On Dec. 29, the Office of International and Cross-Strait Affairs held the Second Mainland Students’ Forum. The forum gives exchange and degree-pursuing students from Mainland China a chance to express their thoughts regarding study at Tamkang and provide feedback on possible ways to improve their study experience. It was attended by the Vice President for International Affairs, Dr. Wan-Chin Tai, the Dean of International Affairs, Dr. Pei Wha Chi Lee, the Section Chief of the International and Mainland Student Guidance Section, Chen Pei-fen, and the Section Chief of the International and Cross-strait Exchange Section, Martha Kuo, as well as senior faculty and staff from each TKU department.

Vice President Tai said that the feedback provided during the forum will help TKU better understand how to solve problems experienced by Mainland students and the addition facilities or services that may be required.

According to information collated by the International and Mainland Student Guidance Section, most Mainland students are happy with the services TKU provides. However, there are a few areas in which they feel improvements could be made. For example, some Mainland Chinese students at the Lanyang Campus feel that the possibility of holding major events is limited due to space confinements. Meanwhile, Mainland students at the Tamsui Campus have encountered problems related to course selection and accommodation. In terms of course selection, Section Chief Chen Pei-fen explained that if Mainland students have enquires or are facing difficulties, they can consult the staff at the International and Mainland Student Guidance Section. The staff will work to help solve the problem and will notify the Office of Academic Affairs if adjustments to the course selection system are required.

During the forum, first year student Liu Rui Xin from Guangdong, China, said “thank you for showing such care and concern to Mainland students. We can feel this sense of being cared for in every aspect of our lives. It’s like Tamkang is our second home!”