Chancellor Lee Chuan Hosts Two Alumni Ambassadors, Celebrating MCU’s Achievements in International Education
From the Ming Chuan University (MCU) campus to the international diplomatic stage, two alumni have returned as ambassadors to Taiwan, where they spent years pursuing their education. On September 29, Dr. Lee Chuan, Chancellor of the MCU Global Education System, hosted a luncheon welcoming Donya L. Francis, Ambassador of Saint Kitts and Nevis to Taiwan, and Kenton X. Chance, Ambassador of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to Taiwan, along with their spouses. Held at the Ambassador Chinese restaurant in Tianmu, the gathering offered an opportunity to share memories of university life and discuss future international exchanges.
Both ambassadors have deep ties to MCU. Francis graduated from the International College’s Journalism and Mass Communication Program in 2016. Chance earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2011 and a master’s degree from the Graduate School of International Affairs the following year. After returning to their home countries, both pursued careers in diplomacy and were later appointed ambassadors to Taiwan. Once fellow MCU students, they have now returned as diplomats to a place they know well.
Remarkably, all three foreign nationals who studied in Taiwan and were subsequently appointed by their home countries as ambassadors to Taiwan are MCU alumni. In addition to Francis and Chance, Mirna Mariela Rivera Andino, a graduate of the International College’s International Business and Trade Program, became Nicaragua’s ambassador to Taiwan in 2020. Their journeys from MCU to diplomatic service mark a distinctive achievement in the university’s longstanding commitment to international education.
Chancellor Lee said it was particularly rewarding to see the two alumni grow from young university students into diplomats representing their nations. Beyond serving as important bridges between Taiwan and its Caribbean diplomatic allies, they demonstrate how graduates of MCU’s international education programs continue to make an impact across countries and professional fields.
Francis and Chance shared that MCU had been their home while studying abroad and expressed pride in the international education they received there. The International College provides an English-language learning environment across professional, general education, and physical education courses. Bilingual campus information, together with support for daily life and academic studies, helps students from different countries study with confidence in Taiwan and become part of the campus community.
During the luncheon, participants also exchanged views on international education partnerships, exchanges for young talent, and stronger alumni connections. Chancellor Lee presented each ambassador with an “MCU Bear” wearing an MCU T-shirt, carrying a schoolbag, and sporting a hat, giving the graduates a keepsake of their alma mater to take home.
MCU has long cultivated international talent through English-medium instruction and a multicultural learning environment. This year, the university further expanded its overseas educational presence through a joint educational partnership with California State University, Long Beach. MCU will continue to deepen international cooperation in education, academic pursuits, and cultural exchange.