9/30/15

2015 Joint Conference of Taiwanese Student Association Presidents in Texas

 In an effort to strengthen the connection between the Ministry of Education in Taiwan and the Taiwanese Student Associations in Texas, The Education Division of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Houston conducted a two-day joint conference for the Taiwanese student association presidents in Texas on September 18-19, 2015 at the University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas. 26 presidents and board members of the Taiwanese Student Associations from 14 universities and colleges in Texas attended the conference this year.

Leadership workshop
On the first day of the conference, a leadership workshop was facilitated by the Center for International Studies of the University of St. Thomas. The Houston police department officer Ted Wang was invited to talk about the personal safety. The attendees were educated about not only how to react to the crime, but also how to interact with the police officers properly. The career counselor of the University of St. Thomas, Shay Carper, focused on the interview and resume presentation. She demonstrated several techniques involved in writing an impressive resume and interview tips. In the third session, Professor of the University of St. Thomas, Richard Sindelar, co-spoke with the licensed attorneys, Daniel Zhang and Dhiraj Suvarna on immigration and Visa issues related to the international students. Besides, the officer of the TECO in Houston, Howard Huang, was invited to introduce the consular services as well. After the workshop, a dinner was hosted by the Director General Louis M. Huang in order to welcome these young leaders from across Texas. The International Youth Ambassadors and Taiwan Scholarship alumni were invited to join the dinner as well.

Visiting American First National Bank

In addition to the sit-in workshop, a business visit trip was arranged for the first time on the second day of the conference. The representatives of the Taiwanese Student Associations visited the American First National Bank and the Energo Engineering, and met with the successful entrepreneurs and professionals in person. The entrepreneurs and professionals shared their experience of career path and professional development with these young leaders during the visit.

Visiting Energo Engineering
All the participants have found this conference is inspired, informative, and benefited greatly. Besides, through interacting with the representatives of Taiwanese Student Associations from different schools, a solid connection among Taiwanese Student Associations has been maintained and strengthened as well.