TCU Sets Up Education Centers in the State of California, USA

Text: Alex Tan
Photo: Tzu Chi volunteers, the US
Translation: J.B. Willis, Steve J. Lin

The internationalization of higher education is a trend around the world. The United States is the global leader in technology and education, so it attracts students around the world to study there. Tzu Chi Foundation’s US headquarters is located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, which is the most populated area in the State of California. It is also the most inhabited area for Taiwanese immigrants. TCU has been expanding its international collaborations for years, and since southern California plays a big role in higher education, it is a strategic spot for TCU’s international endeavors. This time, TCU set up two education centers there, for enhancing its student recruitment, academic collaborations and research capabilities.

One education center is located in San Dimas, where Tzu Chi Foundation’s US Headquarter is situated. Another one is in Walnut, where the Tzu Chi US Education Foundation is based. Many school teachers and students at local Tzu Chi schools, as well as local Tzu Chi volunteers, attended the opening ceremony, which was presided over by TCU’s vice president Ingrid Liu, Tzu Chi US Charity Foundation CEO Han Huang, and Tzu Chi US Education Foundation CEO Jia-Huei Mu.

Vice president Ingrid Liu pointed out that each canter has its special features, and they complement each other. Two centers will sponsor activities regularly, such as student recruitment and international collaboration. The San Dimas Center will focus on inviting American scholars to guide students and initiate research collaborations in the US. The Walnut Center will center on providing internship programs for TCU students, assisting TCU faculty members in their field studies, and carrying out student exchange programs during summer or winter breaks. These programs will be helpful for TCU faculty members and students to experience American life and culture firsthand.

Han Huang, CEO of Tzu Chi US Charity Foundation, explained that San Dimas Center is also the headquarters for Tzu Chi US, and it used to be a university campus. Consequently, it contains discussion rooms, classrooms and other teaching facilities. Dr. Huang wishes that TCU’s San Dimas Center can make better use of these available facilities. Jia-Huei Mu, CEO of Tzu Chi US Education Foundation mentioned that this newly set up center reminds us to do our best to carry out Tzu Chi’s Education Mission, no matter where we are. Children’s education in the US is what she really cares about, so she expects Tzu Chi’s complete education can also be provided in the US, which means extending Tzu Chi’s kindergarten and primary education in the US, will one day advance toward the goal of higher education.  Hopefully, Walnut can play a major role for Tzu Chi in education in the future.

TCU has taken large steps in recent years to work with other higher education institutions around the world, and it has partnered with over 50 of them. Due to its efforts, TCU’s international students constitute 10% of its student population, and more than 20 student groups go overseas every year to learn firsthand. Moreover, Tzu Chi Foundation has assisted more than 98 countries, and set up offices offering regular volunteer services in 58 countries. TCU was established by Tzu Chi Foundation, and Tzu Chi Foundation’s global offices and volunteers are more than willing to assist the University to set up education centers at strategic locations around the world, and help TCU to become a global university with both an academic reputation and humanistic culture.