National Taiwan University (NTU) has launched a strategic initiative aimed at bridging the gap between international students and Taiwanese enterprises through its groundbreaking International Mentorship Program.

This program has not only attracted the attention of over a hundred companies within two years but has also seen active participation from high-level executives who serve as mentors. 

Matthieu Nochemond Desir. (Photo: Ming-Tang Huang)

Matthieu Nochemond Desir, a software engineer at Pegatron's Taipei headquarters, stands as a testament to the success of this program. He is among the few graduates who seamlessly transitioned into the workforce at Pegatron, uniquely hailing from Haiti.

Desir's remarkable journey was made possible through NTU's International Mentorship Program, a brainchild of NTU's Office of International Affairs in 2022. This initiative was designed to assist over 3,000 international students on campus in finding meaningful roles within Taiwanese companies.

Over the course of two years, it has garnered the support of major players like Innolux, LEGO, Micron, and Decathlon, resulting in 165 mentorship pairings. Johnny Wu, the Head of Global Relations at NTU's Office of International Affairs, acknowledges the challenges in convincing companies to participate, especially given the time constraints faced by senior executives.

To enhance the program's appeal to enterprises, NTU has gone the extra mile. Besides streamlining the administrative hurdles associated with hiring foreign interns, such as handling labor and health insurance matters along with contractual obligations, NTU has also organized events like job fairs, seminars, and company visits to increase exposure for participating businesses.

These efforts not only showcase NTU as an attractive educational institution but also create a symbiotic relationship benefiting the university, enterprises, and students alike.

Desir's experience within the program exemplifies its success. He joined as a senior student from the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering and interned at Pegatron's Core Technology R&D Center under the mentorship of Jason Yang, a seasoned software development manager. His exceptional performance during the eight-month apprenticeship led to a full-time employment opportunity.

Desir's decision to pursue studies in Taiwan was a culmination of various factors. As an only child with a strong academic background in Haiti, studying abroad had always been his goal. While many of his peers opted for the United States, Desir chose Taiwan after being exposed to the country's culture through a basic Chinese course offered by the Taiwanese embassy during his senior year. This decision not only led him to meet his mentor, Tsai Yilan, a Taiwanese educator in Haiti, but also secured him a scholarship for his studies.

Despite the challenges faced by international interns in Taiwan, such as language barriers and hour restrictions, programs like NTU's International Mentorship Program have been pivotal in overcoming these hurdles.

Argo Yacht Group's mentor and their Intern. (Source: NTU)

Desir's success story serves as a testament to the effectiveness of such initiatives in attracting and retaining exceptional international talent, thus contributing significantly to Taiwan's position as a global hub for talent acquisition and development.

"The field of intelligent manufacturing related to AI and software is constantly evolving. Having passion, interest, and a commitment to continuous learning are crucial," Yang pointed out, identifying these as key factors that led to Desir eventually transitioning to a full-time position.

Companies are eager for diverse perspectives to build their employer brand. Pegatron also hosted interns from Indonesia and Thailand last year. Despite the time and effort required to mentor students, especially foreign ones, why was Yang willing to invest his time?

Yang explained that the software profession inherently involves numerous English technical terms, so language isn't a barrier; individual capabilities are more critical.

Furthermore, because foreign interns bring diverse backgrounds, they can offer a broad perspective. For instance, when considering the application of AI in diverse payment systems, Taiwanese individuals might instinctively think of Line Pay and JKo Pay. 

However, an Indonesian intern may suggest using GoPay and OVO, which are popular in Indonesia.

Vivian Liu, the HR administrative center manager responsible for intern-related affairs at Pegatron, added that Pegatron operates globally, making these foreign interns crucial assets for the future.

Including Pegatron, 130 companies have joined the mentorship program this year.

STMicroelectionics's mentor, Giuseppe Izzo and their intern Jin-Lian Huang. (Source: NTU)

Since its inception, the program has gained a favorable reputation, attracting more renowned companies to join, such as Chunghwa Telecom and PCA Life Assurance.

In the midst of a labor shortage, creating a more welcoming work environment for foreign nationals and attracting more exceptional overseas talents like Desir will be a crucial challenge for Taiwan in the future. The mentorship program serves as a noteworthy practice to consider.

Have you read?

• Can graduates of Taiwan’s semiconductor academies close the talent gap?
• Why are Taiwanese school kids exhausted and afraid of failure?
• How Estonia education eliminates urban-rural disparity

Uploaded by Ian Huang