UND VP reflects on Fulbright experience in Taiwan

Vice President for Student Affairs Art Malloy eager to welcome Taiwanese counterparts to UND for cultural, scholastic exchange

A UND vice president recently returned from an academic and cultural exchange to Taiwan, an experience he described as the most spectacular of his career.

Vice President of Student Affairs Art Malloy visited the East Asian island nation as part of the prestigious Fulbright program – the U.S. government’s flagship international exchange program. Established by former U.S. Sen. J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, the program provides grants and scholarships for successful applicants to study, conduct research or teach in over 160 countries.

Malloy and 15 Fulbright fellows from across the United States spent a whirlwind two weeks touring Taiwan’s educational institutions, government agencies and important cultural sites.

“It was enlightening,” he said. “I feel better about the world and will be forever changed as a result of having spent time there.”

Malloy also met with several Taiwanese government leaders, including the ministers of education and foreign affairs – and added that all were well-versed with UND’s reputation in the fields of business, engineering, aerospace, satellite testing and design and national security studies.

“It was a wonderful thing to go there and meet dignitaries who were waiting to have conversations with me about UND,” he said. “I made sure they knew we recently launched satellites, and they were really interested in potential partnerships to this area.”

Taiwan’s status as a leading producer of semiconductors – an essential component of modern electronics, communications, medical devices and banking transactions – aligns closely with many of UND’s STEM related activities. According to the International Trade Administration, the country of about 23 million manufactures around 90% of the world’s leading-edge chips.

Malloy also received a warm welcome from UND alumnus and Taiwan native Ian Lin, who returned to the country to complete his military service and prepare for graduate school. As a reader of UND Today, Lin learned of Malloy’s Fulbright and wanted to welcome him personally to Taiwan.

A key component of Malloy’s Fulbright was learning about the country’s higher education system and examining the role of universities in promoting peace. Education is highly valued in Taiwan, as evidenced by more than 60% of adults holding a post-secondary degree.

“Though all the universities I visited were highly impressive, because of my emphasis on peace, the place I was most impressed with was National Sun Yat-sen University because of the creative ways they promote peace inside and outside of the classroom,” Malloy said. “I have reached out to two professors there to let them know I want to find appropriate ways to partner with them at UND.

“I achieved my objectives. One was to learn more about their education system and learn more about ways in which we can be cooperative and forge meaningful partnerships. They clearly want to do all these things.”

Malloy also looks forward to meeting with Provost Eric Link to share his experience with him.

Education, Malloy added, “provides great opportunity, gives you confidence, and is an antidote to prejudice and other social ills.”

“I’ve always believed that the more education you have, the less likely you are to deal with some of the issues we see daily in the United States,” he said. “You realize that everyone is trying to succeed, and there’s no reason to place judgement on someone because they are different.”

Malloy said he admires the pride Taiwanese people take in keeping public spaces clean and orderly and called it a “high trust society.”

“What struck me about Taiwan is how safe it is, and how nice the people are,” Malloy said. “They expect everyone else to respect their culture of cleanliness. They take a lot of pride in their country.”

Taiwanese food and tea – specifically Oolong tea – were highlights of the trip for Malloy and added that he has mastered the art of eating exclusively with chopsticks.

“The food was absolutely amazing – I gained eight pounds,” Malloy joked. “Even people from mainland China will tell you that Taiwan has the best food. I was also so impressed with the process of making tea. I had thought you just take the leaves, crush them up and pour some water over them, but it’s so much more detailed and elaborate than that.”

When talk turns to China

Despite being in a geopolitically contested region of the world, with a militarily powerful neighbor in China located only about 100 nautical miles to the west, Malloy said such tensions are not topics in everyday conversation.

“Publicly, they say, ‘we have a great relationship with China,’” he said. “I think they avoid discussing it, because they’re never sure who might be listening.”

Malloy said the connections he made and the potential for scholastic and cultural exchange between Taiwan and UND were the most impactful aspects of his trip.

“I have about 70 or 80 business cards, and everyone who gives you one really wants to hear from you,” he said. “If I have anything to do with it, UND will take advantage of these opportunities to have Taiwanese scholars — including students and faculty — on campus for exchanges, and to conduct research jointly.”

Malloy unequivocally recommends Fulbright to any interested student, faculty or staff member, adding that the program serves as an experiential learning opportunity. He also looks forward to sharing Fulbright opportunities with UND students.

“I don’t think there’s anything like it,” he said. “As an entity, Fulbright has decades of experience sending students, faculty and staff abroad, so they know how to make the opportunity and experience better. All the Fulbright programs allow you to get immersed in the culture. I want others to have this opportunity because it so amazing. The people are kind and warm, the weather is tropical and the culture is extraordinary. Great things await those who travel there.”