Due to NTU’s internationalization policies and the government’s New Southbound recruitment initiative, an increasing number of Muslim students are coming to study here. Zhang Qixian, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Electrical Engineering, not only pursues her own research but also seeks to foster a caring, altruistic campus environment. Here’s how she has taken action to promote a Muslim-friendly NTU.

Zhang graduated from NTU’s Master’s Program in Statistics and is now enrolled in the Electrical Engineering Ph.D. program. Born into a Muslim family, she revitalized the NTU Islamic Peace Society—originally founded in 2008—during her master’s studies, and served as its first president after its revival. Under her leadership, the Society organized and supported a variety of activities, including guided visits to local mosques, lectures on Islamic culture, and participation in the NTU Student Clubs Expo.

These initiatives have provided crucial services to NTU’s Muslim student community and helped non-Muslim students—and even the campus dining services—gain a deeper understanding of Islamic customs and dietary requirements. Zhang has also worked closely with the EE Mingda Building and the Liberal Arts Teaching Building to establish dedicated prayer spaces, further enhancing NTU’s inclusivity and ensuring that Muslim students have a welcoming environment in which to practice their faith.