By KHT Staff
PINGTUNG — An international education research conference will return to the city for the first time in 15 years, bringing scholars from Taiwan and overseas to National Sun Yat-sen University from Oct. 15 to 18.
The TERA Conference 2026 and WERA 2026 Focal Meeting is jointly organized by the Taiwan Education Research Association, the World Education Research Association, and NSYSU.
The conference theme, “Bridging Cultures, Co-creating Knowledge: Local Innovations and Global Visions in Education,” covers subjects including artificial intelligence, educational equity, sustainability, intercultural learning, education reform, and teacher development.
The gathering marks the first time the two education research associations have jointly held an international conference in the city since 2011, according to a report by the Pingtung Times.
Four keynote speakers are scheduled: Jerome E. Morris of the University of Missouri–St. Louis; World Education Research Association President Joe O’Hara; Yuto Kitamura of the University of Tokyo; and Taiwan Education Research Association President Hsueh-Hua Chuang (莊雪華), a distinguished professor at NSYSU.
The conference program also includes workshops and invited talks on international academic publishing, multilingual education, cross-border research and career development for younger researchers. The main conference runs from Oct. 16 to 18, following workshops and school visits on Oct. 15.
Three educational tours will take participants to schools in Kaohsiung and Tainan to examine experimental education, bilingual and international programs, and sustainable campus development.
The opening program will include selections from an original musical performed by an NSYSU student group. Cultural events will also feature Indigenous songs performed by students from Evergreen Lily Elementary School (長榮百合國小) in Pingtung and original music performed by Rukai musicians Peresang Sukinarhimi (貝若桑・甦給那笛米) and Vavauni (巴于鳴).
Organizers have also arranged Taiwanese food trucks, a reception at Sizihwan (西子灣) and vouchers encouraging visiting scholars to explore local night markets and shopping districts.
The conference is organized with support from the Ministry of Education and the National Science and Technology Council. The World Education Research Association’s official conference notice confirms that all presentations will be held in person at NSYSU.
