The Building an Asian Community (International Celebrity Lecture Series) Program, held by the General Education Center of STUST, recently invited Audrey Tang, Minister of State without Portfolio of the Executive Yuan, to give a lecture on the “Development Trend of Social Innovation in Taiwan.” The lecture was introduced by a lively song "Freedom" specially produced for the minister by the Student Orchestra of the Department of Pop Music Industry, followed by a hot dance performance "Sugar in Summer." Both brought a lively opening to the lecture and created a great atmosphere.

【STUST President Deng-Maw Lu (third from left) and the school supervisor and took a group photo with Audrey Tang (fourth from right), Minister of State of the Executive Yuan.】

The lecture was conducted in a unique style of "Q&A". Audrey Tang conducted a comprehensive discussion on the questions raised by the teachers and students. Before the lecture started, a considerable number of questions had been accumulated on the online platform "Slido". After an integration of the questions, the order of Q&A was determined by the number of votes by both teacher in a public voting. Audrey Tang explained in detail the various issues raised by teachers and students, including personal career and self-study issues, cross-strait politics and Taiwan Strait security issues, people's livelihood issues, information technology openness and resources sharing issues, current pandemic issues, as well as her general impressions of STUST. She answered all the related one by one, bringing a unique and innovative lecture to the teachers and students who participated in it.

【Deng-Maw Lu, President of STUST, was delivering a speech in the program "Building an Asian Community (International Celebrity Lecture Series)".】

About 400 teachers and students interacted with the speakers actively, which showed that teachers and students of STUST attached great importance to current issues. Whether it was online or on-site, they were able to discuss different levels and diverse related issues. The activity was successfully completed in a relaxed and happy atmosphere throughout the whole process, and it drew a perfect ending in applause, bringing a rich experience to the participating teachers and students.

【Audrey Tang, Minister of State of the Executive Yuan was delivering a speech at STUST.】

"Building an Asian Community (International Celebrity Lecture Series)" is a large-scale general education program sponsored by the "Nippon Foundation Eurasian Mutual Foundation," organized by Prof. Zhao-Yin Luo from the Department of Applied Japanese. The total amount of the fund is US$70,000 (approximately NT$2 million). A 16-week program is planned for each semester, with a well-known expert or scholar, domestic or international, is invited as a lecturer every week. Lectures are given on individual topics, professional knowledge, and experience in various fields to offer students the basic concepts and development trends of the Asian community, expanding their international perspectives creating a rich world outlook for them, and improving their learning literacy. In addition, outstanding performers will have the opportunity to receive scholarships.

【A group photo of the “Building of the Asian Community of STUST (International Celebrity Lecture Series)】

Audrey Tang expressed the current government's position on pandemic prevention policies in response to the current pandemic situation. In addition, she also mentioned the importance of the "Bluetooth Real Link System," which offer the public a better grasp of the pandemic information and maintain social distance. It is expected that there would be 10 million people to use the system. The government is also advocating that the public can try their best to take the vaccine and cooperate with the distribution of oral medicines. More importantly, it is necessary to treat the current pandemic situation with “an everyday mindset.”

Deng-Maw Lu, President of STUST, said that this program extensively discusses world politics, economy, racial problems, and many other issues. Based on the needs of peace for mankind, universities around the world should have lectures on related peace issues, and these masters’ lectures should be used to understand and solve all the problems. He also mentioned that Audrey Tang’s break from the traditional learning environment during her early studies. It was by way of self-learning and with her great perseverance, she achieved the respectable status she has today.