The “Flying Love to the Philippines” volunteer group of Southern Taiwan University of
Science and Technology had great performance

The “Flying Love to the Philippines--Philippine International Volunteer Service Team TDOC Plan"” of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology has been implemented for its seventh year. The team went to the Philippines to perform their service to bridge the digital gap of people’s lives there. In addition to continuing to extend international volunteers digital teaching services, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology built classrooms and educational information windows that enabled the Philippines students and community residents to be more interested in digital learning opportunities; the team also introduced to them Taiwan's culture, including Chinese Language, Chinese calligraphy, and other courses with a taste of Taiwan, helping people in the Philippines understand Taiwan’s culture.

【The “Flying Love to the Philippines” volunteer group of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology and Ambassador Lin (middle).】

As ASUS Cultural and Educational Foundation provided 70 sets of regenerated computer, together with the 30 sets from STUST, the international volunteer team had a total of 100 sets this year. With the help of Mrs. Bella Huang, Director of Love for the Philippines Foundation, the regenerated PCs were sent City University of Caloocan, which is about 20 minute drive from the downtown area of Manila. The team established a computer lab at the South Campus of the University to facilitate their digital teaching. The services were divided into two parts; one is for the first-year university students in the school, while the other is for the vocational training school students to participate in the training, ranging from age 17 to 50 years old.

【The volunteer group of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology was teaching the local students how to use computer software (1).】

The team-based curriculum was designed to meet the requirements of TESDA digital capacity certification. TESDA officials and Director Gonzales of Labor and Industrial Relations Unit Office monitored the all the procedures. Participants in the program were quite looking forward to Southern Taiwan team; participation in the service courses was extremely enthusiastic; many students even requested to enter the classroom despite the fact that they had to stand to gain e-learning opportunities and obtain certification. Caloocan University Information Center said that access to TESDA certification can improve the competitiveness of their students, boosting the opportunities for students to acquire a job through a job interview.

【The volunteer group of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology was teaching the local students how to use computer software (1).】

The “Flying Love to the Philippines” volunteer group has had long-term support from the Office of Extra-Curricular Activities. Ever since 2009, they have been to the Philippines for six times, working hard to uphold the technology-based, cultural- supplemented teaching methods and trying to realize their ideal of bridge the digital gaps there. This year, they followed the conventional way to set up second-hand computers, donated a computer classroom, and provided vocational training. The service activities opened up access for local students to digital information on the learning journey and improved Taiwan's international visibility. For Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, it won many international friendships from all the participating students who had unforgettable experience.

【The volunteer group of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology in the Love and Care Foundation handover ceremony.】