Overview:
A team of faculty members and student teachers from Taiwan’s National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) brought sustainability education and cross-cultural learning to Palau through the “Love in Palau – NCHU Center for Teacher Education Sustainability Education Practice in Palau 2026” program. The July 13–29 initiative focused on educational exchange, community engagement, and strengthening connections between Taiwan and Palau.
A team of faculty and student teachers from the Center for Teacher Education at National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) traveled to the Republic of Palau from July 13 to 29, 2026 (Year 115 of the Republic of China calendar) to carry out the “Love in Palau – NCHU Center for Teacher Education Sustainability Education Practice in Palau 2026” program. Through site visits, educational service, and cultural exchange, the program focused on issues including Palau’s society and culture, natural landscapes, agricultural development, climate change, and marine ecology. Funded by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education, the program was led by Principal Investigator Professor Pai Hui-Chuan of NCHU’s Center for Teacher Education, with Professor Shen Yu-Chuan and Professor Ting Yu-Shan serving as Co-Principal Investigators. The delegation comprised eight student teachers—team leader Chen Wen-Ching, along with Chou Susana, Chen Mu-Qun, Yeh Li-Han, Wu Chang-Han, Kuo Chia-Ying, Lin An-Yen, and Cheng Yung-Jen.
Upon arrival in Palau, the faculty and students first paid a visit to the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in the Republic of Palau, where they learned about the importance of Taiwan-Palau friendship, youth exchange, and sustainable development for island nations. Ambassador Chen Kang-i welcomed the NCHU delegation and encouraged the team to gain a deeper understanding of Palau’s culture, society, and natural environment, and to build connections with local youth through educational exchange. The delegation also called on Palau High School, meeting with Principal Smyth Rdang, Mr. Dalton Thomas, and Ms. Lianna Ramarui to learn about the local educational environment and students’ learning needs, laying the groundwork for the educational service component that followed.
The itinerary also included visits to the Taiwan Technical Mission in Palau (International Cooperation and Development Fund, ICDF), the Palau National Aquaculture Center, and the Pristine Earth Sustainable Tourism Development Association, offering perspectives on sustainable development in action through the lenses of agriculture, marine resources, and tourism. Through briefings from Mission Chief Tsai Ming-che and expert Ho Chia-ling of the Taiwan Technical Mission, as well as expert Hsieh Po-yuan and technician Chiu Hsu-cheng of the Aquaculture Center, the delegation learned about the achievements of Taiwan-Palau cooperation in agricultural technology, food security, and talent cultivation, and observed firsthand the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems and fisheries resources, as well as joint efforts in aquaculture and species restoration.
The eight student teachers then carried out seven days of educational service at Palau High School, adapting their curricula and teaching methods to the characteristics of local students. Prior to the service period, Mandarin teacher Huang Chuan-chih of the Taiwan Technical Mission shared her experience with the team, helping the student teachers better understand Palauan students’ language learning progress, cultural background, classroom interaction styles, and communication characteristics. Drawing on what they had observed during their site visits, the student teachers translated their experiences into educational activities such as natural science experiments, biological observation and illustration, and agricultural pest management—guiding students to recognize the importance of environmental change and sustainable development through Palau’s own marine, agricultural, and everyday life experiences.
Beyond the sustainability education curriculum, the program also aimed to deepen mutual understanding between Taiwanese and Palauan students and educators through cultural exchange. Lessons incorporated cultural experiences such as calligraphy and round fan painting, and encouraged Palauan students to share their own local language, imagery, natural landscapes, and cultural memory. Professor Pai Hui-Chuan, the program’s Principal Investigator, noted that education and youth exchange form an important foundation for deepening Taiwan-Palau friendship, expressing hope that the program would connect the two countries’ youth through education—making “Love in Palau” a concrete example of mutual learning, mutual understanding, and joint action toward sustainable development.