On Dec. 22, 2017, the “Tunghai University International Internship Signing Ceremony” was held at the convention room of the Institute of Continuing Education. Tunghai President Mao-Jiun Wang signed the agreement with companies, including PwC Taiwan, Stella International Holdings Limited (HK), Taiwan Optical Platform, Cheng Shin Rubber Ind. Co., Ltd., Taiwan Hon Chuan Group, Mobiletron Co., Ltd., GE Technology Inc., Chiao Fu Enterprise Co., Ltd., Sunny Bank, MDS Group, Fong-Yi Group.
Tunghai University cooperated with the Corporate Synergy Development Center in order to develop an inter-departmental and inter-university “International Professional Talents Mobility Platform.” The platform is affiliated with the “Contact Taiwan” program of the Ministry of Economic Affairs which has established partnerships with more than 1200 companies. Under this initiative, students will have the opportunity to do internships in Italy, Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, and so on.
The group photo of the representatives from Tunghai University and 12 companies
In his speech, Tunghai President Mao-Jiun Wang stated that “Professor En-De Hsu has led the International Internship project for more than 13 years and this project helps students not only to widen their horizon, but also understand real work environments and get opportunities for internships. In the last two years, Professor Hsu has increased the range of internships by establishing a mutual cooperation system between national and foreign companies and by including the Tunghai Care Camp under the internship program, which has made the project even more meaningful.” President Wang thanked the companies for providing students with such diverse opportunities for internships and gave special thanks to the Fong-Yi Group for their financial support for the Center and the adjoining garden.
The Director of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Jian-Ping Wang, agreed with Prof. Hsu’s concept for the project, and recommended that Italian companies could cooperate with Tunghai University. He mentioned that the cultivation of talent is essential for Taiwan, and that is why the Ministry of Economic Affairs has already worked with National Taiwan University and National Chengchi University on internship opportunities, and at this time would also cooperate with Tunghai University to bring more overseas students to Taiwan for their career development. With overseas students’ language advantages, they would create more opportunities for new collaborations. So far, he noted, there are about 7000 members of Contact Taiwan, including the Taiwan Trade Development Council, which promotes this project and will work with Prof. Hsu to foster more cooperation between the university and companies better.
Vice-general manager of Corporate Synergy Development Center, Wei-Zheng Zhan, stated that the Center currently focused much attention on the promotion of the Lean Concept. The Center has cooperated in this respect with Tunghai University, as well as Fengchia University and National Chi Nan University, and he also hoped that overseas students could stay in Taiwan and join the domestic talent pool for companies. In addition, with the support of Ministry of Economic Affairs, they will promote this project to more universities and departments.
The Photo of representatives at the Opening Ceremony of the Tunghai University International Internship Center
In addition, the chairman of Mobiletron Co., who is also the President of the “International Internship and Cooperation Association,” said that the Tunghai International Internship Development Center will be a practical platform, which provides young people with international mobility and practical experience. The connection between universities and enterprises is helpful to resolve the problem of companies finding it difficult to find skilled employees and also to foster social responsibility. Furthermore, he mentioned that young people are the most important element for the sustainable development and they are the future of the country, the society, and the enterprises. He concluded by thanking the platform for giving the government, enterprises and young people new expectations and a win-win situation.”
The representatives, who signed the agreement included Mr. Ming-Jing Yang (Director of PwC Taiwan, Taichung), Ms. Yi-Yen Zhan (Section Manager of Stella International Holdings Limited (HK)), Ms. Shu-Ling Lin (Chief Financial Officer of Taiwan Optical Platform), Mr. Zhone-Ren Huang (Vice General Manager of Cheng Shin Rubber Ind. Co., Ltd.), Mr. Yun-Zhang Liu (Executive Director of Taiwan Hon Chuan Group), Mr. Yu-Ching Tsai (Chairman of Mobiletron Co., Ltd.), Mr. Zhang-Kun Wang (Chairman of GE Technology Inc.), Ms. Ya-Fen Hsu (Vice-General Manager of Chiao Fu Enterprise Co., Ltd.), Mr. Yang-Yu Chen (Vice General Manager of Sunny Bank), Ms Yu-Ting Gan (General Manager of MDS Group), and Mr. Chong-Zhe Chiu (General Manager of Fong-Yi Group). Besides, Mr. Jian-Ping Wang (Director of the Ministry of Economic Affiars), Mr. Wei-Zheng Zhan (Vice general manager of Corporate Synergy Development Center), Ms. Pei-Chung Chen (Manager of Yungshin Global Holding), Mr. Chien-Ye Hsu (Accountant of PwC Taiwan), Ms. Shu-Hua Hong (Accountant of PwC Taiwan), Mr. Shi-Hua Kuo (Accountant of KPMG), Mr. Ching-Hua Tsai (Chairman of GPM), Mr. You-Kuang Shin (Chairman), Mr. Chung Peng (Chair of the Placement and Alumni Office), Mr. Hong-Wei Yen (Dean of the Office of International Education and Programs), Mr. Kang-Jian Peng (Dean of General Affairs), Mr. Yi-Long Ke (the Chair of Personnel Office), Prof. Tsai-ding Lin, Prof. En-De Hsu, Prof. Jiun-Ru Liu, and Prof. Paolo Carbone of the Università degli Studi di Perugia were the witnesses of the signing ceremony. They will develop a “Sustainable Talent Pipeline” to cultivate people for the international work environment and to promote the cooperation between higher education and companies.
After the signing ceremony, the opening ceremony of the “International Internship Development Center” and the “Fong-Yi Garden” was held in the east-courtyard of the Management Department and it symbolized a milestone in the new-era cooperation between education and business. The Fong-Yi Group donated plants to beautify the garden and turn it into a comfortable space for the internship consulting and interaction between students and professors. The Group will also provide Tunghai students with training to maintain the garden and with internship opportunities. In this way, students can receive the specific education before they enter the company.
During the opening ceremony, Mr. Fu-Yuan Chu, the alumnus from Tunghai’s EMBA program prepared coffee for the guests and spoke about the art of tasting coffee. The ceremony was also a reunion for Tunghai alumni and provided an opportunity for outstanding people from different areas to interact with one another. Finally, the ceremonies ended successfully on the winter solstice.