耶誕節將至 菲律賓生熱情快閃報佳音

▲菲律賓籍學生，在耶誕節前熱情快閃報佳音為校內增添過節氣氛

      又到年末感恩祝福季節，本校工業工程與管理系與機械工程系的1百多位菲律賓籍國際生，12月19日中午於校園內快閃唱耶誕歌報佳音，配合校園裡的耶誕佈置及新落成的「諾亞方舟」小教堂，讓校內充滿溫馨的耶誕過節氣氛。
      來自菲律賓就讀工管系與機械系的1百多位國際生，在耶誕節前夕，戴上耶誕帽從校內新設置的小教堂出發，以快閃方式在鴻超樓前廣場唱跳耶誕歌曲報佳音，熱情的菲籍同學邊唱邊跳，讓校內師生感受到歡樂的耶誕氣氛，日前新落成的「諾亞方舟」小教堂也吸引師生駐足探訪。
      劉國偉校長說，校內菲律賓學生人數逐年增加，從5年前首度招生約70人，到現在有近3百位菲律賓學生，分別在機械系、工管系、電子系、資工系及企管系大學部或碩士班就讀。劉校長指出，菲國有超過80%人口是天主教徒，為讓在明新的菲籍學生更快適應，及心靈有歸屬感與寄託來融入校園，也幫助本地學生更認識菲律賓文化與宗教，在教育部高教深耕經費支持下，活化校園角落設置小教堂，意義非凡。
      國際事務處薛家明副國際長表示，小教堂外觀設計的來源是出自於聖經創世紀的「諾亞方舟」（Noah’s Arc）典故，並以之為名。牆壁上的繪畫則是由新竹在地藝術家姜文如與學生一起合作完成。為迎接耶誕節，同學們也親自在小教堂內佈置起各式耶誕裝飾。學校也將會在12月25日晚上舉辦耶誕晚會，預計將有3百名外籍學生共襄盛舉。
      參與快閃演出的工管系菲律賓學生會長歐絲汀珍(Saludar, Austine Jane, Sayson)說，天主教在菲律賓不僅是宗教，更是文化的一部分，校內設置小教堂對於他們在台灣這個非天主教國家而言是非常需要的聖地。耶誕報佳音的快閃，排練時間有限，由於大家通力合作，表演成效超乎預期，觀眾和表演者臉上都充滿愉悅，為這次的快閃報佳音感到開心。

      校內負責照顧菲律賓學生的修女馬珊蒂(Sr. Marcedita Placio Saboga-a, MSCS)感性地說到，小教堂的設置展現了明新科大在實現包容性環境方面的堅定承諾，並致力於培養學生跨文化理解、尊重多樣性，以及擁抱多元文化。作為一名在台灣的宗教傳教士，她的心充滿了喜悅和感激。
      因應國內少子化衝擊，明新科大發展成為國際化大學，目前校內有來自16個國家地區，近1千8百名的外籍生，逐步打造成為雙語化、國際化、多元化的友善校園，像是學生宿舍聘任懂越南或英文的舍監管理輔導學生；在校園內設置伊斯蘭祈禱室、天主教小教堂，舉辦耶誕節活動等；在課業上，有華語文課程外，也安排專業課程的輔導員協助在語言及課業上的安心學習。(資料來源：國際處)

More than 100 international students from the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management and the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Minghsin University of Science and Technology conducted a Christmas flash mob on campus on December 19. The newly constructed Chapel "Noah's Ark" added a warm Christmas atmosphere to the campus.

Over 100 students from the Philippines, donning Christmas hats, set off from the newly established chapel, they organized a flash mob in front of the Hong-Chiao Building, singing and dancing to Christmas songs. The enthusiastic Filipino students created a joyful Christmas atmosphere for both faculty and students, and the new Chapel "Noah's Ark " attracted attention with its tranquil ambiance.

Currently, there are nearly 300 Filipino students on campus. With over 80% of the population in the Philippines being Catholics, the establishment of the chapel aims to help Filipino students adjust more comfortably to life at Minghsin Tech and provide a spiritual place for them. It also serves as an opportunity for local students to learn more about Filipino culture and religion. With support from the Ministry of Education's Higher Education Sprout Project, the campus corner was transformed into a chapel, holding significant meaning.

The Office of International Affairs stated that the chapel's exterior design is inspired by the biblical story of Noah's Ark, hence its name. The paintings on the walls were a collaborative effort between local artists in Hsinchu and students.

Students Austine Jane, who participated in the flash mob, mentioned that Catholicism is not just a religion but also an integral part of the culture in the Philippines. The chapel on campus serves as an essential sanctuary for them in a non-Catholic country like Taiwan. Despite limited rehearsal time for the Christmas flash mob, the collaborative effort exceeded expectations, bringing joy to both the audience and performers.

Sis Marci, responsible for caring for Filipino students on campus, expressed the emotional significance of the chapel. She highlighted that the chapel's establishment reflects Minghsin Tech's firm commitment to creating an inclusive environment and fostering cross-cultural understanding, respect for diversity, and embracing multiculturalism.

In response to the impact of declining birth rates in Taiwan, Minghsin Tech has developed into an internationalized institution with nearly 1,800 foreign students from 16 different countries and regions. It is gradually becoming a bilingual, international, and diverse-friendly campus. (Source: The Office of International Affairs)

▲菲律賓籍學生，在耶誕節前熱情快閃報佳音為校內增添過節氣氛

▲校內新落成「諾亞方舟」小教堂，菲律賓籍學生為教堂裝點耶誕佈置，增添耶誕過節氣氛

▲校內新落成「諾亞方舟」小教堂，成為外籍學生交流互動的新場域

▲校內新落成「諾亞方舟」小教堂，成為外籍學生交流互動的新場域