TAICHUNG CITY, Aug 13 –The National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) Summer Camp 2025 brought together 14 international participants from diverse academic backgrounds for two enriching weeks of learning, exploration, and cultural immersion. Focusing on engineering advancements and Taiwan’s unique heritage, the program provided students with opportunities for both academic growth and invaluable personal experiences.
Participants engaged in laboratory assignments on artificial intelligence (AI) applications, such as pothole detection, and enjoyed industrial visits to leading companies like E-Lead Electronics. These experiences offered firsthand exposure to Taiwan’s contributions to science and technology. Cultural visits, which included explorations of Lukang Historical Town, the National Museum of Natural Science, and traditional Chinese painting workshops, further deepened participants’ understanding of Taiwan’s traditions and artistic expressions.
Hosted by NCHU, the program aimed to create a dynamic platform for students from various cultural and academic backgrounds to connect, collaborate, and learn from one another. The camp featured participants from eight countries across three continents. In Asia, students represented Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) in Indonesia, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Toyota Technological Institute (TTI) in Japan, Kasetsart University (KU) and Chiang Mai University (CMU) in Thailand, and Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNUHCM) in Vietnam.
From Europe, participants came from the University of Chemistry and Technology (UCT) in the Czech Republic and Wroclaw University of Science and Technology (WUST) in Poland. Participants from the Americas included students from the University of Cincinnati (UC) in the United States. By bringing together students from various countries, the camp promoted global networking that extended beyond the classroom, facilitating meaningful exchanges of knowledge, perspectives, and cultural values.
In alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the program emphasized the importance of quality education, cross-cultural understanding, and international collaboration. Through immersive activities, workshops, and community engagement, participants were encouraged to collectively address global challenges such as sustainability, health, and responsible consumption, while developing leadership skills and intercultural competence.
For many of the participating universities, particularly Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), this program provides an excellent opportunity to showcase global presence, strengthen academic collaborations, expand international networking, and reinforce commitment to global engagement. During the industrial visit to E-Lead Electronics, participants learned about the company’s joint ventures with global automotive brands such as BMW, Ford, and Tesla. This visit highlighted Taiwan’s role in cutting-edge automotive electronics and international collaboration.
In his opening speech, Prof. Ming Der Yang, the Dean of the College of Engineering, emphasized that through this program, NCHU aims to foster a spirit of global citizenship. This enables students not only to learn from one another but also to collaborate in addressing shared challenges. He highlighted that the true achievements of the program are reflected in the meaningful connections established, the cultural bridges strengthened, and the inspiration it generates for future international collaboration.
However, beyond the academic and cultural highlights, what stood out most was the spirit of faith and togetherness. For Nur Asma’ Arselan, the sole Muslim participant, the journey was a reminder that prayer and worship remain central, no matter where one travels. Friends and peers showed genuine kindness by waiting patiently during prayer times, helping to locate quiet spaces for worship, and ensuring that halal meals were accessible. These small but meaningful gestures transformed the experience into a spiritually uplifting journey, reinforcing the importance of maintaining one’s faith in every setting.
The camp concluded with a closing ceremony where students presented their projects and reflections. Despite challenging weather during the first week and a forecasted typhoon approaching right after the camp ended, the program unfolded smoothly, which many considered a blessing in terms of timing.
In simple words, the NCHU Summer Camp 2025, which was held from 31 July to 13 August 2025, was more than just a program. It was a journey of knowledge, culture, faith, and friendship. Participants returned home not only with new academic insights but also with a deeper appreciation for diversity, resilience, and the importance of holding onto spiritual values wherever life takes them.
Excerpt from a report written by Nur Asma’ Arselan, Faculty of Built Environment & Surveying, UTM