Chang Jung Christian University (CJCU)’s sprout project aims to continually move forward with the mission of “Locally Engaged; Globally Connected, A Leading University with Social Responsibility” and to nurture students with cross-disciplinary expertise through quality faculties, diverse and innovative programs, and a comprehensive learning environment. The following are the results and highlights of the implementation of the four main sections.
1.Implementing Teaching Innovation and Improving Teaching Quality:
On the student side, CJCU promotes students' learning motivation and encourages them active participate in external competitions by workshops and cross-disciplinary programs. For instance, the students earned the Judges' List Award in 33th Times Young Creative Awards: Brand Image and Advertisement Design Category and the Merit Award in 2024 Metaverse Vtuber design competition. In addition, CJCU connects with students' interaction and communication and accumulates practice experience by improving the teaching and learning environment. For example, Barclay Memorial Park won National Environmental Education Awards with multiple Augmented Reality Guidance Systems for environment education, developed by CJCU faculty. Furthermore, three student teams utilized 3D scanning equipment to create and apply digital designs based on Tainan's historical landmarks, and were shortlisted for the Future Continuous City: 5G Cultural Feature Integration and Application Development Project. On the faculty side, it's with the stimulations between teaching and learning studies, workshops, and the faculty communities to promote teaching energy. Two self-produced MOOCs courses received the Merit Award for Open Education Excellent Course Award: MOOCs or Micro-learning Category in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
2.Social Responsibility Practice:
With the goal of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promoting the University Social Responsibility (USR), CJCU has achieved the following: established the Roots & Shoots Action classroom at Barclay Memorial Park, earning the Merit Award in the Group Category at the 2024 9th National Environmental Education Awards. The CJCU Eco-Center collaborated with faculty and students from Department of Interaction Design to develop interactive guidance system for Barclay Memorial Park. This includes the Augmented Reality breakthrough game, multimedia content such as audio and video features and various activities to enhance the public environmental awareness.
3.Industry-Academia Collaboration and Connection:
CJCU integrates regional industrial development to introduce industry resources and foster academic-industry collaboration. By aligning the curricula with industry needs, students can enhance their practical learning, which includes: CJCU established the Sustainable Development Association for increasing the brand awareness of “Welcome LAKUR”, the innovative and incubating community in Kaohsiung Liouguei district. Moreover, Move Forward from Suai-A-Ka to Sustainable Liouguei, the CJCU USR team, connected between industry development and community engagement, in Liouguei. Additionally, cooperating with Tainan Shan-Shang Garden and Old Waterworks Museum, two companies, residing in the campus, created a park, promoting food and agriculture education and industry features, for the win-win collaboration between industry and academia.
4.The Higher Education Commonality:
CJCU has received international recognition for its continuous efforts, establishment of the Institutional Affairs and Financial Information Disclosure Platform in order to enhance university governance. The efforts also include improving operational effectiveness. For example, In Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings 2024, CJCU soared into 401-450, ranking for four consecutive years. CJCU Ranked 201-240 in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Art & Design. Since publishing its first University Sustainability Report in 2016, CJCU actively participates in the Taiwan Corporate Sustainability Award in the category of University Sustainability Reports, and related sustainability competitions. In 2024, CJCU earned the Role Model Award in the category of Sustainability Report of the Fifth Global Views Monthly University Social Responsibility Awards, and won the 27th National Quality Award in the category of “Sustainable Development Model”. CJCU’s educational purpose and sustainable development were highly praised by the committee, reflecting the efforts and dedication of all faculty, students, staff, and the administrative team in planning and implementation.