Border Pedagogy Forum and Workshop: From Classroom to Homeplace

NDHU Facilitates Cross-Cultural Educational Dialogue

Hualien, Taiwan—The Graduate Program of Multicultural Education, Hua-Shih College of Education, National Dong Hwa University (NDHU), held the “Border Pedagogy Forum and Workshop: From Classroom to Homeplace” on September 13–14, 2025. This event brought together academics, educators, students, and practitioners from various countries to discuss cross-border pedagogy, critical literacy, and the importance of cross-cultural education.

Day One: Academic Dialogue and Idea Exchange

The first day of the forum took place at Hua-Shih College of Education, National Dong Hwa University, Taiwan. It opened with remarks from Prof. Pan Wen-Fu, Dr. Chang Ying-Tzu Ena, and Dr. Lien Hsi Nancy.

Keynote speeches were delivered by Prof. Chung Hsiu-Mei (National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan), Dr. Dwi Rosita Sari, M.Pd. (PGRI Madiun University, Indonesia), and Prof. Duong Minh Thanh (Ho Chi Minh City University, Vietnam), Khafifa Fuji Lestari S.Pd., M.Pd., (Hasanuddin University, Indonesia), Dr. Abdul Halim (IAIN Kendarin, Indonesia), MeiYu, Nguyen Thi Thuy Dung, Ariana, Yofrina (Ph.D. Student, NDHU, Taiwan)

Bringing together speakers from Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Columbia, they explored issues of global field engagement, cross-cultural learning, and graduate students' border communities in the making. This forum provided a platform for the exchange of ideas and experiences in cross-border education.

Day Two: Connecting with the Community

The second day took place at the Datong Theater in Hualien. The community discussion session addressed the theme "A Communal Way of Life with Neighborly Love and Care" and featured local practitioners from Taiwan.

"Through this workshop and forum, we can learn from each other. The classroom is no longer a confined space, but a shared space that connects lives," said Dr. Lien Hsi Nancy.

Furthermore, NDHU Master's and Doctoral students also facilitated a Community Workshop themed "Interweaving and Connecting of Cross Stitch," which demonstrated the interconnectedness of artistic practice and collaborative learning.

This event was organized by the Graduate Program of Multicultural Education, National Dong Hwa University, Taiwan, in collaboration with the New Southbound Policy Project, Ministry of Education, and supported by the Center for Multicultural Education, NDHU, and the Hualien County Nou-Li Community Interchange Association.

With 70 participants, including 20 designated international students and workers, this activity successfully expanded academic networks and enriched pedagogical discussions with a global perspective. This forum is expected to strengthen bridges of cross-cultural dialogue, foster critical awareness of cultural, identity, and environmental issues, and open up opportunities for future educational collaboration.