The Center for Language Studies and the Center for Indigenous Education and Research at National Chung Cheng University held the opening ceremony today (6th) for the " Mandarin Learning Program for Teachers from the Humboldt County Office of Education, California, USA." Dr. Colby Smart, Deputy Superintendent of the Humboldt County Office of Education, along with 21 educators, officially embarked on a program combining language learning and cultural understanding. This visit not only marks a step forward in Chung Cheng University's substantive collaboration with U.S. educational institutions, but also represents a new milestone in Taiwan–U.S. basic education exchange.

The "CCU Mandarin" program has partnered with the Office of International Affairs (CCU) in linking the Humboldt County Office of Education in California, USA, to launch an international Mandarin learning program, demonstrating its strength in both teaching practice and international collaboration. This initiative aligns with the core goals of Taiwan's "Bilingual 2030 Policy" and the "Taiwan Huayu BEST Program." The immersive program integrates language learning with cultural experiences, helping visiting educators improve their Mandarin communication skills while gaining insights into the pedagogy of Mandarin as a second language and the diversity of Chinese-speaking communities.

Professor Dr. Wen-Chun Chen, Director of the Center for Language Studies, stated, “This collaboration marks a significant step in expanding the international influence of the Center. Through carefully designed courses and cultural activities, we aim to provide the educators from Humboldt County with a meaningful and practical Mandarin learning experience, showcasing Taiwan’s professionalism and passion in language education to the world.”

Professor Dr. Sheng-Yao Cheng, Director of the Center for Indigenous Education and Research, emphasized that the program not only focuses on language learning but also centers on cross-cultural exchange. He stated, “This collaborative initiative places special emphasis on the construction and sharing of cultural knowledge between Taiwanese and American Indigenous communities. Through bilateral discussions and experiential activities, we hope to foster mutual understanding and lay a foundation for future international exchange in Indigenous education.”

Dr. Colby Smart, Deputy Superintendent of the Humboldt County Office of Education, also shared, “It is truly an honor to be here, thanks to Professor Cheng’s support. This experience has deepened our understanding of Taiwan’s educational system and teaching practices. It not only enhances the cross-cultural teaching abilities of American educators but also promotes language literacy—making it a highly valuable opportunity for international exchange.”

Professor Dr. Der-Hwa Rau, Vice President for International Affairs at National Chung Cheng University, emphasized that this collaboration represents a significant milestone in Taiwan–U.S. educational exchange, showcasing the university’s integrated strengths in language education and cultural diplomacy. She stated, “Through genuine interaction and learning, educators and students from both countries can broaden their horizons and deepen mutual understanding. We look forward to continuing to expand areas of collaboration and building more diverse and long-term international exchange platforms, making education a bridge that connects the world.”

The implementation of this Mandarin Learning program not only highlights CCU’s strong capabilities in internationalization, language education, and cross-cultural exchange, but also reinforces Taiwan’s leading role in the global promotion of Mandarin education. Moving forward, Chung Cheng University will continue to deepen international collaboration, foster an open and diverse educational environment, and broaden the global perspective of Mandarin education—nurturing a new generation of talent with cultural literacy and global competitiveness.