Taiwan Tech has maintained close exchanges and cooperation with the Republic of Paraguay through the Universidad Politécnica Taiwan-Paraguay (Taiwan–Paraguay Polytechnic University, UPTP), whose establishment Taiwan Tech helped facilitate. On 21 September, the university’s Rector, Jorge Duarte, and Director of Master’s Programmes, Dr Idelin Molinas, visited Taiwan Tech to exchange views on the future structure of master’s programmes, faculty arrangements, and the development of research and teaching at the Taiwan–Paraguay Polytechnic University. Taiwan Tech departments and graduate institutes also shared their experience in planning and delivering master’s programmes, helping the university gradually establish a direction for postgraduate education. This visit marked a further expansion of bilateral cooperation from undergraduate education to the cultivation of research talent.

Rector Jorge Duarte (right) and Director of Master’s Programmes Idelin Molinas (left) of the Taiwan–Paraguay Polytechnic University visit Taiwan Tech to learn from its experience in establishing master’s programmes at a university of science and technology.

Taiwan Tech President Jia-Yush Yen (first from right) and Dean of the College of Engineering Ming-Jyh Chern (second from right) share their experience in postgraduate curriculum planning, research and teaching with Rector Duarte and Director Molinas.

The visit focused on the establishment and development of master’s programmes at the Taiwan–Paraguay Polytechnic University. Drawing on its experience in engineering and technology education, Taiwan Tech worked with its Paraguayan partner to discuss curriculum structures that would address local needs. Director Molinas also visited several Taiwan Tech faculty members to exchange views on the development of specialised fields, curriculum planning, research and teaching, and potential areas for future collaboration. These included Professor Tai-Lin Chin and Associate Professor Shang-Hsiang Shen of the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering; Professor Fu-Chen Teng of the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering; Professor Che-Chia Hu of the Department of Chemical Engineering; and Associate Professors Hsiu-Yang Tseng, Liang-Kuang Chen and Ying-Chun Lin, as well as Assistant Professor Chen-Ting Wen, of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Taiwan Tech also shared its practical experience in establishing master’s programmes. Drawing on the development needs of different disciplines, the two universities discussed suitable curriculum structures for students at the Taiwan–Paraguay Polytechnic University, covering curriculum design, faculty arrangements and the integration of teaching resources. Through these interdepartmental exchanges, the Paraguayan university gained a better understanding of the curricular and research strengths of different engineering disciplines. The discussions also helped identify the faculty members and teaching resources that would be needed in the future, laying a foundation for the further development of postgraduate education.

Assistant Professor Chen-Ting Wen of the Department of Mechanical Engineering (first from right) introduces the research directions and teaching practices of the Center for Intelligent Robotics.

As part of the exchange on research and teaching resources, Director Molinas visited Taiwan Tech’s Computer Center and network server facilities to learn about the development and operation of the university’s administrative information systems, large-scale databases and related IT infrastructure. He also visited the Intelligent Electric Vehicle Research Center, the Formula Racing Team and the Intelligent Robotics Research Centre. These visits provided first-hand insights into the university’s research equipment, laboratory environments and student practical work, demonstrating how Taiwan Tech integrates academic research with practical applications in its teaching.

In addition, Rector Duarte and Director Molinas visited the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), where they were received by Chi-Kang Kung, Deputy Director of the Department of Science Education and International Cooperation. The two sides exchanged views on cooperation between Taiwan and Paraguay in science, technology and higher education, as well as on how government agencies and academic institutions could jointly support the development of research and education. The discussions also helped broaden the directions for future research talent development at the Taiwan–Paraguay Polytechnic University.

Rector Duarte (right) and Director Molinas also visit Chi-Kang Kung (left), Deputy Director of the NSTC Department of Science Education and International Cooperation, to exchange views on cooperation between Taiwan and Paraguay in science, technology and higher education.

The Taiwan–Paraguay Polytechnic University currently has four departments: Civil Engineering, Electromechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Information Engineering. It has admitted eight cohorts of students to date. After completing their foundational and professional training in Paraguay, some students travel to Taiwan Tech for exchange programmes, where they broaden their professional knowledge and gain practical experience in a different learning environment. During their visit to Taiwan, Rector Duarte and Director Molinas also met with 87 students from the Taiwan–Paraguay Polytechnic University who are currently undertaking exchange studies at NTUST. The meeting was jointly chaired by Rector Duarte, Director Molinas, Ta-Yao Fu, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Paraguay, and Chen-Yang Lan, Director of Student Affairs at the UPTP Project Office. They discussed the students’ academic progress and daily lives in Taiwan, including independent learning, campus life and accommodation regulations.

During the meeting, Rector Duarte expresses his hope that students will develop their professional skills, gain practical experience and broaden their international perspectives in Taiwan.

During their visit to Taiwan, Rector Duarte and Director Molinas meet with 87 Taiwan–Paraguay Polytechnic University students currently undertaking exchange studies at Taiwan Tech to know more about their academic progress and daily lives.

Rector Duarte emphasised that research and learning are the foundations of future development. He encouraged students to devote themselves fully to their studies while actively engaging with industry to build professional capabilities and practical experience, thereby broadening their horizons for the future. Through face-to-face discussions, he was able to gain a better understanding of their learning experiences in Taiwan and encourage them to develop self-management skills and adapt to different academic and living environments.

Taiwan Tech and Paraguay have a long-standing history of cooperation in higher education. Since signing a letter of intent on cooperation for the establishment of the Universidad Politécnica Taiwan-Paraguay in late 2017, Taiwan Tech has continued to support the university by arranging faculty assignments, planning curricula, integrating teaching resources and providing scholarships. Through this model of international educational cooperation, Taiwan Tech has helped Paraguay cultivate talent in engineering and technology while accumulating extensive experience in cross-border talent development.

In the future, Taiwan Tech will continue to work within the framework of its partnership with the Taiwan–Paraguay Polytechnic University, drawing on the expertise and teaching resources of its departments and graduate institutes to support the development of master’s programmes. The two universities will further expand their cooperation in higher education, scientific research and international talent development, deepening mutually beneficial exchanges between Taiwan and Paraguay in higher education and research.