To let international students at National Chung Cheng University (CCU) experience the atmosphere of the Lantern Festival in Taiwan, the Taiwan-India Joint Research Center on Artificial Intelligence (AI Center) held a lively event on February 24th. That day, not only did it attract more than 70 students and teachers from countries such as India, Pakistan, Nepal, Tanzania, Tuvalu, Ethiopia, Uganda, the United States, Indonesia, and Taiwan to participate together in this event, but it also kicked off the new year of international cooperation and development in joyful cross-border exchanges.

Taiwanese businesses to enter the Indian market, and has established the brand image of "Indian experts" at CCU. Academically, we have collaborated with top Indian universities, including the Indian Institutes of Technology Ropar (IIT-Ropar), achieving significant results, particularly in key AI technologies such as smart healthcare, smart transportation, and smart environmental protection.

Additionally, we actively cultivate international talent, attracting students from various countries such as the United States, France, India, and Vietnam. As a result, we have been awarded the highest subsidy from the Ministry of Education's "Taiwan Experience Education Program (TEEP) for Outstanding Young Scholars Worldwide" for multiple consecutive years.

The AI Center stated that its director, Professor Pao-Ann Hsiung, was born in India and later came to Taiwan for study and career development. He is deeply concerned about students from different backgrounds, and through activities such as making tangyuan, DIY lanterns, and guessing lantern riddles, he enables students from diverse cultural backgrounds to deeply experience the warmth of local culture. At the event, students and teachers from various countries showcased the lanterns they handmade, ranging from traditional dragon lanterns to lanterns with cartoon designs, demonstrating the harmony of diverse cultures and reflecting the spirit of international cooperation.

Professor Hsiung mentioned that while India celebrates Diwali (the Hindu festival of lights), Taiwan observes the Lantern Festival. Lighting lamps and carrying lanterns symbolize the metaphor "light forever overcoming darkness." The AI Center expressed that organizing this event not only allows international students to experience Taiwan's traditional culture but also fosters understanding and friendship among international faculty and students, promoting respect and learning across diverse cultures. Cross-cultural communication and collaboration are crucial cornerstones of current globalization and have been the ongoing focus of the Taiwan-India AI Overseas Research Center at CCU.