Come to the backyard of Taiwan, and get to the rest of the world.

In the age of globalization, Taitung is not far and the US is close by. To those with abilities and desires to challenge, the peripheral can be the core. Despite locating at “the backyard of Taiwan”, the departments and graduate institutes of National Taitung University are well planned with unique characteristics. Apart from outstanding courses on teachers’ qualification from former teachers college, NTTU also develops Taiwan’s only Graduate Institute of Children’s Literature and the Department of Public and Cultural Affairs (including Master’s program of Austronesian Studies and Master’s program of Regional Policy and Development). In 2008, NTTU received funding from the Ministry of Education for Teaching Excellence. Studying in Taitung not only enjoys the beautiful scenery, but also broadens students’ horizons with a wide range of scholarships and domestic student exchange programs. We bring out the best in tomorrow’s leaders to stand taller and look further ahead.

International Exchange Programs

The NTTU has sister school arrangements with University of the West in the US, Sunchon National University in Korea, Sendai University in Japan, Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City and University of Social Sciences & Humanities in Vietnam to provide opportunities for students to study abroad on exchange student programs. Each year, 35 students are awarded a scholarship of NT$20,000 – NT$80,000 for short-term exchanges during the summer, and 9 students are subsidized up to NT$300,000 for full-time exchanges for one semester or one year.

Domestic Student Exchanges: A Pioneering First

Apart from providing students opportunities to study abroad through student exchange programs, we are also the first in Taiwan to provide “Domestic students exchanges” for students of NTTU to study at other renowned universities in Taiwan for one year. Successful applicants are able to fulfill their four year studies at two universities, this includes more opportunities to learn from different professors and to get to meet more friends while broadening students’ horizon. To date, there are 10 universities around Taiwan in the exchange program, namely NTTU, National Cheng Kung University, National Central University, National Chung Hsing University, Shih Chien University in Kaohsiung, Taipei National University of the Arts, Tunghai University, National Chengchi University, Fu Jen Catholic University and National Taichung University.

Striving for Outstanding International Students to Taitung

For students who have no experience in overseas study, international students on campus provide them a way to meet other cultures and stimulate local students to walk out to the world. With the increase of foreign students at NTTU, academic departments and administration offices have actively enhanced teaching and service efficiency. NTTU has been keen on inviting outstanding foreign students from abroad with favorable conditions, which in turn stimulated the growth of foreign students. NTTU provides unprecedented opportunities for students to go global and invite world excellence to Taitung.

The Graduate Institute of Children’s Literature

Established in 1996, the Graduate Institute of Children’s Literature is the only academic institution with interdisciplinary curriculum design: train talents in children’s literature, provide academic research resources, and promote theories and practices in reading. The Graduate Institute of Children’s Literature provides Doctoral and Master’s degree programs, summer class and weekend class in Taipei. NTTU provides students from all backgrounds dedicated to children’s literature an opportunity for advanced study and develop the potential of teachers with language education. The Graduate Institute of Children’s Literature has been well-received and greatly recognized over the past decade.

Department of Public and Cultural Affairs

The Department of Public and Cultural Affairs includes public affairs and ethnic cultures. The geographically and politico-economically marginal location of Taitung and the wide diversity of ethnic cultures provide the best environment for education and discussion of public and cultural affairs. With ‘Practicum in Public Affairs’, ‘Anthropological Fieldwork Practicum in Cultural Field Study’, and ‘Project Planning and Evaluation’ courses, students experience a variety of cultures in real life settings. The department serves as a platform for NTTU to promote exchanges with ethnic groups and new immigrants, and establish cooperation opportunities with the local government and local communities. Our continuous discussions on public affairs and cultural issues prepare students to care for local issues, analyze policies, participate in planning, and develop comparative perspectives on public affairs. The department also provides Master’s programs in Regional Policy and Development (established in 2004) and Austronesian Studies (established in 2003). The faculty and resources for teaching and research in these two Master’s programs fully support the development of the department. This indicates that the department provides three unique and interconnected programs including both undergraduate and graduate degrees. The vision of the department to reach the world echoes the characteristics of NTTU from the peripheral to the core.

Department of Somatics and Sports Leisure Industry

The Department of Somatics and Sports Leisure Industry is the first and the only department in Taiwan that combines somatic education with sports recreation industry. The department incorporates the natural advantage of exercise, health, leisure and tourism, and combines travel and vacation with somatics, which satisfies the need of the modern society. The department stresses the integration of theory and practice and focuses on somatics theory and techniques to train professionals in somatics. We provide learning opportunities for inner exploration through yoga, health, chi kung, somatic technique, pilates, shiatsui and massage, and somatic hands-on therapy under the god-gifted natural environment. The department also trains talents to guide, manage, and operate in the recreational sports industry and tourism industry with natural recreational facilities in Taitung, including rafting, canoeing, hot spring, climbing, paragliding, diving, bicycling, and triathlon.