Participants from the faculty and students of NCKU and Purdue enjoyed a lively and joyful welcome luncheon.

Starting from the 2020 academic year, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) and Purdue University in the United States have jointly launched the NCKU-Purdue 3+1+1 Dual Degree Program. Building upon this collaboration, a new interdisciplinary course titled "Solutions Lab Global" was co-developed this year with Purdue University's Honors College.
This course is jointly offered by Purdue University, National Taiwan University (NTU), and NCKU. Students from diverse academic backgrounds participate, working together across disciplines to explore and address global issues. Through cross-cultural and interdisciplinary discussions, the course aims to cultivate critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills among students, empowering them to propose viable solutions to global challenges. This year's theme focuses on the economic impact of the post-pandemic on Taiwan and the United States. Starting March 4, students and faculty from all three universities have participated in online sessions twice a week, engaging in active academic exchange.

Purdue students made their own Bluetooth speakers with their names engraved. 

In mid-May, 9 students from Purdue arrived in Taiwan for a two-week Study Away Program—spending the first week at NCKU and the second at NTU. On May 12, NCKU’s Office of International Affairs hosted a welcome luncheon for them and invited all students from the NCKU-Purdue 3+1+1 Program to participate. The event was lively with students enthusiastically engaging in discussions.
During their stay, the Purdue students visited the Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institute and NCKU’s Core Facility Center, participated in a hands-on workshop to build Bluetooth speakers, and observed classes at NCKU’s Language Center to experience the daily life of NCKU students.
 

Purdue students participated in an advanced English class, engaging in enriching dialogues with NCKU students.

Students from the NCKU-Purdue 3+1+1 Program also volunteered as hosts, guiding the Purdue students through local experiences such as karaoke, night markets, and traditional Tainan delicacies. Such rare opportunities for cross-cultural exchange have undoubtedly broadened the international perspectives of all students involved.