Taiwan Tech has continued to support higher education exchange between Taiwan and its diplomatic ally Paraguay through the Taiwan-Paraguay Polytechnic University (UPTP), which it helped establish. In early September this year, 87 third-year UPTP students arrived in Taiwan for an exchange programme. They will spend one year studying and participating in academic exchanges at Taiwan Tech, taking specialized courses in civil and construction engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial management and computer science and information engineering.

The incoming students comprise 18 civil engineering students, 26 electromechanical engineering students, 19 industrial engineering students and 24 computer engineering students. Paraguay’s Ambassador to Taiwan, Darío Filártiga Ruiz Díaz, welcomed the students at the airport, showing concern for their study plans and daily lives in Taiwan and witnessing the continued strengthening of long-standing educational cooperation between the two countries.

The UPTP Project Office organised a special airport reception to welcome UPTP students arriving in Taiwan.

A total of 87 third-year UPTP students arrived in Taiwan for an exchange programme this year. Paraguay’s Ambassador to Taiwan, Darío Filártiga Ruiz Díaz, welcomed them at the airport and enquired about their study plans and daily lives in Taiwan.

To help students familiarise themselves with the learning environment in Taiwan, the UPTP Project Office organized an orientation session. Ming-Jyh Chern, Dean of the College of Engineering at Taiwan Tech and Director of the UPTP Project Office, welcomed the students and introduced Taiwan’s cultural environment and geographical features. He also encouraged them to plan their courses according to their individual learning goals and make full use of Taiwan Tech’s teaching and learning resources as they adapt to campus life and make the most of their exchange experience.

Professor Ming-Jyh Chern, Dean of the College of Engineering at Taiwan Tech and Director of the UPTP Office, encourages students to make full use of the university’s teaching and learning resources to enrich their exchange experience in Taiwan.

In addition, Professor Tai-Ling Chin, Chair of the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering; Professor Ching-Chi Hsu, Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering; and Associate Professor Cheng-Jhe Lin of the Department of Industrial Management introduced their respective departments’ curricula and academic pathways, helping students understand their course options during the exchange. The Office of Academic Affairs also explained course registration procedures and other arrangements at the beginning of the semester, helping students become familiar with the university’s administrative systems and learning environment as quickly as possible.

Beyond academic arrangements, Taiwan Tech also places importance on exchange students’ adjustment to daily life in Taiwan. The university’s counselling and health services teams introduced students to campus resources, including psychological counselling and healthcare, to help those visiting Taiwan for the first time gradually settle into university life. For UPTP students, the exchange offers not only the opportunity to take engineering courses but also to interact and collaborate with Taiwan Tech faculty members and students, experience a different cultural and educational environment, and develop intercultural communication skills.

The Office of Academic Affairs explains course registration procedures and beginning-of-semester arrangements to help students become familiar with university systems and important academic requirements.

After arriving in Taiwan, UPTP students move into their dormitories, where staff explain accommodation rules and regulations.

Taiwan Tech’s collaboration with Paraguay in higher education has a long-standing foundation. Since signing a memorandum of intent for cooperation on the UPTP in late 2017, Taiwan Tech has been commissioned by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide ongoing support for faculty deployment, curriculum planning, the integration of teaching resources and scholarships. Through this cross-border educational partnership, Taiwan Tech helps Paraguay develop talent in engineering and technology.

UPTP currently offers four degree programmes: civil engineering, electromechanical engineering, industrial engineering and computer engineering. After completing foundational and specialised training in Paraguay, some students travel to Taiwan Tech for exchange study, deepening their professional knowledge and practical experience through cross-border learning at different stages of their education. In Taiwan, students take engineering-related courses and may also participate in company visits and industry exchanges, gaining first-hand insights into Taiwan’s technology sector and the links between higher education, industry and talent development.

UPTP has admitted eight cohorts of students to date and produced 296 graduates who have gone on to contribute to Paraguay’s industries and national development, demonstrating the tangible results of Taiwan - Paraguay higher education cooperation. The arrival of these 87 students marks another milestone in this long-term partnership. Taiwan Tech will continue to provide specialised courses, learning resources and intercultural exchange opportunities under the existing cooperation framework, helping students complete this stage of their studies in Taiwan and bring their newly acquired professional knowledge and exchange experiences back to Paraguay. In doing so, the university aims to further strengthen cooperation between Taiwan and Paraguay in higher education and talent development.