My recent trip to Taiwan led me somewhere often overlooked by travellers hurrying to Taipei or Kaohsiung—a quiet yet culturally rich township called Dalin, in Chiayi County. In southern Taiwan, Dalin offers a refreshing blend of rural charm, spiritual heritage, and genuine hospitality. Walking through Dalin’s streets felt like stepping into a gentler rhythm of life. The township is framed by lush farmlands and soft hills, with the distant peaks of Alishan whispering on the horizon.
It was again due to work that I went to Taiwan. I, together with the delegation from STI West Negros University, led by our president, Dr. Ryan Mark Molina, visited our international academic partner, Nanhua University. NHU, known as a “forest university,” is a serene campus embraced by greenery and known for its strong emphasis on culture, ethics, and holistic education. Its label is apt for NHU because of its natural environment and emphasis on environmental education.
NHU emphasizes diligence, honesty, and humility in its approach to education. The university strongly focuses on general education and the humanistic spirit, nurturing students in academic excellence but also in values that shape their character. Its international business administration program is also one of its strengths. NHU stands among the top private universities in Chiayi City and is ranked 334th in the Asian University Rankings – Eastern Asia 2025.
NHU has been ranked in Times Higher Education’s Impact Rankings, placing 95th in Impact Rankings: Reducing Inequalities in 2022. It also ranked in the top 100 of the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings for its environmental protection and sustainable development efforts. It has also received various awards for its Green Campus initiatives, including the National Sustainability Award, the National Corporate Environment Gold Award, and the Titan Award—the highest award in Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Sustainability.
One of the most remarkable places we visited was the Wu Jin Zang Library. The name carries profound meaning: “Wujin” means endless, infinite, or inexhaustible, while “Zang” means treasure, storehouse, or collection—especially of scripture or teachings. In Buddhist thought, Wu Jin Zang refers to a boundless source of wisdom, compassion, and merit, like a treasure trove that never runs out, no matter how much is drawn from it. Stepping into the library felt exactly like that—an encounter with limitless knowledge and inspiration. Upon entering, we were greeted by the giant statue of NHU’s founder, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, and just above his monument were inscribed the three good deeds he preaches: think good thoughts, speak good words, and do good acts—a simple yet profound guide for life and learning.
My favorite part of the library is the One-Stroke Calligraphy Sky Lantern Interactive Zone, where I got to digitally tick sky lanterns while making a wish, sending them up into the sky and giggling like a little girl. The library also houses the Books and Arts Gallery, which was established to hold arts and culture exhibitions and promote social events. Various exhibits—such as aesthetics, art displays, and arts and humanities showcases—are held regularly to enrich the students’ lives on campus.
During our visit, we benchmarked several academic units—specifically the Colleges of Business, Arts and Design, Education, Humanities, Information and Technology and the university’s Library and Laboratories. Benchmarking these areas allowed us to observe best practices, innovative programs, and facilities supporting cutting‑edge learning environments. In the academe, benchmarking is vital, especially now that the direction is to offer education that meets global standards. By learning from institutions like NHU, universities can align their programs, teaching methods, and support systems with international trends, ensuring that students have competencies relevant to an increasingly interconnected world.
During the international lectures, I and my colleagues Dr. Democrito Juyamao of the College of Education and Dr. Mima Villanueva of the College of Business Management and Accountancy spoke about the impact of culture and the political climate on the implementation and compliance with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, the current state of Philippine Education and the best practices and SDG‑aligned initiatives of STI West Negros University.
This growing partnership with Nanhua University is expected to significantly contribute to STI West Negros University’s vision of becoming one of the leading universities in Asia while aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals—particularly in promoting quality education, fostering sustainable cities and communities, and advancing decent work and economic growth. These experiences—lanterns, libraries, and lasting ties—will continue to shape our path forward. But of course, at the end of official business, our very generous hosts, Dr. Yueh Chiao Yeh, vice president of NHU, and Dr. Chun Chun Lin, dean of International and Cross-Strait Affairs, made sure we did not miss experiencing their rich culture and savory food. But that will have to be in my next column.*
