To strengthen professional faculty expertise in ‘exploration education’ and enhance safety management at the facility, the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST) Self Exploration Park recently held the “KristallTurm Instructor and Rescuer Certification Training Course.” The university specifically invited Mike Wentorf, a professional technician from the German high-altitude exploration equipment brand KristallTurm, to Taiwan to conduct a five-day intensive training session, marking a new chapter in the development of exploration education at NPUST.
Supported with funding from the Higher Education Sprout Project of the Office of Academic Affairs, the training was provided to faculty members from both the Department of Recreational Sport and Health Promotion and the Physical Education Office. Through this international professional certification course, the university has established an in-house expert team for exploration education. This team will collaboratively lead the management, instruction, research, and talent development initiatives for the Self Exploration Park in the future.
In recent years, NPUST has actively promoted self exploration education, constructing a high-altitude exploration tower utilizing the German KristallTurm system—a rarity in Taiwan. Standing approximately 18 meters tall, the tower features a three-story, multi-route challenge design that allows participants to choose different difficulty levels based on their own capabilities. Guided by the core philosophy of “Experience, Action, Reflection, and Integration,” the facility utilizes real-world challenges to help students cultivate key skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, emotional regulation, and psychological resilience, rather than focusing solely on physical performance or competitive speed.
The five-day curriculum covered professional topics including Site Management, Equipment Inspection, Facilitation Skills, Facility Operation, and Rescue Procedures. Through hands-on practice and scenario-based drills, the participating faculty gained a comprehensive understanding of the safety management processes and operational standards of the KristallTurm system, enabling them to establish site management capabilities that align with international standards. In accordance with the European high-altitude exploration facility standard EN 15567, the Self Exploration Park has also implemented a complete safety management system, including daily inspections, regular maintenance, and emergency response procedures, to ensure the quality and safety of all activities.
German technician Mike Wentorf noted that KristallTurm has established numerous high-altitude exploration facilities worldwide. He stated that the core philosophy is not just to provide challenges, but to help participants build self-confidence and the courage to face adversity through a comprehensive safety system and professional facilitation. He expressed his hope that through this collaboration with NPUST—including full technology transfer and professional training—the Self Exploration Park will become a key demonstration site for experiential education in Taiwan.
The Department of Recreational Sport and Health Promotion stated that exploration education is gradually evolving from traditional outdoor activities into a new educational model that integrates smart technology, safety management, and experience design. Compared to traditional facilities, the KristallTurm exploration tower utilizes a modular, multi-route design paired with an auto-belay safety system, which effectively improves site efficiency, reduces waiting times, and balances safety with operational management. The university plans to integrate the park with school curricula, University Social Responsibility (USR) projects, corporate team building, parent-child education, and international exchange activities. By developing diverse exploration education models, NPUST aims to enhance its institutional identity and international visibility, establishing the Self Exploration Park as a signature venue for practicing innovative education.
