Taiwanese educators explore collaboration with Penn College

Building on a relationship established last year, representatives from one of Taiwan’s top technology universities visited Pennsylvania College of Technology this week to discuss potential bilateral educational exchange opportunities.

National Formosa University officials Shouyin (Ian) Yang, vice president for international affairs; Yen-Kun (Robert) Lin, director of the international student affairs division; and Yu Hsuan Shen, assistant professor in the department of aeronautical engineering, spent a day experiencing Penn College’s high-tech learning labs and engaging with campus stakeholders.

“It was a valuable opportunity to deepen our relationship with NFU, a school that shares Penn College’s commitment to an applied technology education rooted in the needs of industry,” said Patrick Marty, chief government and international relations officer. “The similarities in mission and the ethos of collaboration exhibited by the leadership of both institutions provide a strong platform for cooperative endeavors.”

Last fall, Marty and Anthony J. Pace, vice president for enrollment and student success, toured seven Taiwanese universities as guests of the Ministry of Education and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office. At NFU, they signed a memorandum of understanding that called for the institutions to explore faculty member and student exchange/internships, joint research and development activities, professional language teaching and cultural exchange opportunities, and cooperative degree and certificate programs.

During their Penn College stay, the NFU officials advanced the MOU by proposing initiatives that would send Penn College students to Taiwan for short-term internships and bring NFU students to Penn College for a month of study. Cultural immersion and language classes would complement the hands-on technical experience offered by both programs.

“We are a match for Penn College,” Lin said in discussing the opportunity provided by the Taiwan Experience Education Program at NFU. It offers scholarships to foreign students from partner schools to participate in short-term professional internship projects at NFU labs. Students can choose from over 50 subject areas for the internship, ranging from machine diagnosis to network security.

Shen outlined a summer study collaboration concept that would allow NFU students to experience technical programs at Penn College. Her example identified the possibility of avionics and aircraft engineering students enjoying experiential learning opportunities through Penn College’s aviation programs.

According to Shen, any summer program could become a pathway for greater student mobility, expanding opportunities for one-semester or one-year student exchanges between NFU and Penn College.

“The discussions we had with the NFU representatives proved to be quite fruitful,” Pace said. “Of course, before any formal exchange programs can be implemented, many details and logistical challenges must be considered and addressed. We are, however, encouraged by the dialogue and the spirit of cooperation that exists between the parties. It was wonderful to host Ian, Robert and Yu Hsuan, and our conversations will continue.”

The NFU officials toured the college’s Lumley Aviation Center and several areas on main campus, including the Shell Polymers Rotational Molding Center of Excellence, the Larry A. Ward Machining Technologies Center, the Lycoming Engines Metal Trades Center, the Gene Haas Center for Innovative Manufacturing, and labs devoted to civil engineering technology, emergency management & homeland security, physical therapy assistant and dental hygiene.

Their stay also included a visit to Little League International and the World of Little League Museum. A team from Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, won the 2025 Little League Baseball World Series.

Located in eastern Taiwan, NFU enrolls about 12,000 students and is organized into four colleges: engineering, electronics and information, management, and applied arts and sciences. Like Penn College, it is known for its emphasis on practical education, industry-academia collaboration and holistic student development.

For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email Admissions or call toll-free 800-367-9222.