Hsinchu County’s Sheng-li Junior High School signed a sister-school MOU with Westmont Junior High School (of Westmont, Illinois) on November 17. This opened a new chapter in educational exchanges between the two schools. Hsinchu County Magistrate Yang Wen-ke states that the establishment of this sister-school relationship is an important milestone for primary education exchanges between Taiwan and the United States. He expressed hopes that the ongoing interaction between the two schools will help cultivate young talents’ global perspectives, and will broaden the educational horizons for the next generation.
Magistrate Yang noted that the County Government has been actively promoting international education by providing necessary resources and financial subsidies to schools, as well as by encouraging the establishment of sister-school relationships with international partners. These efforts are helping to broaden students’ vision and create more opportunities for educational exchange. Education Bureau Director Yang Chun-tzu adds that, to ensure equal education opportunities in urban and rural areas, the Bureau is pushing hard to promote teachers’ international empowerment certifications. The Bureau is also adopting technological applications, to support schools in offering online international exchange courses and help all students enjoy equal international exchange opportunities.
Westmont City and Hsinchu County have maintained close interactions since becoming sister cities in 2017. Special thanks should be paid to Overseas Chinese Affairs Consultant Angela Yang for her efforts in facilitating the establishment of this sister-school relationship. Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) Chicago Director General Dennis Yen-Feng Lei and Village of Westmont Mayor Ron Gunter were both present at the event and witnessed the historic moment. The Westmont Municipal Government held a special luncheon to welcome the Hsinchu County delegation, who were led by Sheng-li Junior High School Principal Wang Shu-lan. The delegation of teachers and students from Sheng-li Junior High School and Liou-Jia Senior High School had more than 20 members.
Mayor Ron Gunter pointed out that this new signing of the sister-school MOU will promote cultural understanding and friendship between young people in the two places. TECO Chicago Director General Lei also recognized the long-term efforts made by Consultant Angela Yang, Principal Wang Shu-lan, Westmont Communications Director Larry McIntyre, Hsinchu County Magistrate Yang Wen-ke, and Education Bureau Director Yang Chun-tzu in promoting exchanges between the sister cities and sister schools.
Principal Wang stated that the two schools will do video conferencing to promote teacher exchanges, curriculum collaboration, and cultural sharing in the future. The two schools will use a variety of approaches, such as exchange-student programs in both schools, camp activities, exhibitions, competitions, and more, to deepen the partnership, and create more learning opportunities for students to improve their intercultural communication skills.