【國際實習亮點】種子外交的傳承：台大學生在英國皇家植物園（Kew Gardens）的永續足跡
2025 年 11 月，由諾丁漢大學 Taiwan Research Hub 出刊的《Taiwan Insight》專題特刊，深度報導了台大學生透過「國際引水人計畫」赴英國皇家植物園（Kew Gardens）實習的卓越成果，收錄於「Seeds of Exchange」系列文章，展現了台大青年如何在世界頂尖的植物科學殿堂中扮演關鍵角色。
特刊首篇探討了雙邊合作的深層意義，強調這不僅是標本交換，更是透過學術對話建立長效的生物多樣性連結。緊接著，文章記錄了實習生在邱園標本館的實務貢獻，他們運用專業技術協助珍貴植物標本的數位化與歸檔，為全球研究者提供了寶貴的開放數據。此外，專題也關注於「植物外交」的文化層面，描述學生如何將台灣豐富的植被故事帶入國際視野，促進跨文化的科學溝通。在氣候變遷的嚴峻挑戰下，學生們更直接參與了種子保存計畫，親身實踐物種永續的具體行動。最後，特刊感性地總結了這場旅程對引水人職涯的蛻變，描繪他們如何從校園理論走向國際實務，培養出應對全球環境問題的國際化格局。
這份特刊不僅記錄了學術與技術的傳承，更證明了「國際引水人計畫」是連接台灣學子與世界級研究機構的堅實橋樑。國際引水人計劃歡迎具備情與跨領域思維的你，加入下一屆引水人行列，在國際舞台上寫下屬於你的專題故事。
[Global Internship Highlight] Seeds of Exchange: NTU Students’ Sustainable Footprints at Kew Gardens
In November 2025, the Taiwan Research Hub at the University of Nottingham released a special issue on Taiwan Insight, showcasing the remarkable achievements of NTU students during their internships at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, through the NTU International Mentor Program. This collection, titled "Seeds of Exchange," highlights how our students have become integral contributors to one of the world's most prestigious botanical research institutions.
The special issue opens by exploring the strategic significance of the Kew-NTU collaboration, framing it as a vital link for global biodiversity that transcends simple academic exchange. It then delves into the technical contributions of our interns within the Herbarium, where they applied advanced skills to digitize and archive rare specimens, enhancing open-access data for scientists worldwide. The narrative further explores the concept of "Botanical Diplomacy," illustrating how students served as cultural ambassadors by sharing Taiwan’s unique ecological stories with an international audience. Amidst the escalating climate crisis, the articles highlight the interns' hands-on involvement in seed conservation projects, contributing directly to global sustainability efforts. Finally, the collection captures the profound personal transformation of the mentors, depicting their evolution from classroom learners to globally-minded professionals ready to tackle complex environmental challenges.
These stories serve as a powerful testament to how the International Mentor Program bridges the gap between ambitious students and world-class organizations. We welcome you to follow in their footsteps—apply for the next cohort of the Mentor Program and cultivate your own professional legacy on the global stage.
