【Article by GCIT】

In April and May 2025, the Master's Program in Global Communication and Innovation Technology (GCIT) at National Chengchi University demonstrated a new model of international collaboration through its course “New Media Convergence.” Welcoming a faculty team from the University of Washington's Communication Leadership (CommLead) Master's Program, the course featured an intensive series of interactive lectures and workshops.

Led by CommLead Director Dr. Ekin Yasin, the teaching team comprised Affiliate Assistant Professor Sara Shaban, Senior Affiliate Instructor Sam Tang, and Affiliate Instructor Lara Bradshaw, delivering comprehensive learning experiences that covered AI storytelling, immersive media, organizational identity, and global digital activism, blending theory with practical insights.

The first session featured Dr. Yasin exploring how organizations build trust through platform-specific strategies in the digital age, followed by Sam Tang's in-depth analysis of online audience dynamics. They emphasized the importance of localization and timing for effective global content strategies. The second session focused on immersive storytelling and civic engagement, with Dr. Yasin leading students to explore the emotional and ethical impacts of AR, VR, and XR on narrative techniques. Dr. Shaban then examined real-world digital activism cases such as Iran's #MahsaAmini and Kenya's #RejectFinanceBill2024, providing students with fresh perspectives on decentralized social movements in the digital era.

A highlight of the series was Dr. Bradshaw's "Using AI to Tell Your Career Story" workshop, where students engaged hands-on with generative AI for interview simulation, resume optimization, and personal branding.  In the concluding discussion, students characterized AI's dual nature as "a double-edged sword," prompting Dr. Yasin to quote from The Atomic Human: "Only by understanding ourselves can we decide when, where, and how we want AI to intervene," guiding students through ethical considerations of AI development and demonstrating the course's integration of theory and practice.

These collaborative sessions enriched GCIT students with a global perspective and practical skills, also exemplifying the program's commitment to advancing global media education partnerships. GCIT continues to cultivate next-generation communication professionals equipped with critical thinking, ethical awareness, and innovative capabilities, establishing a solid foundation for Taiwan's competitiveness in the global digital communication landscape.

[此中英文稿和圖片以及全球傳播與創新科技碩士學位學程均獲得中華民國文化部的補助。]

1. GCIT students engage in active discussion and share insights during the international collaborative course sessions. (Photo by GCIT)
2. UW CommLead Director Dr. Ekin Yasin (top right) and Affiliate Assistant Professor Sara Shaban (bottom) collaborate to introduce digital activism concepts to GCIT students. (Photo by GCIT)
3. Faculty and students from NCCU and UW commemorate the successful completion of the "New Media Convergence" course on May 1. Featured: Dr. Lara Bradshaw (top left), Distinguished Professor Trisha Lin with NCCU students (top right), and Dr. Ekin Yasin (bottom). (Photo by GCIT)