Malaysian pursuing a doctorate in Taiwan strives to drive a new trend in education after returning to hometown

The Cultural Taiwan Foundation (文化台灣基金會) and seataichung (SEAT南方時驗室) launched "Scanning Peripheral Memories of whom" project which targets Southeast Asian ethnic groups in Taiwan. Together with the interdisciplinary teaching community of National Chi Nan University (國立暨南大學)- seataichung, a creative workshop was recently held to document the life of Southeast Asians in Taiwan. Some overseas Chinese students even integrate their experiences studying in Taiwan into creations.

In addition, Taiwan's higher education policy for overseas Chinese has been implemented for many years. There are quite a few outstanding alumni and most of them are from Malaysia. Schools in Taiwan actively cooperate with the "The New Southbound Policy" promoted by the central government, strengthening academic exchanges with Southeast Asian countries. Besides, the Ministry of Education and Overseas Community Affairs agencies also provide various scholarships to attract more overseas Chinese to study in Taiwan.

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Lin participated in the creative workshop to show his attitude towards life. (Photo / Provided by Lin Wei Jie)

【Taiwan Immigrants' Global News Network】reported in the project "Scanning Peripheral Memories of whom" a few days ago, and one of our editors obtained an opportunity to have a phone interview with Lin Wei Jie (林維杰) from Malaysia who has participated in the project During the interview, Lin Weijie mentioned that he is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at National Chi Nan University, majoring in Counseling Psychology and Human Resources Development.

He shared with us the meaning of his creation for this project. Because he adopts "strict self-discipline" and he strives to do his best for every aspect of his life so that the top part of this painting means “where the heart follows”. The sky-blue background symbolizes "freedom", and the middle part means "current life". The green background represents "discipline", and the bottom part means "future life" with a scattered arrangement that shows challenges without rules.

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Lin praised Taiwan's professional development of counseling psychology is the best in Asia. (Photo / Retrieved from Pixabay)

Lin frankly said that choosing to study counseling psychology in Taiwan is because of Taiwan’s leading and mature development in this field in Asia.

After graduating from a university in Malaysia, Lin first went to Singapore to study for a master's degree offered by National Chi Nan University. After graduating, he applied for scholarships from the Ministry of Education of Taiwan and continue to study counseling psychology here.

Lin shared his experience of studying in Taiwan with the editor of "Taiwan Immigrants' Global News Network". (Photo / Provided by Lin Wei Jie)

In September 2015, Lin traveled to Taiwan and embarked on a journey of studying for a doctorate. He did not really face any language barrier when he came here because his ethnicity is Chinese. Instead, he fell in love with this land quickly.

Lin praised the "democracy and freedom" that the Taiwanese are proud of. Everyone can do what they like and live their most comfortable life. He also mentioned that through the academic training of the institute while studying for a doctorate, his attitude towards life has gradually changed. "Viewing everything from different angles" is the most important essence in the field of counseling psychology.

In the future, Lin Wei will drive new trends in the education field in Malaysia. (Photo / Provided by Lin Wei Jie)

Lastly, Lin shared his future career plan with the editor of 【Taiwan Immigrants' Global News Network】. After completing a doctorate in Taiwan, he is returning to

Malaysia. He will combine “Counseling Psychology Major” and “Education” and apply to the care of physical, mental, and spiritual development of children receiving schooling. Starting from primary school education, he wishes to realize his plan with what he learned in Taiwan and drive a new trend in the education sector in Malaysia.

Lin also especially recommends an authentic Malaysian restaurant in Taichung named老王去野餐 to readers. He told us the chef is from Malacca, Malaysia and all dishes in the restaurant are authentic Malaysian flavors. He highly recommends Taiwanese to get a taste of it.