On the evening of March 14, 2026, the International Cooperation Office (J13-114) of the School of Computer Science hosted an engaging academic and cultural event focused on presentation confidence and communication skills. The event consisted of two sessions: a “Presentation Mastery” talk (19:00–20:00) and an Origami Cultural Exchange activity (20:00–21:30), attracting active participation from faculty and students.
Distinguished Speaker
The event invited Dr. Penny Yu as the keynote speaker. Dr. Yu holds a Ph.D. in English Philology from the University of Oulu (Finland) and the University of Toronto (Canada), with a specialization in Conversation Analysis. She is a researcher at Nipissing University, contributing to large language modeling and sentiment analysis. She is also an Ontario Certified English Language Teacher (OCELT) and earned a Master’s in Translation and Interpreting (English–Mandarin) from Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Dr. Yu’s interdisciplinary expertise—spanning linguistics, education, and computer science—enables her to bridge academic theory and practical application seamlessly.
Presentation Mastery Highlights
During the talk, Dr. Yu systematically outlined how to enhance public speaking performance and self-confidence, focusing on five key areas: preparation, content development, visual aids, delivery, and post-presentation reflection. She emphasized that public speaking anxiety is a common phenomenon, and the key is to transform it into positive energy. Through ten practical techniques—such as thorough preparation, rehearsal, breathing exercises, focusing on the audience rather than oneself, and simplifying content—speakers can effectively manage nervousness and significantly improve clarity and impact.
Dr. Yu stressed that “building rapport and trust with the audience is the key to successful presentations.” She encouraged participants to establish strong connections through credibility, eye contact, and addressing audience interests. The talk also introduced a self-assessment tool based on specific behavioral indicators, helping each speaker identify strengths and areas for improvement.
Origami Cultural Exchange
Following the talk, the Origami Cultural Exchange provided a relaxed and hands-on experience. Participants enjoyed the focus and creativity of paper folding, while also integrating the relaxation and concentration techniques discussed earlier—creating a complete mind-body experience from theory to practice.
Conclusion
This event not only provided internationally recognized guidance on presentation skills but also helped ease academic anxiety through interdisciplinary and cross-cultural interaction, boosting participants’ confidence and communication abilities. The School of Computer Science will continue to organize such high-level cultural exchange events to empower faculty and students to express themselves with greater confidence on the global academic stage.
Reported by fablab4cogtwins
For more information about future events, please stay tuned to our official announcements.