Fu Jen Catholic University (FJCU)’s Higher Education Sprout Project (HESP) is centered on four core objectives: “Teaching Innovation and Refinement,” “Making Resources More Public,” “Industry-Academia Cooperation,” and “Fulfilling Social Responsibility.” Based on these objectives, FJCU has developed seven key initiatives in line with current social trends and strategic demands for new industries: “Optimizing Campus Learning Spaces,” “Implementing Interdisciplinary Innovative Teaching,” “Creating a Bilingual and International Campus,” “Fulfilling University Social Responsibility,” “Advancing Smart Healthcare and Spiritual Care,” “Developing Quality Talent through New Startups,” and “Establishing a Sustainable Campus Lifestyle.” By promoting teaching innovation and transformation, these initiatives aim to ignite students’ passion for learning, implement student-centered teaching practices, and enhance students’ self-directed learning abilities, flexibility in learning schedules, and overall enjoyment in a campus environment tailored to their needs.
In 2023, FJCU received a total of NT$107,901,179 from the HESP in funding, an increase of NT$12 million compared to the previous year. This not only sets a new record high for the university but also represents a 12% growth. Additional funding highlights include NT$7,365,000 for student assistance (Appendix I; formerly known as disadvantaged assistance), NT$1,670,000 for Indigenous student counseling (Appendix II; includes subsidies from both the Ministry of Education and the Council of Indigenous Peoples), and NT$500,000 for public accountability review. Due to space limitations, further details can be found on the University’s “Higher Education Sprout Project” website.
Key Highlights of the FJCU 2023 Higher Education Sprout Project
1. Optimization of Campus Learning Spaces to Create an Internationalized and Sustainable Learning Environment
Through the HESP, FJCU continues to enhance its physical learning spaces and optimize online learning platforms to increase student motivation and improve learning outcomes. Additionally, FJCU has established multilingual International Corners to create an environment for students to engage in multilingual conversations. Finally, through online teaching platforms, students can enhance their international workplace skills to strengthen their competitiveness on the global market.
2. Establishment of the “Sustainability Development and Institutional Research Center” to Drive Sustainable Development Initiatives
FJCU has established a dedicated center to plan and promote sustainability efforts, showing its commitment to sustainable development. By coordinating with administrative and academic units, this center focuses on addressing various topics related to the university’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, it also aims to cultivate sustainable leadership talent required by society and the industry. By collaborating with industry, government, academia, and community partners, FJCU is building an integrated carbon management service chain to advance toward a zero-carbon society with its stakeholders.
3. FJCU Hospital as the Core of Wenzizun Development, Driving the “Xin-Wu-Tai” Industrial Corridor
FJCU Hospital was upgraded to a regional hospital in 2023, providing vital healthcare services to the surrounding Wenzizun redevelopment zone. The university’s Creative Design Center, centered on health care and medical care, employs “design thinking” to address the physical and mental challenges faced by individuals. By utilizing innovative technologies, FJCU develops unique “specialized medical” solutions, securing various patents and applying them in industry practices. At the same time, through the application of “smart healthcare” and “precision health,” FJCU is spearheading Taiwan’s industrial transformation toward knowledge-intensive industries.
4. Strengthening Local Community Interaction and Amplifying the University’s Social Impact
As a Catholic university, FJCU emphasizes humanistic care and social service as key aspects of education. By integrating SDGs into its curriculum, FJCU aligns its courses with SDG objectives. Through the efforts of its USR Center, initiatives such as “Xinzhuangology,” “Resilience: Food Sharing for a Thriving Xinzhuang,” “Urban Empowerment for Indigenous Communities,” and “Xinzhuang Community Wellness and Development for All Ages” meticulously analyze the unique characteristics and challenges of local communities, allowing FJCU to further customize its solutions to create an inclusive and sustainable community.