The European Teacher Education Network (ETEN) – Introduction

Founded in 1988, ETEN stands for the European Teacher Education Network. Membership is institution-based; applications are submitted by higher education institutions through a formal review process. After nomination, institutional representatives present at the General Assembly, where membership is reviewed and approved by existing members.

Currently, ETEN comprises more than 60 member institutions across over 20 countries worldwide. Chaoyang University of Technology (CYUT) is the only ETEN member university in Taiwan.

ETEN Member Countries

ETEN member institutions are located in more than 20 countries, including: Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United States, and Taiwan (R.O.C.).

Organizational Status

Since 2018, ETEN has been established as a non-profit organization (vzw) under Belgian law.

Core Objectives

• To promote teaching exchange among higher education institutions.
• To foster international research collaboration.
• To facilitate student and faculty/staff exchange programs.

Membership

Membership is institution-based and open to universities and higher education institutions, including members from Europe and other regions worldwide.

Taiwan’s Participation

Chaoyang University of Technology (CYUT) is the first higher education institution in Taiwan to join ETEN. The university is actively engaged in this international platform and has promoted student exchange and academic collaboration with European countries, such as Denmark.

Official Website

https://etenjournal.com/

I. ETEN Vision

To enhance teachers’ pedagogical knowledge and professional expertise through international exchange among member institutions.

II. ETEN Mission

• To promote opportunities for individual and group exchanges among students, including teaching practice, internships, coursework, and research.
• To promote opportunities for faculty exchange, including collaboration in student education, teaching methodology, school development, curriculum development, and research.
• To provide opportunities for international research and development collaboration.
• To promote ETEN’s mission and continuously evaluate the implementation of its objectives to ensure quality assurance within the network.

III. ETEN Aims

• Each member institution is expected to organize at least one international activity per year.
• Faculty and students are encouraged to participate in ETEN activities annually.
• All ETEN activities should be documented, evaluated, and reported on the ETEN website.

IV. ECO (ETEN Coordinators) – Institutional Representatives

• Each member institution elects an ECO (ETEN Coordinator), who represents the institution in all ECO meetings.
• The ECO has three main responsibilities:
  • Facilitate interaction between students and faculty.
  • Serve as a liaison between ETEN and the institution.
  • Promote international programs.
• ECO Meetings are held twice a year (April and September):
  • Every April: International Conference.
  • Every September: Annual Meeting of Member Institution Representatives (ETEN Coordinators and TIG Leaders).

V. Thematic Interest Groups (TIGs)

TIGs function as academic committees, covering the following fields:

• Arts Education
• Creative Storytelling
• Identity & Diversity
• Internationalisation
• Language Education
• Mathematics Education
• Movement / Play / Health / Outdoor Education
• Reflection / Thinking
• Science & Technology
• Special Educational Needs
• Urban Education

VI. Benefits of Joining ETEN for CYUT Faculty and Students

• Enhances the university’s international visibility and engagement.
• Expands international exchange networks from Asia to Europe and the United States.
• Strengthens students’ global perspectives through exchange opportunities.
• Provides additional platforms for academic publication, particularly for faculty.
• Encourages active international engagement through ETEN membership requirements, ensuring meaningful academic interaction such as lectures, exchanges, seminars, and joint research activities.

VII. International Exchange within ETEN

• ETEN seeks collaboration not only within Europe but also with higher education institutions worldwide.
• The common working language for international communication is English.
• ETEN is a friendly international academic network providing a platform for global cooperation, with two fixed annual meetings:
  • Every April: International Conference.
  • Every September: ETEN Annual Meeting for Member Institution Representatives (ETEN Coordinators and TIG Leaders).
• Both meetings welcome proposals from CYUT faculty for short-term lectures, presentations, visits to partner countries, and short-term student exchange programs.