OIA-organized event attracts a large number of international and local students

The 24 February 2022, the day when Russia started its invasion of Ukraine, has been called a "turning point in history”, "the crucible of the new world order”, "a wake-up call for a sleeping free world” in international media. Like many others, Professor Karl Akbari, a German national teaching at the School of Management, experienced feelings of shock, disbelief, and helplessness on that day.
 

But while for people in Europe, the war has become a brutal reality that is affecting everybody’s lives, in Taiwan – in spite of the huge support for “Taiwan stands with Ukraine” activities –, the war seemed to become more and more of a media event that was swiped through on mobiles phones. Professor Akbari felt that an international university like Taiwan Tech should not be indifferent to a historical event of such global importance and suggested holding a public discussion where Taiwan Tech students could share their perspectives.
The Dean of International Affairs, Professor Yvonne Yeh, immediately agreed: “It is important to raise the awareness for the situation and engage the Taiwan Tech community. Whatever the opinions are, we invite everybody to share, listen and learn.” The event was held on the evening of 17 March 2022, with a turnout of more than 50 students from 15 different countries, far exceeding expectations. Professor Akbari, who moderated the event, first gave a brief introduction to the complicated history of Ukraine that was helpful for understanding the background of the current conflict.
In the following, a passionate, at times controversial, but throughout respectful and informed discussion span out between participants, touching upon difficult topics like the social and political environment in Russia, NATO involvement, double standards of the Western world, the use of sanctions, the defense of democratic values, information wars and propaganda, and many more.

The perspectives from Central Europe, Russia, India, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and others showed that Taiwan Tech students are far from indifferent to what is happening in Ukraine. 

After two hours, Dean Yeh had to cut short the debate which continued in small groups on the university’s floors afterward: “I am very proud that Taiwan and Taiwan Tech have created an atmosphere where everybody dares to speak up, everybody listens, everybody respects each other’s opinion.”, she said in her closing remarks. Nothing needs to be added.