National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST) is hosting the Overseas Youth Dream Fund and Youth Exchange Program for Diplomatic Allies from October 1 to October 30, 2025. This month-long educational exchange is co-sponsored by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and organized by the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF).
The opening ceremony on October 1st was attended by several distinguished guests from NPUST and the TaiwanICDF, who welcomed eight youth participants from six of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies: Paraguay, Eswatini, Belize, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia.
The welcoming dignitaries included: Professor Shang-Ming Ma, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Professor Wen-Ling Shih, Vice President for Administration; Professor Shu-twu Wang, Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences; Professor Jik-Chang Leong, Dean of the International College; Hsin-Pei Hsieh (謝昕蓓), Manager, International Education and Training Department, TaiwanICDF; and Hsiao-Chen Chou, Project Manager, TaiwanICDF. Members of the Taiwan Sustainability Hub and representatives from the Department of Tropical Agriculture and International Cooperation were also in attendance.
PROGRAM GOALS: SMART AGRICULTURE AND DEEPENED FRIENDSHIP
The exchange program was jointly planned by Herlin Chien, Professor and Director of the NPUST Center for General Education, and Jung-Yi Fang, Professor and Chair of the Department of Tropical Agriculture and International Cooperation. The organizers hope that the diverse curriculum and field experiences will promote the exchange of advanced agricultural knowledge and strengthen Taiwan’s long-term friendships with its allies.
During the opening ceremony, the attending guests emphasized that this exchange offers an excellent opportunity for talent collaboration. They encouraged the visiting youth to fully embrace the NPUST campus life, actively engage with students, and gain an in-depth understanding of Taiwan’s diverse culture. Most importantly, speakers expressed the hope that the participants would return home to apply the agricultural knowledge, sustainable development concepts, and life experiences gained in Taiwan, becoming key bridges for international cooperation and local development.
INDUSTRY INSIGHT: A MODEL OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY
Following the ceremony, the delegation visited King’s Ground Bio-Tech (KGBio). in the afternoon. Company CEO, Ching-Shan Yang (楊青山) personally hosted the group, providing a detailed introduction to the company’s entrepreneurial vision and its commitment to the “Circular Economies”.
Yang highlighted how KGBio practices a zero-waste model by using high-value and innovative green technology to transform agricultural and food byproducts—such as soybean residue, tea leaves, and mung bean hulls—which are typically considered waste, into healthy animal feed, supplements, and household goods. The company employs the 5R strategy (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Redefine, and Redesign) to redefine its production processes— from raw material sourcing to final product. In this way, they are working to set a new standard for circular economies in Taiwan.
Yang encouraged the visiting youth to value the knowledge and insights gained in Taiwan and to bring the concepts of “zero waste” and “environmental sustainability” back to their home countries in order to drive local innovation. As a symbolic gesture of friendship he presented each of the eight students with a bar of soap made from recycled agricultural byproducts.
CURRICULUM FOCUS: SMART AGRICULTURE AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE
This year’s “Overseas Youth Dream Fund Program” is centered on four core areas: Sustainable Tourism, Smart Agriculture, Sports Diplomacy, and Cultural Diplomacy. NPUST’s program focuses on Smart Agriculture, featuring a carefully designed curriculum that includes experiential learning from the university’s undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs in tropical agriculture.
The agenda also incorporates practical activities such as smart agriculture technology demonstrations and ecological farming experiences, providing students with both theoretical foundations and hands-on exposure to Taiwan’s expertise in sustainable agriculture.
Beyond professional training, the program emphasizes comprehensive cultural exchange. Students will participate in Hakka rural village and indigenous traditional culture experiences to get a feel for Taiwan’s rich multicultural tapestry. Furthermore, they will engage in fishery village food education and local revitalization activities organized by the Daxiaogangbian Local Revitalization Association (大小港邊地方創生協會) to foster a better understanding of local industry innovation and the diverse aspects of sustainable community development.
