About Us
The Taiwan-based, Europe-focused and world-oriented Graduate Institute of European Cultures and Tourism (GIECT) at NTNU was founded in 2007 as a place where students carry out research on European cultures and tourism from an international and multicultural perspective. Some of the features that make our school unique in Taiwan include:
• The two-week field trip in Europe: at the end of their first school year in our Institute, our students continue their activities with a summer field trip in Europe developed in partnership with a prestigious European universities;
• The dual master degree from Taiwan and France: as part of our extensive collaboration with the University of Angers and the University of Burgandy, our students can enroll in the two graduate programs and work for a dual degree–ESTHUA in Angers and PIECE in Burgandy.
• The exchange student opportunities: many of our students opt for experiencing first-hand the atmosphere of a European university by becoming an exchange student;
• The financial incentives: students can compete for several scholarships, including one of up to 50,000 NTD, offered by our Institute.
Background
One of Taiwan’s premier universities, National Taiwan Normal University is renowned for achievements in the humanities, the fine arts and education. The Centre d’Enseignement du Français at NTNU has an impressive record teaching French language and culture.
NTNU’s Center for Chinese Language and Culture Studies has for decades been teaching Mandarin language and culture to students all over the world. Founded in 2006, our Institute draws on NTNU’s strong liberal arts traditions and broad international orientation.
Through tourism and culture-related study and practice, GIECT takes an integrative approach to educating accomplished specialists.
Since August 1 2007, the Centre d’Enseignement du Français has also becom affiliated with GIECT.
History
Preparations for establishing GIECT began when the President of NTNU formed an exploratory committee for GIECT. Its members were: former Minister of Education Kuo Wei-fan, President Lee Ming-hui of the Taiwan Tourism and Hospitality College, former Director Chiu Ta-huan of the Institute of European Studies, Tamkang University, Dean of Student Affairs Horng Jeou-shyan, Dean of Liberal Arts Chang Wu-chang, Professor Liang Sun-chieh of the Department of English and Professor Lai Shou-cheng of the Centre d’Enseignement du Français. The committee was chaired by Professor Lai, who, beginning from August 1, 2007, also serves as the director of GIECT.
Mission
GIECT aims to
· train gifted young scholars in the field of tourism studies, as well as tourism professionals with strong expertise in European cultures.
· cooperate with major European universities to enhance international student and intercultural exchange.
· increase national competitiveness by intertwining tourism and culture through academic research and cooperation with the tourism industry.
· integrate existing resources with a view to increasing the familiarity of the Taiwanese public with European cultures.
· stimulate Europe-relates research in Taiwan.
Development, Description and Aims
GIECT is a culture and tourism research and training center that makes effective use of NTNU’s equipment and resources, keeps up with developments at the major institutions of tourism studies around the world, and coordinates with the developmental objectives and trends of Taiwan’s tourism industry, as well as the national development planning.
1.Balancing theory and practice
At GIECT, the study of European cultures is geared toward providing students with a solid theoretical foundation while simultaneously developing a large set of cultural resources to benefit tourism. It is our strong belief that a growing acceptance of the major significance of tourism and recreation in our time means that more and more people can personally experience the colorful diversity of European cultures.
2. Developing a new meaning for tourism
We approach the meaning of tourism and travel by using the concept of culture: “cultural tourism” means to personally experience the mode of life of a certain place or region. It can be oriented toward places (historical sites, galleries, museums, opera houses, churches, conurbations, national parks), events (festivals, religious and secular, exhibitions, book fairs), or even daily life (dining, shopping, trends and fashion). All these orientations need to be seen as capable of expanding cultural and life experiences, as well as promoting an understanding of different cultures and natural environments.
3. Professionalization
GIECT aims to raise the level of professionalism of the tourism industry by ensuring that graduates gain intimate familiarity with the European cultural and geographic environment. We see our graduates not just as future tourism personnel, but also as consultants with specialized knowledge, or even as “cultural navigators” who can take visitors to the very essence of European cultures. Liberal arts education and specialized training ensure that our graduates will become into true cultural educators.
4. Providing comprehensive training in European tourism and culture in accord with the Challenge 2008 National Development Plan.
Practical Objectives
We aim to offer to our graduates comprehensive training in the fields of
· promote intercultural exchange.
· raise national competitiveness.
1. Short-term:
· Integrate NTNU’s resources in order to carry out research on Europe oriented cultures and tourism.
· Train cultural and tourism specialists that possess an international vision and a deep cultural competence. .
2. Mid-term:
· Offer courses in several European languages.
· Advance interdepartmental integration in accord with NTNU’s university transformations.
· Form sister-university relationships with major European universities.
· Engage in industry-university cooperation with a view to diversifying domestic and international practice opportunities.
· Enhance mechanisms of academic and personnel exchanges.
· Publish a dedicated academic journal as a means to promote internationalcultural and academic exchange.
· Improve the quality of the Taiwanese tourism industry.
· Set up a globally-oriented academic discussion board on Europe/tourism/culture.
· Hold an international conference on topics related to GIECT’s activity.
· Establish databases for theoretical or empirical research.
3. Long-term :
· Train tourism professionals as part of the government’s Asia Pacific Regional Operations Center (APROC) policy.
· Live up to the “Taiwan-based, Europe-focused, and world-oriented” motto and promote debate and research of a theoretical and empirical nature, by integrating tourism resources in industry, government and academia.
Career Path
| Field | Alumni Institutions or Employers | ||
| Further Studies | Ph.D. Programs in European Culture or Cultural Tourism | * King’s College London, UK * Durham University, UK * Université Paris-Sorbonne, France * Ph.D. Program in Arts Management and Cultural Policy, National Taiwan University of Arts *Ph.D. Program in Cultural Heritage and Arts Innovation, Taipei National University of the Arts | |
| Employment | Industry Sector | Cultural & Arts Events Professionals | *Xi’an Huao Likang Group — Brand Cultural Event Promotion (China) * Salon cultural studies— Founder / Director *Urdct C&C — Art Marketing |
| Cultural & Creative Industries Professionals | * Corporate Synergy Development Center — Marketing Promotion & Cultural and Creative Group Consultant * Taiwan Design Center — Project Manager * ARTCODE CREATIVE LTD — Project Assistant *Acoustiguide— Art Planner * Taiwan International Student Design Competition — Project Manager | ||
| Tourism & Hospitality Industry Professionals | * Airline Ground Crew (Malaysia) * China Travel Service (UK) Ltd. — Specialist (UK) * China Travel Service (France) Ltd. — Tour Guide (France) * Easy Tour France (Travel Agency) — Assistant (France) * Silks Place Tainan — Banquet Sales * Lion Travel Service Co., Ltd., KKday —Tour Planner & Themed Tour Product Planner * BEST WAY TRAVEL SERVICE CO., LTD.— Planner * THE ONE STYLE TOUR SERVICE CO.,LTD.— OP | ||
| Fashion and Lifestyle Industry Professionals | * Martell & Co— Foreign Language Tour Guide *Sephora — Senior Design Project Specialist (China) *Direct Wines Taiwan — Creative Manager *Hermès— Sales & Administrative Assistant * Adidas Sports (China) Co., Ltd.—Social Media Marketing Manager | ||
| Cultural / Travel Media & Publishing Professional | * JOOX Music（Tencent Mobility Limited / Tencent Music Entertainment Group） * “Célia’s Wine Journey” Channel — Independent Media Content Creator (France) * Artist Magazine — Editor-in-Chief * Image & Imagine Cultural and Educational Foundation — Cultural Promotion * Asia Pacific Advertising Co., Ltd.— Planner * Showwe Information Co., Ltd.— Executive Editor |
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| Museums & Art Gallery Professionals | * Aurora Museum Shanghai — Exhibition Planner (China) * Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) Marketing Communications Office — Business Specialist (Museum Business) * National Taichung Theater (NTT) — Administration & On-site Supervisor * Museum of World Religions Foundation — Assistant * Evergreen Maritime Museum — Section Member |
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| European Representative Offices in Taiwan | * British Council — Specialist *DE’AN INTERNATIONAL TRADING CO., LIMITED— Overseas Department Handler |
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| International Marketing & Communication Professionals | *Google Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.— Marketing (Malaysia)
* TELE Direct Asia — Online Sales Consultant / Google Ads Campaign Specialist (Malaysia) * ASUSTeK Computer Czech Republic s.r.o.— Product Manager (Czech Republic) * Chong Wei Enterprise Co., Ltd.— International Marketing Sales * Saint Island International Patent & Law Offices — Assistant *Bulanya International Trade Co., Ltd.— Foreign Trade Specialist * Jhen Zhi Co., Ltd. — Overseas Sales Representative * Accusys Storage Ltd. — Business Development Manager *Fox-Tech Co., Ltd.— International Marketing * ASUSTeK Computer Inc. — Digital Marketing * National Credit Card Center of R.O.C. (NCCC)— Marketing Planner * Micro-Star International Co., Ltd. (MSI)— Product Manager *EuroAsia Exhibition Services Co., Ltd.— Sales *Gamania Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.— Content Marketing Specialist *MediaTek Inc. — Assistant *HRB Enterprise Co., Ltd.— Overseas Department Marketing Planner * BSI Taiwan (British Standards Institution) — Marketing Planner * Marketing Planner, BSI Taiwan (British Standards Institution) *ViewSonic Corporation— Global Product Marketing (Art Displays Division) |
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| Cultural Heritage-Related Professionals | * Wufeng Lin Family Mansion and Garden (Gongbao 1st Villa) —Marketing Specialist | ||
| Other Industries | * Korn Ferry — HR Specialist (USA) * French Shipping Line — Import/Export Customs Specialist (France) * Design OVERLAY — Account & Communication Manager (China) * Public Relations Firm — Specialist *Cathay Life Insurance Co., Ltd.— Life Insurance Advisor * Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital — English Translator/Editor * Kaohsiung Southeast Asia Industry and Academia Exchange Association — Specialist *FIKA FIKA CAFE CORPORATION—HQ Administrative Specialist / Back Office Staff * Foundation on Asia-Pacific Peace Studies (FAPS)— Secretary * Executive Search Firm / Recruitment Agency (Singapore)— Executive Recruiter *Michael Page International (UK) — Executive Recruiter | ||
| Government Sector | Cultural Administration Personnel | * Ministry of Culture (Taiwan) – Department of Cultural Exchange (Americas Section) — Project Assistant * National Central Library – MOFA Taiwan Fellowship— Assistant for Taiwan Fellowship (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) * Cultural Affairs Department, New Taipei City Government – Performing and Visual Arts Division —Event Planner * Tainan Art Museum (TAM) – Department of Education and Public Services | |
| Tourism Administration Personnel | * Tourism Department, Hualien County Government — Officer * Northeast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area Administration, Tourism Administration, MOTC—Officer | ||
| Science & Technology Administration Personnel | * National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Industry-Academia Cooperation Office— Project Planner | ||
| Academia / Education | Higer Education Faculty | * Yilan Community College —Instructor / Lecturer | |
| Primary & Secondary School Teachers | * French Middle School — English Teacher (France) *The Affiliated Senior High School of National Taiwan Normal University (HSNU)— Geography Teacher * Taichung Municipal Taichung Second Senior High School — English Teacher * Taipei Municipal Heping High School — History Teacher * Taipei Private Wego Senior High School— Geography Teacher * New Taipei Municipal Shiding High School — Geography Teacher *Taipei Municipal Zhongshan Elementary School — Teacher * New Taipei Municipal Sanxia Elementary School — Teacher * Taichung Municipal Zhishan Junior High School — English Teacher |
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| Academic Research / Administrative Personnel | * University in Mainland China — Administrative Staff (China) * European School — Administrative Staff * Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages – Department of International Affairs— Research Assistant * National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) – Office of International Affairs (OIA) — Administrative Specialist * Asia University – Department of Visual Communication Design —Full-time Administrative Assistant *National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) – Secretariat, Public Affairs Center— Full-time Assistant *National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) – Resource Center for EMI (English as a Medium of Instruction)— Project Manager * National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) – Office of Global Affairs—Research Assistant for New Southbound Policy Project *National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) – Arts Center— Administrative Staff * National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) – Office of Research and Development— Administrative Staff | ||
| Language Learning Institutions | * Times International Language Center — English Lecturer * National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) – School of Continuing Education— English Instructor * United Daily News Group (UDN Group) – Education Department— English Education Specialist | ||
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