National Formosa University held the "Academic Year 114 Ministry of Education Digital Opportunity Center (DOC) Exchange and Training Conference," a two-day event, at the Emperor Hotel Chiayi (Evergreen Garden) on 4/15 (Tuesday). This year's event, themed "Digital Trends and Local Splendor," brought together more than 180 attendees, including DOC program personnel from counties and cities nationwide, education agency representatives, and scholars/experts, to jointly explore local strategies and practical methods for digital transformation.
NFU has long assisted local communities in implementing digital equity through technology, now in its 18th year. The Ministry of Education established the "Digital Opportunity Center" to narrow the urban-rural digital divide, promoting digital application and development programs in remote areas, and has commissioned NFU to serve as the guidance team for the Changhua, Yunlin, and Chiayi region, working across areas such as infrastructure, digital education, digital marketing, cultural preservation, and social care, dedicated to helping narrow the digital divide between different populations and between urban and rural areas.
This event was hosted by the Ministry of Education's Department of Information and Technology Education, organized by NFU, and co-organized by the Chiayi County Government and the Chiayi Cultural and Technological Innovation Base, using thematic lectures, on-site visits, and roundtable discussions to explore practical experience in digital transformation and applications of technological innovation.
Chiu Jen-Chieh, Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Education's Department of Information and Technology Education, stated that the Ministry has been implementing its rural community outreach program for 21 years, now entering its sixth phase this year. He noted that the guidance teams have continuously introduced new technologies in step with the times — on the hardware side, ranging from tablets and computers to 3D printing, drones, and AR/VR; on the software side, promoting digital services such as government services, digital healthcare, and digital payments — integrating these with local culture, economy, and society to jointly build a digital environment. He noted that this phase will further expand and focus on "digital capacity building," connecting with the Council of Indigenous Peoples, the Ministry of Labor, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare to create a cross-ministerial digital ecosystem, making services more precisely targeted and locally relevant.
NFU President Chang Hsin-Liang stated that the university has been deeply engaged in the Changhua, Yunlin, and Chiayi region for 17 years since launching this program, evolving from early-stage infrastructure development to increasingly diverse initiatives in digital education promotion and social services. Lucao Township in Chiayi is one of the DOC sites, and he noted that, in his dual role as both a native of Lucao and a member of the guidance team, he has personally witnessed local transformation, attracting younger generations to return home to develop their careers. He also thanked the Ministry of Education for its long-term resource investment, allowing the DOC and guidance teams to advance steadily and continue their efforts for local communities.
Yen Ting-Yu, Deputy Director of the Chiayi County Government's Department of Education, stated that NFU is an important partner for Chiayi County, noting that the two parties' joint drone R&D center has already established its first building under the Asia Innovation program, with a second building currently in the planning stages. She noted that drones represent one of Taiwan's important industrial chains, and that DOC and digital learning are key to Taiwan's development, as responding to international trends and digital technology are both matters of widespread public concern. She added that, reflecting on their own community, they also hope that digital applications and technology can help make everyday life better and better.
The event featured four thematic lectures. Luo Sheng-Wen, Assistant Research Fellow at the Department of Information Management of the National Palace Museum, shared insights on "Digital Applications for Exhibitions at the National Palace Museum Southern Branch." Tsai Chen-Ming, Principal of Fule Elementary School in Chiayi County, was also invited to share the digital education content of "100 Questions About My Hometown," an e-book series that compiles local knowledge in a Q&A format created by an education team, serving as an important and comprehensive local teaching resource for Chiayi County.
On the topic of digital marketing, renowned director and ESG advocate Lu Chien-Chang was specially invited to speak on the theme "Turning Good Deeds into Good Stories," sharing how to infuse storytelling with ESG-related themes such as social care and public welfare, paying attention to social issues, and telling stories that have never been told before, all to strengthen local brands' digital communication capabilities. Cheng Yu-Shen, Co-founder of Blueberry Marketing, spoke on the theme "Short-Form Video Marketing and Production," analyzing new media trends and digital content creation techniques to sharpen digital creators' practical skills.
The event also arranged for attendees to visit four distinctive digital centers in Lucao, Liujiao, Dongshi, and Yizhu Townships, observing how these centers help promote the development of local culture, agriculture/forestry/fishery/livestock, and tourism-related industries, strengthening and revitalizing development in remote areas. Attendees learned how each site leverages digital technology to actively assist residents in remote areas and disadvantaged children with information application and digital services, creating more digital opportunities.
Article and photos provided by: Computer Center
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| NFU President Chang Hsin-Liang states that since the launch of the DOC program, it has also attracted younger generations to return home to develop their careers. |
Chiu Jen-Chieh (3rd from left), Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Education's Department of Information and Technology Education, chairs the DOC panel discussion. |
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| Event attendees visit the "Chiayi Cultural and Technological Innovation Base" in Liujiao Township, exchanging insights on AR/VR digital technology applications. |
NFU hosts the "Academic Year 114 Ministry of Education Digital Opportunity Center Exchange and Training Conference," bringing together more than 180 DOC experts and scholars from across the country. |