We are proud to present the key achievements and highlights from the first stage of Phase II in the Higher Education Sprout Project. Guided by the theme “Toward the Second Century of NCCU: The Companion,” the project focuses on three strategic directions and envisions strengthening industry-academia collaboration.
I. AI Rooted in Humanities and Social Sciences
NCCU has established the Interdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence Center, a pioneering initiative that bridges humanities, social sciences, and artificial intelligence (AI). Collaborating with esteemed partners such as Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Chunghwa Telecom, AMD, and Nvidia, the center has spearheaded innovative research projects, emphasizing the vital role of the humanities and social sciences in shaping AI development. To date, NCCU has introduced 68 AI-related courses, designed to cultivate talent with a distinctive "AI DNA" that integrates humanistic and social perspectives. Building on this foundation, Phase II will see the center collaborating with the Taiwan E-Governance Research Center to harness advanced AI technologies in developing a comprehensive knowledge repository on social policy. This ambitious initiative aims to enhance government decision-making with greater precision and efficiency, further cementing NCCU’s leadership in interdisciplinary AI research.
II. Human-Centered Educational Innovation
NCCU remains unwavering in its commitment to student-centered learning, continually fostering innovation and diversity in teaching practices. The university has steadily expanded its interdisciplinary programs, now offering over 70 courses across a wide range of fields, including languages, mathematics, and cultural studies, with new additions each year. These programs aim to cultivate holistic student development and intellectual versatility. Reflecting this dedication, 75.4% of NCCU students have completed courses in logical reasoning, mathematical computation, and programming, equipping them with critical thinking and problem-solving skills vital for success in the modern world.
Building on the philosophy of holistic education pioneered by Freshman College, NCCU established the Xperimental College—an innovative initiative that integrates academic curricula with autonomous learning environments, fostering meaningful community engagement for students. Advancing this vision, Phase II of the Sprout Project has introduced 65 University-Social-Responsibility-themed courses, transforming traditional classrooms into dynamic, collaborative living labs for community-based learning and real-world problem-solving.
III. Sustainability Anchored in "Humanities, Ecology, and Creativity"
NCCU is pioneering a new paradigm in sustainability, driven by its steadfast commitment to humanitarian care, ecological conservation, and creative innovation. Local revitalization has become a cornerstone of the university's general education curriculum, showcased through courses like Maokong Ecological and Communication Practice and Taiwan-Japan Regional Transformation Research and International Collaboration, offered across 14 classes over the past two years. To ensure systematic progress and promote transparency and accountability in sustainable development, NCCU has established the Sustainability Office and published the NCCU Sustainability Report.
Building on its proven methodologies and principles, NCCU has established a robust platform for University Social Responsibility (USR) projects, fostering the development of a comprehensive "USR ecosystem." Signature programs like New Health Society are pushing the boundaries of intelligent and precision medicine through strategic collaborations with leading domestic healthcare institutions. Additionally, the Center for Lifespan Sleep Research leverages interdisciplinary expertise from social sciences and psychology to address life-cycle health needs, working closely with elderly care, social welfare, and caregiving organizations. At the same time, the Center for Business Sustainability is driving corporate transformation through its NCCU ESG Solutions initiative, offering businesses actionable strategies to seamlessly integrate sustainability into their operations.
IV. Innovative Industry-Academia Collaboration
NCCU has redefined industry-academia collaboration by adopting a think tank model tailored to the public sector, fostering dynamic partnerships with public institutions and enterprises. This innovative approach creates new paradigms for applying the humanities and social sciences to address real-world challenges. Guided by the principle of "social impact," NCCU evaluates the outcomes of these collaborations through five key dimensions: STEAM literacy, digital competency, international engagement, sustainability, and social responsibility. These benchmarks provide a comprehensive framework for measuring the contributions of humanities-focused universities in academic-industry initiatives, setting a new standard for impactful collaboration.