At National Taiwan University (NTU), the journey of international students begins with establishing a stable and supportive daily life, develops through diverse forms of academic and personal support, and ultimately extends into broader global engagement—where students apply what they have learned to contribute meaningfully to society.
One notable example of this progression is the NTU Social Contribution Award, which recognizes outstanding young individuals who have made tangible contributions to society. Over the past 12 years of its implementation, international students have, for the first time, been among the award recipients in 2023 and 2025—an important milestone that reflects the evolving impact of NTU’s international student community
Japanese student Rena Yokocawa, a recipient of the 2023 NTU Social Contribution Award, co-founded the Transnational Initiative for West Africa Community Transformation (TIWACT) with students from Mzuzu University in Malawi. Through educational outreach, the project encourages local schoolchildren to engage in “brain opening,” helping them expand their imagination and envision new possibilities for their future.
Mariana Gabrielle Cangco Reyes, a 2025 award recipient, came to Taiwan to pursue advanced studies with a focus on marine environmental issues. She launched Daluyong 2.0: Coral Restoration and Environmental Action, an initiative dedicated to marine conservation efforts that she continues to implement in her home country. Her long-term commitment to global public issues was also recognized in 2022, when she received the “Young Global Citizen” honor at the United Nations Youth Assembly in New York.
From beginning their journey as international students in Taiwan—building a stable life and learning environment—to gradually developing their capacities and eventually returning to the world to give back, these cross-border initiatives reflect more than academic achievement. They embody the kind of individuals NTU seeks to cultivate: not only professionals in their fields, but also engaged global citizens who are willing to care for others and contribute to the world.
Mariana Gabrielle Cangco Reyes is pictured conducting careful coral transplantation underwater in Anilao, Philippines. Her work applies precise scientific methods to coral restoration, along with a strong commitment to long-term ecological monitoring.
Rena Yokocawa (front row, second from left) and her TIWACT team are seen working with schoolchildren in Malawi, helping them reimagine and reshape their future possibilities through education.