NUK Sustainability Report

2026-10-19 

The Indigenous Student Resource Center of National University of Kaohsiung (NUK) hosted a luncheon on October 7 titled “President Chen Meets with Indigenous Students over Lunch.” NUK President Chen Chi-Jen, Dean of Student Affairs Chang Ching-Hung, and Indigenous students from different colleges gathered for an informal exchange on topics ranging from legal services in Indigenous communities and cultural practice to interdisciplinary learning and international engagement. The event provided an opportunity for the university to better understand students’ learning experiences and needs while exploring diverse approaches to Indigenous education.

President Chen Chi-Jen emphasized that university education should go beyond acquiring professional knowledge and encourage students to connect what they learn with real-world needs. He recognized students’ experiences in serving Indigenous communities and stressed that relationships with communities should not be limited to short-term visits. Instead, sustained engagement is essential to understanding local cultures, lifestyles, and practical needs, allowing professional learning and community service to reinforce each other.

Dean of Student Affairs Chang Ching-Hung encouraged Indigenous students to combine their cultural backgrounds with professional knowledge, develop independent thinking and creativity, and cultivate their own strengths. He noted that as artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance rapidly, AI can serve as a tool to support learning and problem-solving. However, students’ professional expertise, cultural understanding, and ability to think independently remain fundamental.

Political and Legal Studies student Wang Chin-Cheng shared his experience participating in the Indigenous Community Cultural Exploration and Legal Consultation Service Program, which took a student team to Jinfeng Township in Taitung County. Through legal education, discussions of practical legal issues, and cultural exploration, the students gained a better understanding of the legal needs encountered in Indigenous communities. With guidance from professional lawyers, students learned about legal concepts through real-world cases while also exploring Indigenous plants and cultural practices. Wang reflected on how Indigenous knowledge and cultural practices could be incorporated into campus activities, giving more students opportunities to learn about the wisdom embedded in different communities.

Building on the discussion of connecting Indigenous culture with campus life, students proposed establishing a dedicated space on campus for cultivating Indigenous cultural plants. Such a space could allow students who have never visited Indigenous communities to learn about Indigenous cultures through the campus environment and hands-on activities, encouraging interaction and mutual understanding among different cultural groups.

Law student Hsieh Chia-Chen also drew on her experience in community service and suggested expanding courses and learning opportunities related to Indigenous legal issues. She observed that community life often involves legal matters concerning land, inheritance, and other issues. Integrating legal expertise with Indigenous cultures and community contexts could help students better understand real-world challenges and prepare them for future community-based legal services.

In discussing the integration of legal education and Indigenous issues, President Chen shared NUK’s previous experience in offering specialized programs for Indigenous students. He also introduced the educational concept of Problem-Based Learning (PBL), emphasizing the value of using real-world cases as starting points for student learning and critical thinking. Faculty and students further discussed the possibility of organizing lectures and workshops to deepen the connection between professional knowledge and Indigenous community experiences.

Beyond law, students proposed interdisciplinary learning opportunities involving architecture, art, design, and other fields. By combining knowledge and skills from different disciplines, students hope to explore new approaches to Indigenous cultural practice and expand opportunities for interdisciplinary learning by making better use of existing university resources.

International engagement was another topic of discussion. President Chen shared NUK’s experiences in promoting international exchange through initiatives such as the Asian Field School and activities related to Austronesian cultures. He noted that land, cultural preservation, and climate change are shared concerns among Indigenous peoples in different countries and encouraged students to broaden their international perspectives by connecting with Indigenous youth overseas. Participants also discussed the possibility of organizing a national forum for Indigenous students from universities across Taiwan, with students expressing interest in connecting young people from different institutions and creating opportunities for dialogue on public issues.

The luncheon’s title incorporates cultural meanings from the Paiwan language. “Vuvu” refers to an elder, while “aljak” refers to a child. The Indigenous Student Resource Center designed the event around the traditional concept of interaction between elders and younger generations. By bringing university leaders, faculty members, and students together over a shared meal in a relaxed atmosphere, the event created space for exchanging experiences and ideas while offering another way for different generations to engage with and learn about Indigenous culture.