2023/2024 Higher Education Sprout Project, Chung Yuan Christian University
The planning policy for the overall Project merged with national development and educational policy, echoed the spirit of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and implemented the University’s educational philosophy and its developmental plan. In addition, the feedback and promotion of the Project incorporated the outcome of the institutional research programs. The mechanism for implementing the Project was done by “Joint Meetings of Higher Education Sprout Project” presided by the President of the University to comprehensively review the progress and effectiveness of the Project’s implementation. In the meantime, the University’s website set up a “Platform of Intelligent Decision-Making for Information about the University’s Affairs” and a “Chung Yuan Higher Education Sprout Website,” and issued the electronic news to provide a platform for the disclosure of information. The highlights and features of implementing the Project are as follows:
1. Promote Diverse Learning Paths, Strengthen Students’ Ability to Solve Problems, and Build up Teaching Fields Using Emerging Technologies
Regarding the diverse approach of taking courses, the University developed diverse study mechanisms – including double-major, minor, major-transfer, self-directed design of cross-disciplinary specialty, etc. – aided by self-chosen academic advisors to assist the students to develop their talent and appropriateness. The newly-added digitized online courses on Programming, Generative AI, NVIDIA Importation (note that three instructors have obtained certificates of deep-learning issued by NVIDIA’s Deep Learning Institute (DLI)), etc. – offering diverse and abundant digitized online self-learning courses to nurture the students for their self-learnability. Regarding the nurturing of problem-solving ability, foundation courses associated with the physical world were offered, such as “Computational Thinking and Programming” and “Introduction to Natural Science and Artificial Intelligence.” In addition, new courses related to Generative AI (including Chat GPT, etc.) and Metaverse were developed, aided with teaching practice to enhance the students’ interest in learning and the benefits of learning and to nurture their programming and logical thinking abilities. Using the IEET (Institute of Engineering Education Taiwan) engineering education framework and the GCSP (Grand Challenges Scholars Program) accreditation project, merged with the CDIO (Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate) innovative teaching model together with the interdisciplinary teaching methodologies, such as PBL (Problem-Based Learning) and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics), etc. Through the training and practice processes, the students were nurtured to possess the ability to solve problems by arranging to implement “Competition for the Abilities to Solve Future Problems” and inviting people from industry and business to assign problems jointly and to serve as review members. Regarding the establishment of metaverse smart classroom, such a classroom was set up in 2023, along with the set-up of “Metaverse Teaching Workshop” to offer faculty members funds to develop “Metaverse Cyber-Physical Series Courses” to strengthen the faculty members’ teaching practice in emerging technologies and improvement in teaching quality.
2. Promote Internationally Co-Constructed Research, Establish Foresight Areas’ Verification Sites, and Nurture Cutting-Edge Industries’ Professional Talent
In 2023, Stanford University announced “Top 2% top-notch scientists globally,” with 20 faculty members of the University being ranked for their “Career Impact Ranking (1960-2022)” and 12 faculty members being ranked for their “Scientific Impact Ranking (2022).” The University co-constructed collaborations with internationally renowned universities, such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology of USA, Stanford University of USA, Kyoto University of Japan, Université de Toulouse of France, etc., focusing on transformation of innovative key technologies and establishment of the verification sites for the sustainable energy and biomedical fields to actively cultivate the research talents for the cutting-edge technologies. Moreover, the University, combining the resources derived from the startup hub of Tauyuan City, cumulatively coached 50 startup enterprises – the University obtained up to NT$ 30 million grants from the governmental projects. Furthermore, the University’s Smart Manufacturing Center was chosen to be one of the flagship delegates of the plastic molding field to the Taiwan Mold Joint Service Center and, in 2024, obtained NT$ 65 million industry-academia cooperation fund from the Industrial Development Administration, Minister of Economic Affairs. In addition, the University’s Quantum Information Center continued to work with Fujitsu Limited of Japan and Formosa Plastic Group to develop research on quantum computing to build up strategic advantage of “Tauyuan Quantum Valley at Chung Yuan Christian University.”
3. Arrange for Diversified International Cooperation, Integrate International Administrative Support Measures, and Refine Campus with Ethnic Integration
The University participated in the organizations of Asian service learning, such as AUAP (Association of Universities in Asia and the Pacific – the University was elected to be one of the members in its Executive Board), ACUCA (Association of Christian Universities and Colleges in Asia – the University assumes the responsibility of its Vice President), and GCSP (Grand Challenges Scholars Program) established by the National Academic of Engineering of the United States, nurturing the new-generation advantageous talents. Moreover, the University promoted the dual-degree programs, united with the sister universities (such as Nanyang Technological University of Singapore, Bandung Institute of Technology of Indonesia, etc.) for co-teachings, held week-long CYCU Global Sister University Expos, signed multiple-university alliance agreements, and increased opportunities for bilateral international studies and exchanges for the students. Furthermore, the University united the special chapter of internalization, integrated administrative support measures, created co-living (that is, a co-learning dormitory with the culture of quasi-academy), and held university-wide exchange activities for diverse ethnic groups and a culture week for overseas students and indigenous people – allowing students from various countries and different ethnic groups to experience commonality in university’s group life and creating a global friendly campus.
4. Link Sustainable Revitalized Resources, Establish Sustainable Mechanism for Talent Cultivation, and Exert Influence of University's Social Responsibility
The University – accompanied by the Youth Development Administration, Ministry of Education, and the Municipal Government of Tauyuan – sustainably developed resources, opening up promotional fields of local revitalization for seven counties and cities. Moreover, the University continually worked with the local revitalization organizations, UCSI University and New Era University College (both are located in Malaysia), etc. promoting sustainable actions; at Okinawa-ken of Japan; signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the FOOD REBORN Co., Ltd.; and established a University’s resident office. Furthermore, the University promoted 17 course modules regarding SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals); embedded SDG in social practice and general education courses; through developing USR (University Social Responsibility) courses and special projects, let the students have mutual observation, emulation, and cooperation with local governments, residents, and industries; cultivated and bridged future demands of industry and future talents with both character and professionalism; and made an impact on the university social responsibilities.
