In this week’s installment of Looking South, Eric Gau chats with Viviek Jabaraj Joseph, a student from India who is studying in Taiwan under the TEEP program.
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Transcript below:
Eric Gau: Good morning, and welcome to the latest installment of Looking South here on ICRT, the weekly program where we look at some of the effects that the Central Government’s New Southbound Policy is having across Taiwan and in partner countries. Today, I am joined by Vivek Jabaraj Joseph, who is here in Taiwan under the Taiwan Experience Education Program, to tell us about his experiences studying here. Joseph, good morning, and welcome to the show.
Vivek Jabaraj Joseph: Good morning Eric, and good morning everyone.
Eric: Joseph, could you start us off by telling us a little bit about yourself, where you’re from, what you’re studying, things like that.
Joseph: My name is Joseph, and I’m from India. I have completed my undergraduate and master’s in Indian now I am doing to PhD in Tamkang University. Last year, I came to Taiwan as a TEEP student, and my professor liked my work and offered me a PhD here, so I’m back again.
Eric: What subject are you studying?
Joseph: I’m studying mechanical engineering.
Eric: Is that sort of a passion for you, or is that just the field that you’ve chosen for your career?
Joseph: That’s my passion, actually. I’ve always wanted to become a good scientist. And also I have a love for machines. I love machines so much.
Eric: You started out undergrad work in mechanical engineering, and you are progressing through graduate and PhD in the same subject?
Joseph: No, actually, my undergraduate and master’s is aerospace engineering, but my PhD is in mechanical engineering. But my professor actually deals with micro-aerial vehicles, so it’s almost like aerospace engineering.
Eric: What do you hope to do with that degree once you finish?
Joseph: I would prefer to be working in research and development, or else I will go as a lecturer.
Eric: How did you hear about the TEEP program, and what made you decide to sign up for it?
Joseph: My professor had come to India when I was in my master’s. He told me, OK, you can join as a TEEP student, and then he had an interview, and he asked me to do something. Then I performed well in India, and then he selected me. Later, I got an interview and an email, and then I got a final interview from India and I was here.
Eric: For our listeners who are not aware of the program, can you give a bit of detail about it in general? Like, what is the program aimed at doing?
Joseph: In my experience, it is kind of a student exchange program. I can come and learn a different culture and different style of research methods. In India, we have different kinds of research, and in Taiwan, it’s totally different. So when I came here, I was learning a lot. That made me a good student, like a good engineer.
Eric: Can you go into more detail about how education is different in Taiwan when compared with India?
Joseph: In India, we almost deal with theoretical things, and we almost will be having books all the time. But in Taiwan, they give freedom for research practical work, so you can differentiate like that.
Eric: That’s interesting. I’ve always been under the impression that Taiwan education does tend to be more theoretical and rote-learning rather than hands on. But you don’t find it that way.
Joseph: No, actually, Taiwanese education system provides more practical than India.
Eric: But that is of course speaking from the PhD level, which is the level at which you’re currently studying. How have you found life in Taiwan? You said you’ve been for a year now?
Joseph: No, actually, last time I was here for four months, and now it’s one month and twenty days.
Eric: How have you been getting on, how have you been acclimatizing to life here in Taiwan?
Joseph: Basically, I’m from an island called the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, it’s close to Bangkok, so the place, the climate, and everything is similar to my island. So I don’t feel any much difference here, it’s completely same for me.
Eric: What about culture-wise?
Joseph: Culture, I think Taiwanese culture is very good, they’re very helpful.
Eric: Have you had any trouble getting around or communicating with people, has the program offered any help in just getting yourself settled in here in Taiwan.
Joseph: Last time when I was here, I didn’t have Internet in my mobile, so I was wondering how to order my food. Then the restaurant guy, he asked someone who can speak English, then some guy appeared, and he helped me get what I want. I think it’s OK for me, Taiwanese people are so kind and helpful.
Eric: Tell us a little bit about your PhD program so far, and how it’s going to affect your future career prospects.
Joseph: I’m doing my PhD program here. In this one, I will definitely be narrowing my research. PhD is specific about one topic, so I will be doing a particular topic. I think if I succeed in that topic, I’ll be trying to join some army, like defense systems, in India or Taiwan. But let’s hope good for it, I’m trying my best.
Eric: Sorry, you said you’re studying mechanical engineering with aerospace.
Joseph: Yeah.
Eric: You said you’re hoping to get a military research position after this?
Joseph: Yes, because I’m developing some small miniature bird drone, if that drone is successful, I can propose to government and if I get approval, we can try developing and make new drones, which can be very useful for military and development applications.
Eric: What sort of military applications? Is this a reconnaissance drone, surveillance drone, what kind?
Joseph: Surveillance, yup, surveillance.
Eric: How is it different from existing ones?
Joseph: Because the existing ones are too big, but our drones are like 11 grams or 12 grams, micro-aerial vehicles, the name suggests it right.
Eric: Would you recommend the TEEP for other international students?
Joseph: Definitely yes, because the students from India or any other country when they come here, I am definitely sure they will learn a lot. Because of the space and time given for the research work, it is completely good because the students have time to think, and they can have more time and more resources, and they can do whatever they want.
Eric: Among your fellow students, are there other members of the TEEP program? If so, what are they studying?
Joseph: Now, one my juniors has joined in the same university. He is also studying mechanical, but his field is different from my field. He’s doing thermo-engineering. Would you recommend the TEEP for other international students?
Eric: We’ve been chatting with Vivek Jabaraj Joseph, about his time studying in Taiwan under the TEEP. Joseph, thank you for talking with us today.
Joseph: Thank you.
Eric: And that wraps ups this installment of Looking South. Join us again next week for a fresh look at the New Southbound Policy. You can find this and past episodes of the program on the ICRT Web site, or on your favorite podcasting platform. I’m Eric Gau, and I’ll see you next week.