“The 10th Graduate Forum of the Four Schools-Taipei Tech Station Connecting Asia: Co-Creating Knowledge” was held on May 10, 2025, at National Taipei University of Technology (NTUT), co-hosted by National Chengchi University (NCCU), NTUT, National Chung Cheng University, and National Chiayi University. The event brought together graduate students and faculty members from the field of education across the four universities to share research findings, exchange academic perspectives, and foster cross-institutional collaboration and scholarly growth. Led by Professor Angela Yung Chi Hou of the Department of Education, NCCU graduate students actively participated in the forum, demonstrating both academic excellence and a strong commitment to research engagement. To further expand the international dimension of the forum, Professor Jung Cheol Shin. a prominent scholar in higher education from Seoul National University (SNU) in South Korea, was invited to join the event along with his graduate students. Their participation offered a valuable opportunity for academic dialogue between Taiwan and South Korea, enriching the forum's global outlook.
The research presentations covered a diverse array of topics and methodologies, reflecting the vibrant academic landscape of the forum. A student from NTUT presented a study titled “Mapping Knowledge Gaps in Mathematics: A Diagnostic Analysis of Taiwanese University Entrants Using College Entrance Exam Data”, which utilized entrance exam data to identify learning gaps in mathematics among first-year students and proposed diagnostic tools to enhance instructional strategies and learning effectiveness. Another notable presentation came from a graduate student at National Chiayi University, entitled “Cross-Cultural Adjustment of International Students in Chiayi County”, which employed a qualitative approach to explore international students’ cultural adaptation experiences in southern Taiwan. The study shed light on the challenges faced by international students and called attention to the need for improved institutional support and policies, contributing significantly to ongoing discussions on internationalization in higher education. Additionally, a doctoral student from SNU delivered a presentation titled “A Pilot Study: Evaluating the Impact of Performance-Based Research Funding on University Research Performance in China”. The study examined how performance-driven funding models influenced academic outputs at four leading Chinese universities, offering preliminary observations and policy implications concerning research governance and resource allocation. The topic sparked lively discussion among participants.
The entire forum was conducted in English, including presentations and Q&A sessions. This not only enhanced students’ academic English proficiency and international communication skills but also enabled the exchange of research within a global academic context. International students from various institutions also attended the event, further promoting intercultural engagement and scholarly dialogue between domestic and international participants. The forum also featured feedback sessions and thematic discussions led by professors from the participating universities, providing graduate students with valuable guidance on research writing, academic publishing, and career development.
In summary, the forum enabled graduate students to transcend regional and linguistic boundaries, build inter-university knowledge communities, and deepen academic collaboration. It showcased the ongoing efforts and tangible outcomes of Taiwan’s higher education institutions in promoting research diversity and fostering global academic connections.
