ISU Builds an Integrated Pipeline to Connect Students Directly to the Japanese Workforce
In an era of accelerating global talent mobility, enterprises increasingly value professionals equipped with foreign language proficiency, cross-cultural competence, and global market competitiveness. As a flagship benchmark for internationalized higher education in Taiwan, ISU has long cultivated global connections, leveraging overseas corporate networks and educational resources to provide students with diverse international exchange, internship, and career opportunities. To meet the rising demand for global talent among Japanese enterprises, the Department of Applied Japanese has spearheaded a comprehensive multi-stage talent development model. By integrating tailored coursework, expert seminars, corporate engagement, overseas internships, and job matching, the Department creates an immersive learning environment that equips students with both linguistic mastery and hands-on expertise, ensuring a seamless transition into the global workforce.
Ahead of this winter break, the Department hosted Akiko Saito, a renowned news anchor from Kagoshima Television Station, to share strategic interview techniques and workplace communication insights tailored to Japanese enterprises. Her training spanned self-introductions, impromptu speaking, persuasive expression, and business etiquette. All of which empower students to convert classroom language mastery into practical career readiness. Complementing this, the Department integrated real-world corporate dialogue into its Business Japanese curriculum by hosting an online exchange with Ryutaro Hamada, President and CEO of Kyushu-based ALLIQ Co., Ltd. By engaging directly with an industry leader, students gained firsthand perspectives on Japan's service industry dynamics, corporate culture, teamwork, and service philosophies, significantly boosting their adaptability for international careers. In addition, addressing the upcoming graduation season and growing demand for overseas careers, the Department invited Gyumaru, a renowned Japanese dining brand, to hold an on-campus internship and recruitment session in May 2026. Attracting enthusiastic participation from students across both the Department and the Department of Culinary Arts and Gastronomy, the event featured Gyumaru's president, who presented firsthand insights into Japan's food service industry landscape, corporate culture, and talent requirements, equipping students with practical insights into Japan-based internships and employment to proactively chart their international career paths.
From masterclasses on interview techniques delivered by veteran Japanese news anchors and executive lectures, to direct on-campus recruitment by Japanese enterprises, ISU has established a comprehensive multi-stage talent development model bridging "learning, training, internship, and employment." This enables students not only to master the language, but also to gain deep insights into Japanese societal culture, corporate expectations, and workplace environments, building both the competence and confidence needed for the global stage. "Language is not merely a tool for communication; it is a vital key to opening up the world," stated Dr. Pei-Jung Yang, Director of the Center for Japanese Studies and Chair of the Department of Applied Japanese. She highlighted that through a systematic curriculum, the Department accompanies students as they build a solid foundation in Japanese, cultivate intercultural literacy and practical skills, and broaden their international horizons and future opportunities through exchange programs, overseas internships, and industry-university collaborations. Dr. Yang further emphasized that the Department’s multi-stage talent development model breaks traditional classroom boundaries by inviting news anchors, corporate executives, and industry leaders as instructors. Through diverse learning scenarios, this approach helps students transform their passions into professions and bridge their aspirations into solid career paths. Today, numerous alumni are thriving in Japan at premier global enterprises, including TSMC’s Japanese operations and UNIQLO, demonstrating exceptional professional achievements and serving as inspiring role models for current students.
In response to the intensifying competition for global talent, ISU will continue to deepen its collaborative networks with Japanese enterprises and educational institutions, building a more comprehensive international learning ecosystem. By seamlessly integrating courses, exchange programs, overseas internships, and career resources, ISU empowers students to accumulate global experience and cross-cultural competence throughout their academic journey. Looking forward, ISU remains dedicated to opening up broader learning and career pathways, cultivating a new generation of leaders equipped with global perspectives, interdisciplinary capabilities, and international mobility.
