To welcome the Year of the Horse, the Office of International Affairs (OIA) at NPUST held a Diamond Couplet and Agriculture Expo Tour activity on February 12 (2026) for its foreign students. The celebration attracted 60 internationals from 12 countries—including Belize, Eswatini, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam—alongside over 30 faculty and staff members. Using a variety of techniques including calligraphy and stencil art, participants created diamond shaped couplets with messages of hope and blessing to welcome the New Year. The warm, culturally rich morning activity was held outdoors under a small grove next to the OIA and accompanied by elegant melodies played on the guzheng (Chinese stringed instrument).
NPUST President Chin-Lung Chang also attended the event and personally distributed red envelopes to each student, ensuring that those far from home could feel the warmth and joy that is unique to the Taiwanese Lunar New Year celebration. The OIA also provided traditional Hakka steamed rice cakes (fa gao) to the students, allowing them to experience the diverse cultural and culinary landscape of Taiwan during the Spring Festival.
Following the morning event, the group migrated to the Pingtung Tropical Agriculture Expo park to visit the “Hop! Pingtung” 2026 Expo. At the venue, the students were able to check out a variety of agricultural technologies and enjoy a diverse and educational tropical farming experience.
The 2026 expo was segmented according to 10 major themes which showcased the dynamic energy of agriculture in Southern Taiwan. Highlights included the “Sustainable Forest Living” Forestry Pavilion, which featured woodworking demonstrations, tech interactions, and DIY workshops that allowed students to experience the beauty and sustainability of Taiwan’s forestry industry. The Orchid Pavilion utilized immersive floral displays and lighting designs to create a therapeutic space where flowers blend into daily life. Additionally, the Leisure Agriculture and Food & Farming Education Pavilion combined agricultural tours with educational courses. Led by the OIA, students gained a deeper understanding of the connection between food origins and consumption while enjoying the fun of agritourism.
By organizing the Lunar New Year event, the university not only provided foreign students with a taste of traditional festival culture but also integrated local characteristics, sustainable development, and agricultural education into campus life. The event turned out to be another successful example of merging cultural exchange with environmental education, and created warm memories for staff and student alike.
