Student Exchange Programs
Students can immerse themselves in different cultures and academic settings, gaining firsthand experiences that broaden their worldviews, enhance language proficiency, and build lasting international connections. For more information on student exchange programs, please contact UCI Division of Continued Education.
Faculty Visitation Programs
Faculty members participate in initiatives like the EMI (English as Medium of Instruction) program, engaging in collaborative research, teaching, and knowledge exchange with peers worldwide. If you are interested, please contact GLC Director, Professor Jerry Won Lee.
Current Partnership Spotlight
Featuring - Global Horizons 2025 "UC Irvine x NTUST Overseas Training Program": Expanding EMI Partnerships with NTUST
As part of UCI Global Cultures’ commitment to fostering international collaboration, the Global Horizons initiative has taken a significant step forward with its partnership with National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST). This collaboration has led to the launch of the NTUST x UCI EMI Overseas Professional Development Training Program—an enriching academic exchange designed to enhance English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) pedagogy and cross-cultural engagement.
Strengthening Cross-Border Academic Collaboration
In February 2025, UC Irvine and NTUST solidified our partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between UC Irvine’s Schools of Humanities and NTUST’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. This milestone marks the beginning of a deeper collaboration aimed at expanding learning opportunities for faculty and students alike.
The NTUST x UCI EMI Training Program
The NTUST x UC Irvine EMI Overseas Professional Development Training Program brought 18 NTUST faculty members to UCI for an intensive 11-day program. This initiative, carefully curated by UC Irvine's Global Languages & Cultures (GLC) and NTUST Office of Bilingual Education Initiatives (OBEI) under Global Horizons Initiative, included EMI course observations, thematic workshops, and interdisciplinary exchange activities across engineering, humanities, sciences, and management fields.
Participants had the opportunity to observe UCI’s award-winning instructors, engage in discussions on innovative teaching strategies, and explore emerging educational technologies such as AI and VR in the classroom. These experiences not only enriched faculty perspectives on EMI pedagogy but also fostered deeper collaboration between UCI and NTUST instructors.
Fostering Innovation in EMI Pedagogy
One of the key takeaways from the training program was the emphasis on inclusive and interactive teaching strategies. UCI faculty showcased techniques that empower students to be active knowledge contributors rather than passive learners. Instructors from both institutions exchanged insights on integrating student-centered approaches, refining feedback methods, and leveraging technology to enhance classroom engagement.
A notable highlight was Professor Patrick Hong’s engineering writing course, where AI tools were incorporated as a critical learning component. Rather than restricting AI use, students were encouraged to analyze AI-generated responses critically, fostering a deeper understanding of the subject matter and promoting analytical thinking.
A Foundation for Future Collaborations
Beyond classroom observations and training sessions, the NTUST delegation explored UCI’s campus, engaged in cultural exchanges, and built lasting professional networks. Faculty members took part in discussions with UCI’s School of Humanities and the Paul Merage School of Business, and visited the Intercultural Communication Lab, the Atwood Lab from the Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, and the TRUE Lab with Dr. Shawn (Liangzhong) Xiang, reinforcing a commitment to interdisciplinary learning and technological innovation.
This partnership between NTUST and UCI exemplifies Global Horizons’ mission of bridging cultures and expanding perspectives through meaningful academic engagement. As this collaboration continues to grow, both institutions remain committed to enhancing EMI instruction, fostering global citizenship, and supporting innovative teaching methodologies.
For more information about faculty exchange opportunities and the Global Horizons initiative, please contact GLC Assistant Director, Dr. Jung-Hsien Lin at junghsil@uci.edu.
