Richardson Mayor Amir Omar, MBA’13, an Executive MBA alumnus from the Naveen Jindal School of Management at The University of Texas at Dallas, has actively engaged with the University’s international community, including Taiwanese students supported by ECLAT and related programs.
At a recent campus visit on Nov. 18, the mayor sat down with the Taiwanese cohort to talk about their transition to the U.S. — how they’re settling in, their habits, and what life in Richardson has been like for them so far. He also inquired as to how their welcome could be improved. To keep the connection going, he extended an invitation to his “Meals with the Mayor,” a video series he hosts where he visits local restaurants with community “foodies” to showcase different eateries in the city.
The Jindal School has built a strong partnership with Taiwan’s academic and philanthropic communities through the ECLAT Foundation, a Dallas-based nonprofit espousing the fact that “Education Changes Lives and Times.” Founded to provide scholarships and life-enhancing opportunities for students, particularly those with ties to China, Taiwan and Asian American communities, ECLAT has become a cornerstone of support for graduate students at the Jindal School.
Central to this collaboration is the ECLAT Graduate Fellowship, a competitive award that offers financial aid to full-time graduate students in good academic standing, including U.S. citizens, permanent residents and international students who demonstrate need. Preference is given to applicants who completed part or all of their earlier education in China or Taiwan. In 2022, ECLAT established a major endowed scholarship, completing a $1 million endowment that led to the naming of the Jindal School’s atrium as the “ECLAT Atrium” in honor of the foundation’s transformative impact.
This partnership deepened further with a dedicated focus on Taiwan. ECLAT founders, including Jane Jan, Dr. Yih Min Jan and Wayne Chang along with Fu Jen Catholic University alumna Jennie Kiang, provided lead gifts (matched by the Jindal School) to create a $500,000 endowment for the Jindal School Fellowship for Fu Jen Catholic University Students. This fellowship supports graduate students transferring from Fu Jen Catholic University in New Taipei City, Taiwan, or participating in a fast-track 4+1 dual-degree program that allows qualified students to earn both undergraduate and master’s degrees in as little as five years by transferring credits to UTD.
The endowment not only eases financial burdens but also fosters academic exchanges and cultural ties. In May 2022, a special ceremony in the ECLAT Atrium unveiled a commemorative plaque for the fellowship. Attendees included Fu Jen Catholic University President Dr. Francis Yi-Chen Lan, Dean Dr. Mei-Juh Huang, the inaugural cohort of 10 Taiwanese students and Dr. Hasan Pirkul, Caruth Chair and Jindal School dean. The event highlighted the growing bridge between the two institutions, with prior delegations from UT Dallas visiting Taiwan to solidify the collaboration.
“As a student in the 4+1 Bridge Program, I’ve benefited tremendously from this partnership,” said Pei Hua (Tina) Tsai, a graduate student in the Jindal School. “Because of this collaboration, I’ve had the opportunity to pursue my MS in Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence at the Jindal School. Throughout this journey, the ECLAT Foundation Scholarship has allowed me to study without financial worries, enabling me to fully focus on my academic and career goals.”
Mayor Omar’s involvement aligns with Richardson’s long-standing welcome of international talent at UTD and adds a civic dimension to these educational ties. Echoing sentiments from past city leaders, he has emphasized integrating global students into the community, encouraging them to contribute to and remain in North Texas after graduation.
“I was deeply touched by Mayor Omar’s visit to UTD,” Tsai said. “During our conversation, I could truly feel his commitment to helping Taiwanese students adapt to Richardson — whether through improving public transportation, expanding cultural activities or simply ensuring that we feel at home here.
Through the ECLAT Foundation’s generous support, UT Dallas continues to attract and empower talented Taiwanese students, blending academic excellence with strong local and international partnerships.
“All of these efforts have opened more doors for Taiwanese students to come to this promising city, pursue our dreams and build a bright future, Tsai explained. “I’m genuinely grateful for everything they’ve done for us.”
