Highlights of Taipeh – Study Tour Pt I

This time it was just a short trip to Taipeh. I went with a women’s organization known as SWEPA or Sabah Women Entrepreneurs and Professionals Association on a social study trip.

On our schedule were official visits to four places to learn more about their set up and roles in relation to Malaysia.

The Vanung University in Taoyuan area was our first stop. It comprises four colleges, namely, the College of Engineering and Electronic Information, College of Management, College of Tourism and Hospitality and the College of Design.  Many Malaysians of Chinese ethnicity are given scholarships annually to further their education at this university. We met a large group of young Malaysian students who had been given this opportunity. This university has received the highest MOE teaching excellence award in the Greater Taoyuan area.

I also presented some of my books to the Dean of the College of Tourism and Hospitality, Dr. Rong-Tsu Wang

We visited the different departments in the College of Tourism and Hospitality and saw first hand the emphasis they placed on practical training. Excellent facilities such as the set up of an actual airlines office and the interior of an airplane cabin ensured that the students would be well-trained and hence highly marketable upon graduation. 

Another instance was the replica of a hotel, complete with a reception foyer, furnished ensuite bedrooms and suites so that hotel management students would be well-qualified to seek careers in the hotel industry.

The second place of interest was the century-old Kuo Yuan Ye Museum of Cake and Pastry. It is a huge place and school children led by their teachers were seen paying a visit to this bakery. Taiwan has very advanced technology in food manufacturing and the detailed attention paid to the packaging of their products is part of their branding. We also learned that their bakery uses high tech processes to recycle the water they used. Sampling the innumerable varieties of delectable biscuits, pastries and nougat enhanced our experience and we needed no persuasion to bring home boxes of what took our fancy.