During the ceremony, the Chair of Tunghai University "Lokah" Club, Social Work student John Ke, and volunteer group representative, Political Science student Jiaxin Pan, led all indigenous students to present traditional singing and tribal blessings. Members of the indigenous youth club of Nankai Technology University also performed a narrative song and dance of the Amis Malan tribe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ISRC was established to provide indigenous students with complete and efficient care in school, to integrate resources inside and outside the school, and to enhance learning efficiency through support in life, study, extracurricular activities and employment guidance. In conjunction with the Ministry of Education and the Council of Indigenous Peoples, the Center familiarizes indigenous students with relevant policies and encourages them to learn and to gain self-confidence.

President Wang said that Tunghai values aboriginal students and hopes to make the indigenous culture better-known through the platform of the ISRC. Combining the strength and resources of peer universities, greater impacts will be generated in promoting indigenous culture. Students are further encouraged to return to their hometown for service in the future. Currently, there were 84 indigenous students studying in Tunghai University. Most of them were from Amis and Paiwan, while those from Atayal, Bunun, Puyuma, Rukai, Tsou, Saidiq, and Taroko were also present on campus. The Tunghai Encouragement Fund was designed to ensure our indigenous students receive comprehensive care during their years of study at Tunghai.

 

 

 

 

The Tunghai ISRC display with images of the 16 indigenous tribes was designed by our students. It will serve as the hub of promoting the ‘ Indigenous Youth Circle’ and the ‘Lokoh Club’ on campus. Both communities are set up to connect the indigenous students and to promote the indigenous culture.

 

 

 

 

After the ceremony, Director Yun-Fang Chiu of the Indigenous Culture Industry and Social Work Program of National Chi Nan University was invited to give a speech on culture heritage and historical positions of the indigenous people. An exhibition of creative posters designed by indigenous youth was also arranged on site.

 

 

 

 

 

According to Deputy Director Ming-Yuang Wang of Overall Planning Department, MOE, indigenous student resource centers are found in 145 schools in Taiwan, providing one-stop service and consultations on study as well as on future employment.