School of Engineering and Tufts Global Education debut international student research exchange partnership

At Tufts University, engineering students have countless options to conduct hands-on research. Now, those opportunities extend all the way to Taiwan, where Tufts students can spend between 10-12 weeks at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) in Tainan, Taiwan through the new Tufts-NCKU Student Research Exchange Partnership. In turn, NCKU students can join the exchange to spend ten weeks immersed in research on Tufts’ Medford/Somerville campus. Tufts Global Education (TGE) launched the program last summer with seven Tufts undergraduates visiting NCKU, and six NCKU students visiting Tufts.

Student research opportunities at leading institutions

Each university drew on its unique research strengths to offer participants something new. Taiwan is a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing, and several Tufts students gained first-hand experience with the process during their visit. “Learning about semiconductor manufacturing in the world's leading semiconductor producing country was a huge opportunity for me and has already directly impacted my ability to land interviews at companies that I am applying to for next summer,” said Katie Kostak, E26, of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

The exchange offered Patrick Johnson, E27, a way to merge his academic pursuits in computer engineering and Chinese with his prior experience visiting Taiwan. In Professor Philex Fan’s lab at NCKU, Johnson and electrical engineering major Alex Moy, E26, designed a printed circuit board, an essential building block for electronic and biomedical devices. The project involved designing the electrical schematic, soldering the components onto the board, and writing code to interact with the board. As their project took shape, the team developed critical problem-solving and decision-making skills in a lab setting.  

Tufts students from the Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical and Computer Engineering gained confidence in their research abilities through projects in microelectronics, biotechnology, and more. “[It] really demonstrated research is a truly international platform and how interconnected labs can be despite being halfway across the world,” said biomedical engineering student Zahir Bashir, E26.

The exchange was similarly enlightening for the NCKU students. The opportunity to conduct research and immerse themselves in U.S. academic environments motivated many of the participants. “I wanted to see how people approach problems, how labs are run, and how that compares to what I’ve experienced in Taiwan,” explained Che-An Chen. Po-Han Juan echoed the sentiment. “I applied because I saw it as a great opportunity to explore research I'm passionate about, experience a new culture, and prepare for future academic goals,” he shared.  

This summer was Ching Yeong Nyu’s first time in the United States. In Associate Professor Yingjie Lao’s lab, he adapted a machine learning program that recognizes sign language to understand Taiwanese Sign Language (TSL). His project addressed the lack of publicly available TSL resources and included a small-scale TSL dataset for potential future applications. “I’ve learned so much from my research experience here. Nicole, the Ph.D. student who is mentoring me, has truly impressed me with her intelligence, professionalism, and her highly efficient way of working and communicating,” reflected Nyu.

Students and faculty members at Tufts and NCKU enthusiastically welcomed the exchange students into their labs. Tufts faculty from both SOE and A&S hosted students including several members of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Assistant Professor Marco Donato, Professor Mark Hempstead, Professor Usman Khan (now a Professor at Boston College), and Associate Professor Yingjie Lao, as well as Associate Professor Charles Mace of the Department of Chemistry, and Robinson Professor and Chair of the Department of Mathematics Kasso Okoudjou. “The variety of PIs offering research roles expanded the academic scope and career goals of our STEM students,” said Mala Ghosh, Associate Dean and Senior Director of Tufts Global Education.

Exchange offers cultural immersion

On opposite sides of the globe, each group navigated life in another country as they built their research expertise. “I am fortunate to see firsthand the value that an opportunity like this provides,” said Senior Assistant Director of Tufts Programs Abroad Evan Lohmann, who worked with both Tufts and NCKU students. “Students engage in academic research, but they are also engaged in cultural exchange, allowing them the unique opportunity to approach their academic interests from a whole new point of view.”

Some of the students’ favorite memories were outside the lab. The NCKU students watched fireworks together on the Fourth of July and fondly recalled a thrilling baseball game with a last-minute home run that led to a Red Sox victory. “Attending the Red Sox game was definitely a highlight—it was my first time experiencing American baseball in person, and the atmosphere was amazing!” shared Chih-Shan Yen. Being in the U.S. also gave them an opportunity to practice speaking English in research and casual settings.

Overall, Tufts students appreciated the breathtaking nature and delicious food that Taiwan had to offer. The group explored the nearby cities of Kaohsiung and Taipei together. For some participants, it was their first exposure to Taiwanese culture. Others, like Bashir, had some prior knowledge. As an active member of the Taiwanese Association of Students at Tufts, he learned about Taiwan through the club’s activities and his Taiwanese friends. During the program, he deepened his understanding of the culture, particularly during a bike trip along the eastern side of the island with fellow program member Kostak.

Tufts and NCKU’s contributions to global research continue

Associate Professor Hwa Chang of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering was the catalyst for the program. Shortly before retiring from Tufts on January 1, 2026, he received a gift from the School For You Foundation. He wanted to use the gift to continue supporting student growth, as it was his passion throughout his nearly four decades as a Tufts faculty member. While visiting the University of Chicago, he met two NCKU exchange students. “They told me that their professional engineering visions had been widely broadened due to their exchange, not only in terms of their research but also in terms of their prospective career goals,” Chang shared. Hoping to bring similar benefits to Tufts students, he initiated the exchange program between Tufts and his alma mater NCKU in collaboration with Tufts Global Education.

After a successful first year, the School For You foundation agreed to support the exchange program for five years. “Thanks to Dean Kyongbum Lee, Associate Dean Mala Ghosh, and Evan Lohmann from Tufts Global Education, all deans, chairs and other administrators at NCKU; this program would not be possible without their support,” said Chang, who is currently the program director. “Last but not least, thank you to the President of the School For You Foundation, my dear friend, for his generosity in donating this gift to Tufts.”

Moving forward, Tufts Global Education will work with NCKU, the School For You Foundation, and colleagues from Tufts AS&E to continue giving NCKU and Tufts students a window into one another’s worlds. The program is open to undergraduate students in the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering. More information about the program, including PI profiles and the link to apply, can be found on the Tufts Global Education website. Faculty members interested in hosting an NCKU student can contact Tufts Global Education at globaleducation@tufts.edu to find out how they can get involved.