We are seeking high school partners for an online course exchange. This initiative aims to foster cross-cultural communication and broaden our students international perspectives. We plan to have at least 3 online interactive sessions per year.

Our Goals

• Promote cross-cultural exchange between our students.
• Enhance students global perspectives and communication skills.
• Establish long-term partnerships with high schools abroad.

Our Proposed Plan

• Teacher Collaboration: Before the sessions, teachers from both schools will collaboratively discuss and select topics suitable for students, such as campus life and cultural traditions.
• Online Sessions: We envision 3 online sessions per year focusing on cultural exchange.
• Future Exchange: Following the online sessions, we hope to explore the possibility of in-person exchanges during the winter or summer breaks, inviting students to visit our campus for hands-on cultural activities.

The Indigenous Taiwanese Division, PPSH, now in its 15th year, was born from the aftermath of Typhoon Morakot, one of Taiwans most devastating natural disasters. During relief efforts, professors and students from National Tsing Hua University recognized that while immediate aid was crucial, long-term community resilience and development required a deeper investment in education.

They chose to partner with National PingPei Senior High School, believing that by providing tailored resources and dedicated instruction, they could cultivate the next generation of indigenous talent. The program began in the 2010 academic year under Tsing Hua Universitys leadership and has been successfully managed by PingPei Senior High School since 2019, with continued guidance from the founding professors.

Our program stands as a beacon of hope in indigenous education, proving that academic excellence and cultural pride are not mutually exclusive. Here are three highlights of our unique approach:

• Academic & Cultural Integration: Weve created a balanced curriculum that combines general education with ethnic studies, showing that cultural learning enhances, rather than hinders, academic performance.
• Deepening Language Heritage: Through systematic language courses and diverse activities, our students consistently achieve high proficiency in their native languages, winning numerous national awards.
• Global Perspective: Students engage in "Hometown Service" and international exchange camps, allowing them to confidently share their culture with the world and build a deep sense of cultural pride.

Our residential program provides a structured and supportive environment. Students live in the dorms for the first five semesters, with scheduled study halls and academic tutoring. Our dormitory motto is "frugality, health, and Eco-friendly," and two retired teachers volunteer as mentors, teaching valuable life skills and providing emotional support.

The program also offers weekend stayovers for students in need, with over 1,000 requests fulfilled in the last academic year. Special lectures and activities are organized during holidays to broaden students horizons and deepen their connection to indigenous culture and ecological preservation.

Our students excel academically, with performance in core subjects like Chinese, English, and Math showing no significant difference compared to non-indigenous classes. Our ethnic education curriculum has also yielded impressive results, with over 85% of students passing the intermediate indigenous language certification. We have also won numerous national awards in language and folk song competitions, highlighting the effectiveness of our program.

Through cultural courses and activities, students learn to be proud of their heritage and become role models for their peers. This has a positive impact on their emotional well-being and resilience, helping them navigate academic challenges with greater confidence.

Our program successfully prepares students for higher education, with the majority of graduates continuing their studies. A significant number are accepted into national and military/police academies, reflecting their strong academic performance. We also provide extensive support to help students navigate the various university application channels and scholarship programs for indigenous students.

We provide full information and guidance to students, including counseling sessions, university information sessions, mock interviews for teacher scholarship programs, and one-on-one advising.

This past academic year has once again demonstrated the value and resilience of our experimental education program. We have achieved significant outcomes in academic performance, cultural preservation, and global perspective. The excellent university admission rates and overall development of our students are a testament to the success of our model.

While we face challenges, we are committed to strengthening our program. We will reinforce our core vision of "cultivating indigenous leaders," enhance our collaboration with National Tsing Hua University, and motivate our students through various activities and a robust reward system. By doing so, we are confident in our ability to continue nurturing more young indigenous leaders who are proud of their heritage, knowledgeable, and confident in facing the world and contributing to their communities.