MCU International College Holds “College Student NSTC Workshop”

By Nabi Bui

On October 31, 2025, the International College of Ming Chuan University (MCU) hosted the College Student NSTC Workshop in Room E202 on the Taipei Campus. The workshop aimed to introduce and encourage students to participate in the NSTC Student Research Grant Program, attracting a large number of MCU students and faculty members.

Workshop Highlights
At the beginning of the session, professors from the International College gave a detailed introduction to the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Student Research Grant, which is open to undergraduate students from universities across Taiwan.

Selected students may receive a research scholarship of NT$48,000, along with an additional NT$20,000 for research-related expenses.

In addition, the MCU Sprout Bonus provides an internal reward of up to NT$6,000, motivating students to actively apply and submit their research proposals.

One faculty member emphasized:
“Even if you’re not sure whether you’ll win the scholarship, applying is already valuable. As long as you submit a valid application, the university will still acknowledge your effort and support you with NT$2,000 in the initial stage.”

For the 2024–2025 academic year, the International College achieved 15 NSTC Student Grant awards, demonstrating the dedication and hard work of MCU students and faculty.

Advice from Professors
Professor Bruno shared techniques on how to find and analyze research data, encouraging students to conduct surveys, interviews, and utilize publicly available datasets online.

He also stressed the importance of choosing a feasible topic and selecting data that aligns with the research objectives.

He added that combining ambition with practicality is key to completing a strong graduation project.

Real Experience from an NSTC Awardee
A special guest at the workshop, Joseph P. Lavallee, an assistant and NSTC awardee for his project “Development of AI-related Curriculum in Taiwanese Universities,” shared his firsthand experience with the NSTC application and research process.

During his talk, Joseph highlighted three key factors for success:
1. Believe in yourself and your topic.
“You don’t have to do a project about AI – it could be about education, economics, or the environment. What matters is believing in your own idea.”
2. Combine classroom learning with practical research.
He encouraged students currently taking Research Methods to develop their class projects into NSTC proposals, saving time and building a strong foundation for their thesis.
3. Find the right advisor.
A good mentor not only helps refine your research content but also guides you in the right direction throughout the entire process.

Joseph also reminded students that grades are not everything:
“Focus on making your research meaningful and feasible. If you believe in your project, others will too.”

The workshop successfully provided students with valuable insights into the NSTC application process while fostering early interest in academic research. The International College hopes that more MCU students will confidently apply for the 2025 NSTC Student Research Grant and continue to demonstrate their creativity and academic potential.