The Center for General Education at Taiwan Tech held the inaugural “Empathy Social Lab: CGE Social Practice Week” from May 5 to 9. Featuring two main themes, “Handicrafts X Empowerment – Sustainable Practices of the Reed Women’s Power” and “Voices from the Mekong”, the event integrated social practice, bilingual learning, sustainable development, and international cultural exchange into the curriculum and campus activities, creating a comprehensive learning environment that combines knowledge and action.

A group photo of the Center for General Education at the opening ceremony of the “Empathy Social Lab: CGE Social Practice Week.”

The themed activity “Handicrafts X Empowerment – Sustainable Practices of the Reed Women’s Power” was organized by the Spring Bud Public Welfare Innovation Development Association. It combined exhibitions, markets, and interactive workshop experiences to convey the concepts of the circular economy and women’s empowerment. The association also used recycled coffee bean bags as materials to design and create various daily products and held bilingual workshops on making versatile bags. Students personally transformed discarded coffee burlap bags into sustainable and fashionable bags or totes, encouraging them not only to reflect on the connection between personal consumption behaviors and environmental responsibility but also to develop understanding and practical skills related to social issues.

The Spring Bud Public Welfare Innovation Development Association held a “Handicrafts X Empowerment – Sustainable Practices of the Reed Women’s Power” workshop where students personally transformed discarded coffee bean burlap bags into sustainable and fashionable tote bags, encouraging them to reflect on the connection between personal consumption habits and environmental responsibility.

Students happily showcase the handmade bags made from coffee burlap sacks.

The workshop incorporated bilingual teaching, attracting participation from international students.

Group photo of the “Handicrafts X Empowerment – Sustainable Practices of the Reed Women’s Power” workshop.

The other main theme, “Voices from the Mekong,” was held in collaboration with the Mekong Cultural Hub (MCH), featuring a screening of the short film collection Mekong 2030, directed by filmmakers from Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Thailand. The films explore the relationship between humans and the natural environment in terms of coexistence and symbiosis. Taiwan Tech also invited Sean Chadwell, the American director of the Blue Chair Film Festival from Laos, and Wayla Amatathammachad, director of the Prayoon for Art Foundation in Thailand, to serve as lecturers and panelists. They offered an in-depth analysis of the Southeast Asian film industry and local arts’ challenges related to climate change and social issues from the perspective of “Artistic Narratives of the Mekong and Environmental Change.” Through this cross-cultural exchange and reflection, students expanded their international perspectives and gained practical strategies and innovative approaches drawn from the context of art and culture.

The “Voices from Mekong” event explored how the film industry and local arts in Southeast Asia respond to climate and social challenges through the short film collection Mekong 2030. From left to right: Associate Professor Shih-Fang Chung from the College of Communication, National Chengchi University; Sean Chadwell, Director of the Blue Chair Film Festival; Wayla Amatathammachad, Director of the Prayoon for Art Foundation; and Associate Professor Yen Hsu from the Center for General Education.

The “Voices from the Mekong” lecture series fostered cross-cultural exchange and reflection, enabling students to broaden their understanding of international issues.

Taiwan Tech President Jia-Yush Yen stated that Social Practice Week is a meaningful event. He hopes that Taiwan Tech students will not only excel in their professional fields but also possess interdisciplinary knowledge and an international perspective. He expects students to gain rich learning experiences and personal growth through the series of activities. Taiwan Tech is committed to promoting bilingual education and the concept of social practice, supporting students with diverse initiatives to broaden their learning horizons and encouraging them to develop a global outlook and the ability to take action through interdisciplinary learning.

President Jia-Yush Yen of Taiwan Tech delivered a speech.

A German student from the Department of Industrial Management, after watching Mekong 2030, expressed that the directors from the five Southeast Asian countries cleverly conveyed the concepts of environmental conservation and cultural heritage through storytelling rather than preaching, inspiring the audience to deeply reflect on these issues. Another student, Li, from the Graduate Institute of Smart Manufacturing Technology, shared that participating in the “Handicrafts X Empowerment” workshop not only gave him his first experience with handmade sewing - as a Mother’s Day gift - but also led him to reflect on environmental protection through the reuse of coffee bean bags and to understand the challenges women face in the workplace. This experience helped him cultivate social responsibility and influence through everyday consumption choices.

The “Empathy Social Lab: CGE Social Practice Week” is the Center for General Education’s first interdisciplinary exhibition event held during the week, breaking through classroom boundaries by integrating social practice into daily learning environments. The event not only showcased the collaborative results between the campus and nonprofit organizations but also promoted positive interactions of shared learning, empathy, and co-creation among faculty, students, and the public. Moving forward, the Center for General Education will continue to focus on social practice, deepening students’ understanding of sustainable development and global citizenship issues, and building a learning platform grounded in local action and global vision.

Reed Women’s Power Secretary-General Ning Hong (right) introduces the exhibition content to Vice President Jhy-Chern Liu (left).

Vice President Jhy-Chern Liu engages in a discussion with Wayla Amatathammachad, Director of the Prayoon for Art Foundation.