AEF Achievements for 2016

2017-04-01

Life Education Programs

Life Education Tours of Raising Anti-Bullying Awareness

A life education program in partnership with the Disabled Performing Arts Group (DPAG) was offered with an anti-bullying theme in 2016. As it stands, the issue of school bullying appears to be getting worse. It is in the hope of DPAG as well as AEF to teach children about love and gratitude, and how to respect differences through these life education tours. The program was offered to elementary school and junior high school students in rural areas of northern Taiwan and schools that requested a visit. A total of 14 life education tours were made, including 12 elementary schools and junior high schools, one college. One tour was conducted in cooperation with the Employee Welfare Committee of ADLINK Technology. The schools visited are listed below:

Summer Camps and Cultural Exchange Programs

ADLINK Taiwan-Germany Cultural Feast

The Taiwan-Germany Cultural Feast took place from August 25th to the 27th. This was a cultural exchange program organized by AEF. Students and graduates from National Taiwan College of Performing Arts (NTCPA) performed and hosted interactive workshops at three high schools in Germany: Gesamtschule An der Erft, Liebfrauenschule Mülhausen, and Lise-Meitner-Gymnasium. Their performance enhanced the international visibility of Taiwanese culture and the understanding of traditional Chinese operas among German students, which amounted to a successful effort in promoting people-to-people diplomacy.

Their performance received great attention from government officials as well as the overseas Chinese  community in Germany. Mr. Görtz, Vice mayor of Willich; Mr. Lambertz, City Councilor of Willich; and Professor Wagner, the Dean of College of Science and Engineering of University of Wuppertal, attended in support of the event. Qiang Fu, Director of the Great China Section of NRW.INVEST GMBH; Qi Hong, Director of Taiwan Trade Center in Duesseldorf; Yu-Chih Chang, Secretary of Office of Overseas Community Affairs Council in Frankfurt, Germany; and Li-Li Chen, Commissioner of Overseas Community Affairs Council enjoyed the last-day performance with approximately 300 other audience members on August 27. The show was enthusiastically welcomed.

This all started with our Annual ADLINK Cross-Strait Summer Camp for Kids in Pudong, Shanghai. For six years, AEF has invited students from disadvantaged backgrounds from Taiwan and Shanghai to take part in the camp and to enhance cross-strait cultural awareness. The students have grown up, but the support from AEF has not stopped. Two of the students are studying in NTCPA. It is the hope of AEF that they can apply their opera and stunt expertise to the enhancement of international arts and cultural exchange, broadening their horizons.

The cultural feast started with a spectacular flag show presented by students from NTCPA. Traditional Beijing Opera and folk performance arts, such as contortionism, brick breaking, and plate spinning, could also be seen during the performance. An instrumental ensemble consisting of two recipients of Huang Yueh-O Art Scholarship Awards and their German companions performed traditional Chinese music with recorder, zhongruan, and guzheng, making this event a wonderful art feast.

Details:

Thursday, August 25, 2016

13:45-14:45 Performance

14:55-16:00 Interactive Workshop

Gesamtschule An der Erft

Aurinstr. 59, 41466 Neuss

http://www.ge-erft.de/

Friday, August 26, 2016

10:00-11:00 Performance

11:00-12:00 Interactive Workshop

Liebfrauenschule Mülhausen

Hauptstr. 87, 47929 Grefrath

http://www.lfsm.info/

Saturday August 27, 2016

18:00-19:00 Performance

19:00-20:00 Interactive Workshop

Lise-Meitner-Gymnasium

Hausbroicher Str. 40, 47877 Willich

http://www.lmg-anrath.de/

Third Annual ADLINK Beijing Opera Summer Camp

Date and Time:

May 21 and May 22, 2016 (No overnight stay)

Location:

National Taiwan College of Performing Arts (NTCPA), Neihu Campus

No.177, Section 2, Neihu Road, Neihu District, Taipei City

Origin: 

The primary purpose of this summer camp is to provide a caring atmosphere and facilitate artistic development. ADLINK Cross-Strait Summer Camp for Kids and Volunteer Pre-Camp Training are annual events at AEF. We provide a platform to connect participants from employees and children of employees of ADLINK Technology to students in New Taipei to volunteers to our former campers. Operatic arts workshops are offered to show the participants that this is not a one-time event, but rather a continuous effort from AEF to provide caring and support for all those who participate.

Objectives:

1. To develop cooperation, flexibility, and imagination, as well as creativity through educational courses in arts, culture and performing arts, which AEF believes to be the most critical skills for the participants’ future.
2. To connect the students’ education with what they will need in the workplace on the platform of traditional performing arts for the purpose mutual cooperation and to promote arts education and humanities.
3. To provide our former campers and volunteers an opportunity to cultivate artistic competency and a platform for information exchange and mutual caring.
4. To involve participants in the beauty of the development of performing arts and traditional culture via active engagement.
5. To offer a general course in the introduction to traditional performing arts in Taiwan, and establish a positive teaching philosophy.

To enhance participants’ performance of traditional Chinese opera and increase their appreciation of the Humanities disciplines and their literacy in the arts.

Overview:

1. The camp provided a range of courses through various performing arts workshops to teach traditional xiqu dances, Taiwanese fold opera, acrobatics, Taiko drumming, Chinese opera arts, Jingju make-up and costumes.
2. Number of Participants: 30 (No overnight stay)
3. Eligibility and Fees: Employees and children of employees of ADLINK Technology, volunteers and campers of ADLINK Cross-Strait Summer Camp for Kids could join free of charge.

Sixth Annual ADLINK Cross-Strait Summer Camp for Kids and Volunteer Pre-Camp Training

Date:

July 15-17, 2016 Volunteer Pre-Camp Training

July 18-22, 2016 ADLINK Cross-Strait Summer Camp for Kids

Location:

ADLINK Technology, Shanghai

300 Fang Chun Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai

Description:

ADLINK Cross-Strait Summer Camp for Kids has been AEF’s annual summer event at the ADLINK Technology branch office in China since 2011. Each year, 20 students with disadvantaged backgrounds from Shanghai and Taiwan are chosen respectively to participate in the summer camp. Plane tickets, accommodation, living expenses and course fees are fully sponsored by AEF.

In Taiwan, six participants were ed by NTCPA while four were recommended by Jiqing Elementary School in Ruifang District, New Taipei. Ten participants were chosen from Xinmiao Private Elementary School in Shanghai, making a total of 20 campers in 2016.

Students from junior high school sophomores to university sophomores have been recruited as camp counselors since 2013. A three-day youth volunteer pre-camp training program was held from July 15 to July 17 to prepare them for their duties. Yi-Ling Lin’s participation made this year very special to us. She was a camper when AEF held its first summer camp in 2011. She is now a high school student. This year, she returned as a youth volunteer to lead children who shared a similar background as hers. Lin said, “I am definitely moved, switching from being a camper to a camp counselor. It really makes me realizes that taking care of children is a huge responsibility. I’m thankful to all the participants. There’s a warm family-like atmosphere and it gives me a chance to learn to be grateful and to give back.”

Scholarships and Awards Ceremony

Ninth Annual Zhong-Xian Ni Scholarship

Co-organizer: Taiwan Police College (TPC)

Overview:

Established in the will of Zhong-Xian Ni, the Zhong-Xian Ni Scholarship aims to award students who have demonstrated a high degree of scholastic persistence and performance.

Eligibility:

TPC Students who meet the following requirements are eligible to apply:

1. Applicants must be a currently enrolled full-time students in TPC.
2. Applicants must have a minimum 85% average in academic and conduct grades for both semesters in the 2015-2016 Academic Year.
3. Preference will be given to applicants who have participated in AEF charity events or with volunteer experience. Relevant proof such as a Certificate of Completion, photos or participation feedback will need to be presented.

Applicants with outstanding achievements in fields like volunteer services, science and technology, arts, music, physical education, languages, extracurricular activities, etc. will receive priority consideration. Award certificates, academic certificates, photos, audio or video files will be required to be used as proof.

AEF awarded NT$400,000 in total to 20 scholarship recipients from TPC in 2016. Each recipient received NT$20,000.

Third Annual Huang Yueh-O Art Scholarship

Co-organizer: National Taiwan College of Performing Arts (NTCPA)

Overview:

This art scholarship, with its funding comes from AEF’s annual consultation budget, was established in memory of the public spiritedness of Huang Yueh-O, AEF’s former consultant, to assist and award students who demonstrate artistic merit at NTCPA.

Eligibility and Amounts Awarded:

Current NTCPA students from the junior high and the senior high school divisions as well as the Department of Jing Ju, the Department of Acrobatics, the Department of Xi Qu Music and the Department of Taiwanese Folk Opera in the college division are eligible for this scholarship. An amount of NT5,000 is to be rewarded to each recipient enrolled in the junior high school division, NT$10,000 per recipient in the senior high school division, and NT$20,000 per recipient in the college division.

To receive this scholarship, an applicant must also meet the eligibility criteria applicable:

1. Complete and submit the application form with ID photo attached. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
2. Applicants from the junior high school division must have a minimum 80% average in academic and conduct grades as of both semesters in 2015-2016 Academic Year and have no record of disciplinary offences and truancy. Same requirements apply to applicants from the senior high school and college divisions, except an academic average of 85% or above is required.
3. Submit a copy of the applicant’s grade report and a video (5-10 minutes long) of the applicant giving a performance that demonstrates the applicant’s professional skills acquired from their department, specifying characters and contents for the purpose of review.
4. Applicants are required to submit feedback of how they have overcome themselves during their learning process.

    

In 2016, AEF awarded NT$300,000 in total to ten junior high school students, five senior high school students, and ten college students at NTCPA.

AEF Scholarship 2016

Purpose:

The purpose of the AEF Scholarship is to encourage diligent students by recognizing their outstanding academic performance.

Amount Awarded:

1. High school students (including students in their first three years in a junior college): NT$10,000 per recipient
2. University students (including students in their last two years in a junior college): NT$20,000
3. Special cases will be reviewed by the Board of Directors for determination and execution.

Eligibility:

1. Applicants must be employees and children of employees of ADLINK Technology (contract staff not included), or AEF employees and their children.
2. Applicants must be currently enrolled full-time students in senior high school or college, with the exception of government-funded students and late graduates.
3. Applicants must have an average academic grade of at least 85%, and an 80% average or above for their conduct grade for both semesters in the 2015-2016 Academic Year.
4. Application is retrospective. For instance, a university freshman is eligible to apply using his/her high school senior-year grade; a university graduate is allowed to use his/her university fourth-year grade reports.
5. Preference will be given to applicants who have participated in AEF charity events or who have volunteer experience. Relevant proof, such as a Certificate of Completion, photos or participation feedback will need to be presented.
6. Applicants with outstanding achievements in fields like volunteer services, science and technology, arts, music, physical education, languages, extracurricular activities, etc. will receive priority consideration. Award certificates, academic certificates, photos, audio or video files will be required to be used as proof.

    

In 2016, a total amount of NT$208,000 was awarded by the AEF Scholarship, including one junior high school student, two senior high school students and seven university students.

Zhong-Xian Ni Scholarship and Huang Yueh-O Art Scholarship Awards Ceremony

Date:

Saturday, December 24

13:30 Reception and Refreshments; 14:00-16:00 Presentation of Awards

Location:

National Taiwan College of Performing Arts, Performing Arts Center

No.177, Section 2, Neihu Road, Neihu District, Taipei City

Jim Liu, Chairman of ADLINK Technology, Rui-Bin Zhang, President of National Taiwan College of Performing Arts, and Zhen-Kun Li, Minister of Education of Taiwan Police College, attended the awards ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of the students. The scholarship recipients were invited to give speeches and perform to share their joy with the guests.

Social Welfare Sponsorship

Boyo Social Welfare Foundation

A sponsorship amounting to NT$1,000,000 was provided to the Boyo Social Welfare Foundation (BSWF) in support of their Inclusive Education Program this year.

Achievements:

Offer Direct Tutoring

1. With the participation of 334 community or university student tutors and 52 full-time teachers, BSWF served 1,833 elementary and junior high school students in its 16 after school tutoring centers, with an average attendance rate of 95% and above.
2. A total of 162 ninth graders took the Comprehensive Assessment Program for Junior High School Students, and 115 of them (71%) received admission offers to public high schools.
3. Five schools applied BSWF’s English or Math teaching materials and approaches, and taught their students in accordance with their aptitude.

Train English/Math Tutors in Remote Communities

1. Currently 153 English tutors and 161 Math tutors have completed their training to teach.
2. The tutor training system has proven to be effective: 86% of the students have fully acquired the first book of beginner English while 81% of them have reached 5th grade level in Math.
3. Owing to local parents with long-term tutor training, suitable tutors are available to be of assistance in the elementary and junior high schools in remote areas.

Track Post-Graduation Student Outcomes

1. The tutoring centers in Chiayi, Penghu and Taitung do not have any graduates at the moment. All the other tutoring centers have a total of 967 graduates from 2004 to 2016.
2. College enrollment rate among students who have received the tutoring is 69%.
3. The 195 graduates who are currently employed have income that is higher than the average rate.

Offer Indirect Tutoring to Cooperated Institutes

BSWF provides regularly training in after school tutoring and its own teaching methodology in cooperation with 51 institutes. A total of 1,070 students have benefited from the program. 

Gaorong Social Care Association

This year, AEF financially supported by donating a total amount of NT$600,000 to Gaorong Social Care Association (GSCA) for after school tutoring programs for elementary and junior high school students.

Origin:

To better magnify the effect of social service from GSCA, Professor Shi-Nian Yang, Chairman of GSCA, has extended the association’s target participants to elementary and junior high school students. After school tutoring centers for the students were established in November 2015 and February 2016. With the sponsorship and assistance from AEF and Mingshui Foundation, an adequate learning environment is available for disadvantaged students, giving them an opportunity to learn with the same amount of care and support as the other students.

Approximately 50 students have taken part in the program. Both the schools and benefited families have shown their approval of and appreciation for the program.

After School Tutoring Program in Guoling Junior High School

This after school tutoring program, founded in November 2015, provides remedial tutoring sessions for students who fall behind in mathematics. Students registered in this program are divided into classes based on their achievement levels and are provided with individual instruction and care. This program aims to help the students build confidence and interest in learning and narrow the achievement gap.

Day and Time:

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 17:00-18:30

Location:

Glory Christian Church, 2nd floor classroom

Participants:

Twenty-five junior high school students with disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds

Tutors:

GSCA Secretary Qiu-Yong Li, retired teachers and 7 to 8 students from Central University

After School Tutoring Program in Chungping Elementary School

Established in February 2016, the after school tutoring program in Chungping Elementary School aims to offer tutoring sessions and caretaking service for 5th and 6th grade students. Group events led by experienced tutors are carried out after students’ completion of academic tutoring.

Day and Time:

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 16:00-18:00

Wednesdays, 13:00-18:00

Location:

Glory Christian Church, 1st floor meeting room and 2nd floor classroom

Participants:

Eight to ten students with disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds referred by school and children in the local village

Tutors:

Five teachers recommended and appointed by the Principal of Chungping Elementary School and GSCA

Penghu Citizens Foundation

Name: Penghu Beach Clean-Up Project

Amount Sponsored: NT$100,000

Participants: Elementary school students, teachers, principals, university clubs and societies, local residents and communities, and tourists in Penghu

Duration: April-October, 2016

Overview:

The Penghu Citizens Foundation (PCF) has given long-term attention to the issue of the disposal of waste in the ocean in Penghu. PCF organizes beach cleanups and marine conservation workshops. In addition, PCF works with elementary schools, junior high schools and local communities to foster awareness of marine environment protection.

The clean-up project adopted the standard of the International Coastal Cleanup, thoroughly collecting beach clean-up data.  In addition, by getting the locals and students involved, marine environment education about ocean waste disposal is incorporated into their day-to-day life.

Details:

1. Beach Clean-ups and Marine Conservation Workshops: 10, held by or in the Penghu Citizens Foundation, Chong-guang Beach in Magong, Shetoushan in Fongguei, Houliao Beach in Baisha, Gangzi Beach, Wude Elementary School, Wen-Ao Elementary School, Dream Beach in Xiyu, Jibei Beach in Baisah and Shooting the Breeze Café
2. Number of Participants: 380
3. Distance Cleaned: 3,500 m
4. Total Cleaned Area: 1.25 square meters
5. Total Estimated Weight Collected: 375 kg
6. Top Trash Collected: 3,500 plastic bottles, 715 plastic caps and 316 buoys
7. Data Analysis Reports and Related Articles: 10

Total Facebook Post Reached: 1,401,994 people during the events

Taiwan Curio Art Association for Youth & Adults with Autism and Learning Disabilities

AEF funded NT$200,000 for the Taiwan Curio Art Association for Youth & Adults with Autism and Learning Disabilities.

Children with autism are unique individuals, with unique ways to bridge the gap that exists between them and the outside world.  According to most people, their uniqueness tends to be interpreted as learning challenges or difficulties. However, from a broader point of view, these children obtain distinctive abilities and keen instincts. They see the world with a refined comprehension and interpretation.

Missions of the Association:

Extend art creation opportunities

With suitable venues and courses provided, adolescents with autism have a chance to continue their artistic creativity outside of school. The association aims to provide tailored and diverse learning plans for each individual at different levels.

Develop aesthetic skills

From outdoor field trips to shopping at a market to cooking to making and serving coffee to cleaning and decorating the environment, the association offers participants a chance to enhance their powers of observation of their surroundings and their aesthetic appreciation as well as their living quality. This is achieved through exposure to nature and to daily routines.

Foster art-related skills at the workplace

The association offers the opportunity to show that art can be incorporated into the workplace, providing a chance for the children to improve their skills, have the opportunity to make money, and learn basic packaging skills used in life and work. The association also works with art-related industries and professional workers, so that the children have the opportunity to have internships and job opportunities.

Organize small-scale outdoor sketching trips unheroically and big-scale ones (approximately three to five days) twice a year.

Build a bridge with society

To increase social awareness and interaction with adolescents with autism, and help them to gain support from the society, the association

1. holds exhibitions
2. organizes spontaneous art work competitions
3. invents artistic stationery and household gadgets
4. opens up partial courses to self-learning groups
5. hosts workshops, seminars, pre-school group courses and parent-child courses
6. recruit volunteers
7. cooperates with different industries 

2016 Events: