Since the establishment of the Center for International Indigenous Affairs(CIIA) at National Dong Hwa University's(NDHU) College of Indigenous Studies in August 2014, the CIIA has been committed to facilitating international academic exchanges and collaborations aimed at achieving the objectives of global alliances in Indigenous studies, education, and culture. Guided by the vision of "Local Cultivation, International Networking," the CIIA promotes the development of Indigenous knowledge systems and educational sovereignty.

On one hand, the CIIA serves as a collaborative hub for Taiwan, providing updates on the educational landscape and policy status, as well as the challenges faced by Indigenous peoples in the country. On the other hand, it strives to enhance international visibility, bringing global perspectives to Taiwan through cross-institutional scholar-activists communities and social media platforms to build Indigenous knowledge systems and share valuable resources.

In alignment with national policies for the internationalization of Indigenous peoples-such as the "Austronesian Forum" and the "New Southbound Policy"-the CIIA has facilitated and promoted international collaborations with various academic institutions across prioritized regions, including Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, the United States(Mainland, Hawaii, Guam, and Alaska), Canada, and the Sápmi region(Finland, Sweden, and Norway) . Additionally, under the New Southbound Policy, the CIIA has pursued exchanges and collaborations within the broader Indo-Pacific region, addressing indigenous issues in countries such as Palau, Fiji, Samoa, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Japan.

The CIIA has been recognized by NDHU's "Spotlight Program," securing three years of staff salary to spotlight the significant role of Indigenous peoples in higher education and to strengthen Taiwan's standing on the international stage. Furthermore, the CIIA has garnered recognition from the Council for Indigenous Peoples and other organizations by orchestrating key international events that actively promote academic exchanges, talent development, and community platforms anchored in the core values of Indigenous knowledge systems. This includes applying for funding for competitive projects designed to construct and disseminate these knowledge systems through digital humanities initiatives.

Dean Namoh Sakang(Shih Chung-Shan 石忠山) emphasized, "The establishment of the CIIA has not benefited from administrative resources supports, reductions in teaching credits, or part-time assistant support. We rely entirely on our own efforts to secure funding for vital international affairs. Despite the uncertainties surrounding funding and resources, our long-term commitment and sustained efforts have enabled our college to plan and execute various international exchanges, cultivating a notable influence in Indigenous diplomacy and international cooperation." Among our notable accomplishments are coordinating visits for Indigenous groups with young leaders from the New Zealand Asia Foundation, facilitating the signing of a cooperation memorandum with Canada's NorQuest College, organizing in-depth consultations and exchanges between Taiwan, Aotearoa New Zealand, and Australia, arranging a student exchange program under the "New Colombo Plan" with the University of Western Sydney, executing the "International Forum on Cultural Practice and Indigenous Transitional Justice" commissioned by the National Human Rights Museum, and conducting cultural exchanges and tours between Taiwanese and U.S. Indigenous arts and cultures.

Director Bavaragh Dagalomai(Jolan Hsieh 謝若蘭) has outlined that in the sphere of international academic exchanges, the CIIA focuses on planning cultural exchange programs for Indigenous peoples or scholars in relasted fields, including short-term studies or internships, participation in international Indigenous meetings, community learning camps, visits, forums, lectures, and workshops. In terms of international talent development, the center provides scholarships, organizes English training courses, and conducts international workshops, lectures, and forums aimed at achieving talent empowerment. Moreover, the CIIA manages digital community platforms that disseminate Indigenous news and issues both domestically and internationally, primarily in local languages and English, including information on various scholarships and seminar calls. This accumulated strength has facilitated active participation in international academic organizations, reinforcing global connections and the knowledge links of Indigenous cultures, thereby positioning Taiwan as a significant international partner.

Supported by various stakeholders, the CIIA has been unwavering in its dedication to international networking. Director Bavaragh Dagalomai holds a pivotal role for Taiwan's Indigenous peoples on the global stage. She serves as co-chair of the World Indigenous Higher Education Consortium(2019-2023), and during this past year, she has presented at the "Taiwan-Canada Technology Cooperation 25^th Anniversary Forum" organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology, acted as a keynote speaker at the New Zealand Asian Studies Annual Conference, engaged in in-depth discussions on Indigenous transitional justice and sustainability with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Finance in Canberra Scholarship Program, participated in academic activities at three universities in the UK, and was invited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to participate in a banquet disucssion with Canadian parliamentary members during their most recent visit to Taiwan.

The CIIA has also actively pursued subsidies and private donations, directing relevant funding and scholarships to nurture talent. Notably, the 2023 Mrs. Fu-mei Wu Scholarship awarded a team to participate in the World Indigenous Higher Education Consortium Annual Conference in Alaska, and recently received acceptance to the International Indigenous Research Conference organized by the University of Auckland in Aoterora New Zealand, where the CIIA will form a cross-institutional team of young scholars to present eight papers on Taiwanese Indigenous studies by the end of November.

Taiwan is an indispensable partner on the world stage and that Indigenous peoples are essential protagonists in Taiwan's international engagement. Director Bavaragh Dagalomai hopes that more public resources will be allocated towards international talent development and that additional private enterprises and individuals will contribute to the CIIA through project donations. This would empower the country to promote Indigenous peoples' international exchanges and participation from a distinctly Taiwanese perspective, fostering a commitment to the global advocacy for Indigenous transitional justice and Indigenous sovereignty.