Fu Jen Catholic University (FJCU) has actively incorporated the Ministry of Education’s policy objectives, which include “Excellence and Innovation in Higher Education,” “Forward-Thinking and Diverse Digital Technology Education,” “International Education Connecting with the World,” “Safe and Comfortable Friendly Campuses,” “High-Quality Professional Faculty Development,” “Lifelong Learning for All,” “Innovative and Dynamic Young Talent,” “Healthy and Outstanding Sports Environments,” and “Comprehensive and Enriched Indigenous Education” into its medium-term development plan. In doing so, FJCU aspires to “become an international Catholic university that equally emphasizes both professional development and the humanities.”
The 2024 Higher Education Sprout Project (HESP) emphasizes four key areas: “Teaching Innovation and Refinement,” “Making Resources More Public,” “Industry-Academia Cooperation,” and “Fulfilling Social Responsibility,” which align with the University’s goal of combining academic professionalism with humanistic values to foster an internationalized educational environment.
1. The Only Pontifical University in Taiwan Combining Information Technology with Humanistic Care
With the rapid development of information technology, numerous business models are undergoing transformation, creating unprecedented challenges for industries within the humanities. In addressing these changes, FJCU is integrating programming into the curriculum and offers advanced courses such as STEAM Innovation and Smart Micro-Certification Programs, as well as Digital Storytelling. In addition, with the emergence of generative AI, the interaction between IT and the humanities has grown increasingly close. As a result, departments in traditional humanities fields such as literature and the arts are now actively exploring the application of generative AI. By collaborating with industry partners to leverage AI resources, FJCU further enhances the quality of exhibitions, competitions, and industry-academia partnerships within the humanities and arts, assisting in humanizing these modern technological trends.
2. Innovating Interdisciplinary Teaching to Cultivate Required Talent
In 2024, FJCU offered approximately 500 courses related to innovation and entrepreneurship. By innovating its teaching methods, it provides students with diverse and digitalized learning opportunities, providing them with a wide variety of resources and channels to strengthen their core workplace skills and communication abilities. In doing so, students are prepared to meet the needs of future industries. This interdisciplinary teaching approach not only improves student satisfaction, but also shows greater learning outcomes among students engaged in cross-disciplinary studies.
- Enhancing Interdisciplinary Teaching and Innovation
FJCU enhances interdisciplinary programs by integrating sustainability, digital literacy, and design thinking. Across various colleges, eight interdisciplinary areas have been established, including health and medical care, corporate leadership, international communication, cultural and creative design, smart technology, innovation and entrepreneurship, local Xinzhuang community engagement, and sustainable practices, each of these offering their own micro-certification programs.
- Implementing the G.R.A.C.E. Governance Philosophy to Promote Unique Teaching Features
Guided by the G.R.A.C.E. governance philosophy, FJCU emphasizes three core teaching features: “Health and Medical Care,” “Creative Design,” and “Humanistic Care.” It drives strategies such as “Diversified and Innovative Teaching,” “Integrating Information Technology with the Humanities,” and “International Mobility” to create a sustainable university that balances localization with globalization. By emphasizing teaching diversity and international exchange, FJCU has achieved outstanding results in teaching and student competitions, realizing its vision of being “First in the Nation, Uniquely FJCU.”