting external resources through partnerships. Participants share practical experiences and achievements in implementing bilingual education, collectively envisioning the future blueprint of Taiwan’s TVET system.

Director-General Yu-Huei Yang of the Department of Technological and Vocational Education, Ministry of Education (center), Taiwan Tech President Jia-Yush Yen (third from left), Professor Ying-Cheng Wu of Nanyang Technological University (third from right), Executive Director of Taiwan Tech's Office of Bilingual Education Initiatives and Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Shao-Ting Hung (second from left), Professor Hsiao-Yi Hou of National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism (first from left), Director Wen-Chun Lin of the Center for Teaching and Learning Development at National Taipei University of Business (second from right), and Director Tsui-Ying Lin of the Language Center at Chaoyang University of Technology (first from right) took a group photo.

The forum was officially opened by Taiwan Tech President Jia-Yush Yen, who remarked in his opening speech, “So many university presidents and bilingual education experts are here - this is more than just a forum; it’s a shared starting point for all of us in the technical and vocational field!” He emphasized the purpose behind Taiwan Tech’s three consecutive years of hosting the forum: to unite the strength of Taiwan’s technical and vocational institutions and showcase their professionalism and passion to the world.

Director-General Yu-Huei Yang of the Department of Technological and Vocational Education, Ministry of Education, delivered a speech in person at the event.

Director-General Yu-Huei Yang of the Department of Technological and Vocational Education, Ministry of Education, also attended the event and delivered a speech, emphasizing: “The Ministry of Education will continue to stand by every school along the way. We believe that language is a bridge to the world, and technical skills are the wings that help students soar - TVET students can surely fly globally!” She encouraged all educational partners to collaboratively develop a bilingual education model tailored to the TVET system while continuing to support teachers and help students enhance their language proficiency.

United for a Skilled Future – Unlocking TVET Resources and Partnerships. This is more than just a forum; it marks a shared starting point for all of us in the technical and vocational community!

The event featured three thematic forums, with the first focusing on bilingual education and the cultivation of globally competent technical talent. Shao-Ting Hung, Executive Director of Taiwan Tech's Office of Bilingual Education Initiatives and Dean of the Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, joined by Professor Hsiao-Yi Hou from National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism, Director Wen-Chun Lin from the Center for Teaching and Learning Development at National Taipei University of Business, and Director Tsui-Ying Lin from the Language Center at Chaoyang University of Technology, engaged in a discussion on developing EMI (English as a Medium of Instruction), ESP (English for Specific Purposes), and ESAP (English for Specific Academic Purposes) courses. The goal was to integrate language learning with professional skill development.

The session also featured a special keynote by Professor Ying-Cheng Wu of the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, who offered an international perspective. He proposed a bilingual education strategy of “Chinese for internal communication; English for global outreach”, encouraging the TVET sector to use language as a bridge to the world - sharing Taiwan’s hands-on innovations and R&D capabilities on the global stage. His insights strongly resonated with the audience.

Dean of International Affairs at Taiwan Tech Ying-Jung Yeh (first from right), Dean of National Pingtung University of Science and Technology Jik-Chang Leong (second from right), Dean of International Office J-Jane Weng at Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages (center), Dean of International Affairs at Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology Chi-Jo Wang (second from left), and Dean of International Affairs at Ming Chi University of Technology Chieh-Lan Li (first from left) discussed strategies for creating inclusive and internationalized campuses.

The second forum, themed “Fostering Inclusive and Internationalized Campuses,” featured insights from Dean of National Pingtung University of Science and Technology Jik-Chang Leong, Dean of International Office at Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages J-Jane Weng, Dean of International Affairs at Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology Chi-Jo Wang, and Dean of International Affairs at Ming Chi University of Technology Chieh-Lan Li. Together, they shared how their institutions are creating diverse, welcoming, and globally minded learning environments. Practical initiatives such as cultural exchanges, language partnerships, host family programs, and integration with USR (University Social Responsibility) projects help foster mutual understanding and deep connections between local and international students.

Professor Ying-Jung Yeh, Dean of International Affairs at Taiwan Tech, emphasized that whether operating from a “small” or “large” international office, encouraging faculty and staff to enhance their language proficiency and cultural sensitivity plays a crucial role in driving campus internationalization. She called on institutions to integrate EMI (English as a Medium of Instruction), hands-on technical training, and an internationalized campus culture to empower students to explore the global stage and launch bold career journeys.

The third forum, titled “External Resources and Partnership Collaboration,” focused on faculty development and student support. Taiwan Tech’s EMI Teaching and Learning Center partnered with the Foundation for Scholarly Exchange (Fulbright Taiwan) and the Google for Education team to share strategies for resource integration and sustainable cooperation models that can reinforce bilingual education. Professor Yu-Ming Hsieh, Executive Director of Taiwan Tech’s EMI Teaching and Learning Center, explained that while schools funded by the Ministry of Education’s bilingual education initiative have seen noticeable increases in EMI course offerings, the program’s competitive nature limits its reach. He advocated for additional support services to assist institutions not currently receiving funding. Hsieh recommended that schools allocate a fixed portion of their budgets toward freshman English curriculum reform and English proficiency development. He also proposed creating a strategic guide and reference toolkit for improving English skills at technical and vocational institutions. Professor Hsieh further illustrated how Taiwan Tech’s EMI Teaching Resource Center serves as a vital bridge between policy and frontline needs, offering services such as faculty training, classroom observations, teacher communities, and shared teaching materials to support educators and students to move forward.

An on-site exhibition area complemented the forum, showcasing each participating institution’s achievements and innovations in bilingual education, international campus development, and resource collaboration. Attendees not only gained valuable insights from the discussions but also experienced the energy and creativity that define Taiwan’s technical and vocational education.

This was more than a forum - it was a declaration of action to unite like-minded bilingual vocational people. Together, let’s keep the momentum going: “Support what you’ve learned, and let the world see Taiwan's vocational education!”

The event featured on-site exhibits from participating institutions, showcasing their achievements and innovative practices in bilingual education, inclusive campus development, and resource collaboration.

The Ministry of Education has established the EMI Teaching and Learning Center at Taiwan Tech to support technical and vocational institutions in advancing bilingual education. Tailoring services to the unique characteristics and needs of these institutions, the center provides customized resources for different stages of bilingual education implementation. It actively conducts teacher capacity-building training and encourages innovative teaching practices to help enhance TVET students’ English skills needed for internships and the workplace. More information and resources are available on the Taiwan Tech EMI Teaching and Learning Center’s official website: https://ntusttlc.ntust.edu.tw/.