Higher Education SPROUT Project

Achievements of the Higher Education SPROUT (Master) Project in 2019

National Taiwan Ocean University is Taiwan’s foremost university in the field of ocean science, with an equal focus on education and research. The university has become a n important institution for the cultivation of marine professionals in Taiwan. We have pragmatically created a blueprint that balances research and education to promote the Higher Education SPROUT Project. Our strategy comprises four major aspects: realize teaching innovation, developing distinct institutional features, enhancing the universality of higher education, and fulfilling our social responsibilities.

(1) Realizing Teaching Innovation

Summary

In order to achieve our goal of student-oriented education, we continually strive to improve our teaching quality and reform our syllabuses. We focus on teachers in the education setting whilst making top-down adjustments to the teaching structure. We also focus on students when designing the relevant courses, utilizing mobile technologies and real-time interactions, and integrating personal mobile devices into education. In addition, we have created problem-solving supplementary courses to foster students' problem-solving skills and enhance their willingness to participate. Cultivating students' core skills, including programming, language, and critical thinking is likewise a key consideration. The revised curriculum offers program design, digital economy, reading and writing, and multi-lingual courses. It introduces students to different industries and domains, using an issue structure to achieve project-based learning. The curriculum also includes practical competitions to convert knowledge into practical experience and promote industrial and practical learning mechanisms (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).

Figure 1. Fishbone diagram for realizing teaching innovation and enhancing teaching quality

Figure 2. Structural diagram for realizing teaching innovation and enhancing teaching quality

 

Results

• Enhanced learning efficacy: Cloud platforms saw their use increase 2.8 times in 2019 compared to 2018, and the volume of cloud-based teaching materials increased by 1.8 times.The number of students partaking in interschool general MOOCS increased from 36 in 2018 to 162 in 2019. The completion rate of the digital learning plan for financially and culturally disadvantaged students increased from 76.94% in 2018 to 94% in 2019. The number of teachers who incorporated mobile devices into teaching increased from 14 in 2018 to 21 in 2019. In 2019, 13 smart teaching modules and 79 student works were produced. The number of students who participated in the Teacher Training and Practice-Oriented Program increased threefold between 2018 and 2019. The number of students who participated in supplementary programming courses increased threefold between 2018 and 2019. Introduction to General AI was introduced as an elective subject for all students.


• Strengthening professional practices: Roughly 72% of all university departments offer the freshman industry-university introductory course. The number of teacher courses increased from 23 in 2018 to 35 in 2019. A total of 1,659 students selected these courses. Fifty-eight enterprise visitations were organized within two years. A total of 2,018 students participated in the visitations. Internships grew by 1.3 times between 2017 and 2019. The number of participants in the Shanghai Advanced Internship Program increased twofold between 2017 and 2019. The number of participants in the "University Summer Internship Program" increased by 40% between 2017 and 2019. The number of department-industry partnerships increased to 190 in 2018. Thirty students received scholarships for the Evergreen Engineering Undergraduate Program provided by Evergreen Marine Corporation. The scholarship fully covered tuition for three semesters and partially covered accommodation. Outstanding students were directly offered internships or paid positions by Evergreen.


• Cultivating core competences: Twenty-eight courses under the biomedical and New Agricultural Innovation Talent Cultivation Program were launched. One hundred and sixty-two students participated in student exchanges (and short-term training) in 2018. There were 331 students who participated in offsite learning over the last three years, and 1,461 participated in overseas learning in 2018. The number of overseas students accounted for 7% (541) of all students in 2019. Subsidies for overseas learning were expanded. A total of 23.11 million was awarded to 1,191 students in 2018. The number of students who studied overseas increased by 303 between 2017 and 2018, and subsidies increased by 3.57 million. Fourteen entrepreneurial training events were provided in 2019, attracting 320 participants. The student team "Farmman" attended the 4th Annual BTSC and won first place in the Creative Entrepreneurship Front-end Technology Group, Taiwan Division. Roughly 90% of all undergraduate students attended basic programming courses in the second semester. Our students won second and third place in the 1st Ocean Cup Cross-Strait Translation Contest hosted by Shanghai Ocean University in 2019.


• Improving teachers’ teaching innovation and practical experience: 2019 saw fifteen teachers participated in the development of an e-material classification system. Eight teaching demonstration videos were produced in 2019. The university won one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals in the invention contest at the 2019 Taiwan Innotech Expo. We won first place for our Auto-Surveillance Applications and Map Visualization category at the 2019 CTCI AI Innovation Contest - AI and Innovative Service Group. It also won the 16th National Innovation Award. Sixteen teachers participated in the university's Teaching Practice Research Pilot Project. We submitted 34 works to the Ministry of Education Teaching Practice Research Program in 2020, which was double the number of works submitted in 2018.

https://reurl.cc/Gk0KLW

 

 

 

 

(2) Develop Distinct Institutional Features

Summary

The vision of the university is to become a "top international ocean university" by achieving its governance objectives of "building a heartfelt university focused on student-oriented humanistic care" and "running a professional university specializing in ocean science that is indispensable to society." To transcend traditional conservative practices and remain in-step with the times, the university introduced several key development objectives, including "cultivate marine professionals and enhance Taiwan's marine industry," "establish an ocean education think tank and promote national marine awareness," and "establish multinational education and research partnerships to connect with the international marine community." The university formulated a diversified development strategy to promote rapid development and strengthen competitiveness and a governance strategy. This aims to use the key ideals of "energetic innovation, leap forward, and refinement" to achieve the visions set out.

Figure 1. Structural diagram of the “Develop Distinct Features” strategy

Results

• Cultivating marine professionals: The university has the most comprehensive range of ocean science educational units with 34 dedicated departments. This year, the Taiwan Marine Education Center, Center of Excellence for the Oceans, and Maritime Development and Training Center were all upgraded to the highest tier of the university's organization. Introduction to Ocean Science is now compulsory for all freshman students. A marine industry-university system was established to cultivate talent. Swimming is being promoted as a compulsory subject, and the university aims to become the center of cultivating ocean science experts.


• Promoting general ocean science education: 19 ocean science education promotional events and 14 ocean science picture book exhibitions were organized between 2018 and 2019. The university hosted the 2019 Marine Professionals Cultivation Forum, attracting 220 attendees. 3,000 people in 75 groups attended the 2019 Ocean Kayak and SUP Camp. The university won first place in Group A of the 2019 Keelung International Yacht Race and Taiwan Ryukyu Regatta.


• Establishing international education and research partnerships: The university signed international education and research cooperation agreements with 144 international schools and institutions and established joint dual-degree partnerships with five schools. The university also jointly launched the international Global Supply Chain Management Program with the University of Rhode Island, which Taiwanese students can attend without paying any additional tuition. In the last three years, 99 students from the Department of System Engineering and Naval Architecture, Department of Harbor and River Engineering, and Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering registered for offsite learning at Fuzhou University and Hohai University. The university promoted thematic and characteristic research, such as using Turtle Island as an extreme environment to develop a base model for examining global climate change.

https://reurl.cc/oDG56D

 

 

 

 

(3) Enhancing the Universality of Higher Education

Summary

Promoting universal access to Education both materially benefits higher education and strengthens the tradition and spirit of universities. We have always adhered to the diversified development objective of "making the ocean a focus, not a limitation," offering financial assistance to underprivileged students to help them overcome their situation through education. We are committed to giving back to society by investing in educational resources. The focus of our strategy for enhancing universal access to higher education involves students, teachers, and the education system.

 1. Improving the assistance mechanisms for underprivileged students and effectively promote social mobility Higher education is a crucial promoter of social mobility

Higher education is a crucial promoter of social mobility.  For individuals from low socioeconomic backgrounds or those impacted by the urban-rural gap the university proposed simplifying the selection processes, providing selection subsidies, and discussing the reform of school loans to diversify university talent sources. The enrollment rate for underprivileged students has been increasing by 2% annually. We aspire to accommodate underprivileged students at higher education institutions and fulfill the higher education social responsibilities of national universities. We provide subsidies for tuition and miscellaneous fees, established a task force for helping underprivileged students, and built a resource consolidation platform. We introduced a customized academic guidance mechanism, organized Dream Big workshops, established an industry-university cooperation and entrepreneurial service platform to provide resources for fostering soft power, help underprivileged students foster professional competence through higher education, and provide comprehensive resources to underprivileged students. Our current approach differs from the past by creating a peer-based co-education plan to remove the labels attached to underprivileged individuals. Through the holistic care of inter-faculty mentors, peers, and professional teachers, care is provided to every underprivileged student between semesters, also encouraging them to help others while they help themselves, thereby fulfilling our  responsibilities in terms of social justice and creating opportunities for social mobility.

Figure 1. Execution Strategy 1

 

2. Reduce the teacher-student ratio and improve the structure ratio of full-time and part-time teachers

The university continues to recruit outstanding teachers, particularly those specializing in ocean science. We aim to reduce the teacher-student ratio and provide a friendly environment for newly employed teachers. Relying on the university's high-quality talent cultivation and inheritance mechanism, we endeavor to enhance teachers' teaching and research performance comprehensively. We also utilize a wide range of professional and innovative teaching methods to promote outstanding teaching and research in our teachers as part of a diversified advancement strategy.

In recent years, the internationalization of higher education, shrinking birthrate, increasing educational opportunities, and declining public budgets have impacted the internal and external organizations of universities. In this context, ensuring the organizational performance of universities and the learning performance of students have become significant challenges for universities. In particular, school affairs research has become a key topic of discussion in the professionalization of school affairs and administrative management. In response, we established the School Affairs Research Office and tasked the office with improving school operations through scientific investigation and a decision-making culture based on empirical data. We also launched a university information platform to ensure the sustainable development of school affairs.

Figure 2. Execution Strategy 2

 

3. Disclose operational information and develop accessible lifelong education

The disclosure of university affairs has become an international trend. Actively promoting school affairs research is an integral part of school operations. Therefore, the university established the School Affairs Research Office and launched a Public Information Platform to appropriately disclose relevant information, not only fulfilling its performance responsibilities but also eliminating information asymmetry between the university and its students, thereby protecting students' right to education. In addition, we engage in information conversion to produce valuable data that can help the school improve its management, operations, and development.

To demonstrate the quality of higher education and provide diversified learning channels and knowledge sources the university aspires to create an accessible lifelong learning environment, transforming the conventional school system into a system of open and flexible learning.

In recent years, the internationalization of higher education, shrinking birthrate, increasing educational opportunities, and declining public budgets have impacted the internal and external organizations of universities. In this context, ensuring the organizational performance of universities and the learning performance of students have become significant challenges for universities. In particular, school affairs research has become a key topic of discussion in the professionalization of school affairs and administrative management. In response, we established the School Affairs Research Office and tasked the office with improving school operations through scientific investigation and a decision-making culture based on empirical data. We also launched a university information platform to ensure the sustainable development of school affairs.

Figure 3. Execution Strategy 3

 

Results

• Comprehensive guidance: In 2019, 485 students applied for the Puyu Scholarship, receiving a total of 5,529,200 dollars. A survey showed that the scholarship helped 34.3% of recipients reduce their part-time work hours by 30%, helped 7.8% of recipients reduce their part-time work hours by 50%, and allowed 5.6% of recipients to not work a part-time job at all. 45% of recipients expressed that they had more time to plan for the future, and 36.8% of them expressed that they had more time to study or participate in university activities.


• Reduced teacher-student ratio and full-time and part-time teacher ratio: The daytime teacher-student ratios for 2018 and 2019 were 16.71 and 16.36 respectively. The full-time and part-time teacher ratios for 2018 and 2019 were 1.61 and 1.68 respectively. The university was awarded the Yushan Scholarship in 2019 - one of the Ministry of Education’s most prestigious awards.


• Disclosure of school information: The university launched a school affairs research information platform. The university's operational information and performance can be accessed online via a web browser.

https://reurl.cc/oDG53D

 

 

 

 

(4) Fulfill Social Responsibilities

Summary

The ocean is the cradle of life. However, global climate change and other pollution caused by human activity has significantly impacted the marine environment. In response to climate change and the excessive exploitation of marine resources, global eco-friendly initiatives have been introduced to develop the marine economy and improve people's income and wellbeing. A key initiative is the Blue Economy, which entails an economic cycle model that values conservation and regeneration. It advocates for the eliminate of waste products, the optimization of energy consumption, and responsible utilization of limited resources to improve society which thereby enables earth's ecology to reach a balance; realizing sustainable consumption and zero-emission objectives. International organizations, including the UN and the EU, have successively introduced "Blue Growth" action plans. These efforts highlight the feasibility of adopting blue economy concepts to promote the sustainable use of marine resources and sustainable environmental development.

Under the instruction of the marine policies introduced by the Taiwanese government (Outlines of National Marine Policy, Ocean Policy White Paper, Ocean Education Policy White Paper) and to meet the university’s social responsibilities, we proposed three fishing-related problems deriving from global climate change based on ocean-focused education/research and social concern; namely, coastal pollution, fishing village decline, and fishers' livelihood. To resolve these problems, we consulted with local industrial, public, private, academic, and research organizations and formed teacher groups specializing in restoration and conservation, food safety, eco-tourism, biotechnology, research development, and social practice. In addition, to adhere to our mission of developing Keelung by contributing to local villages and neighborhoods we have implemented our strategies of cultivating local experts, provided training for professional services, engage in the protection and restoration of marine resources, promote ocean education, and adjust teacher systems within local communities. We also promote social involvement, thereby improving the current state of ocean conservation, encourage students into relevant hot spots (fishing villages), and improve industrial connectivity all of which can add value to cultural assets; thus fulfilling our social responsibility of promoting a sustainable and eco-friendly marine environment.

 1. Creating practical education venues and designing innovative courses to cultivate local experts and revitalizing the fishing industry and fishing villages

Changes in the global marine environment have caused the decline of fishing villages and the loss of the culture associated with them, which has expedited the urgency of preserving and innovating fishing villages. This problem has been exacerbated by the tourism industry's lack of comprehensive planning and poor-quality itineraries. Therefore, we aspire to launch ecological classrooms and grow a tourism industry based on a professional marine framework that features both cultural and creative concepts; promoting the sustainable development of fishing villages.

The marine resources along the northeastern coastline of Taiwan are gradually depleting. Catch volume and aquaculture production has seen annual declines which in turn has had an impact on the fishing economy and culture. Badouzi Fishing Harbor is a fishing center built during the early period of land reclamation in Taiwan. Summer light fishing and winter harpoon fishing are embodiments of the knowledge residents who rely on the sea for their livelihoods have as well as the memory of the local fishing industry. However, this traditional fishing culture is under threat which the university’s branch in Matsu has been established to investigate further. Although tourism has skyrocketed in Matsu in recent years, there is a strong asymmetry between tourism and traditional local assets. In response, we relocated educational resources to Matsu and redesigned several courses to coincide with local practices and operations. By providing onsite learning, the university helps students practically apply theory whilst also helping to develop local professionals and promote the development of ecological tourism in fishing villages. These actions contribute to local development, create new development opportunities, and breathe new life into local communities.

Figure 1. Executive Strategy 1

2. Promoting professional service learning, attracting young entrepreneurs and innovators, and improving local industrial connectivity

Fishing villages have a rich cultural heritage. Our consolidation plan aims to develop regional features and create new value for fishing villages. We aim to attract students to local sites through the provision of professional service-learning and innovation courses. Through service-learning and case analysis, the university aims to innovate and consolidate useful knowledge and technologies, incorporating them into fishing villages and local industries. These measures aim to stimulate innovative and creative ideologies, improve local industrial connectivity, and add value to cultural assets.

Figure 2. Executive Strategy 2

3. Conserving and restoring fishing resources, ensuring the stable development of eco-tourism, and mitigating the depletion of resources

Under the blue economy co-creation and symbiosis model the university devised customized plans for various areas; outlined restoration areas for crabs, squid, and brown algae; promoted a project to utilize sword shrimp fully; and enhanced the value of sword shrimp. The university built the Fluorescent Algae Resource Base in Matsu to promote the development of eco-tourism.

Figure 3. Executive Strategy 3

 

4. Developing the concept of sharing professional education resources and promoting local ocean education

To university aims to both strengthen the university’s cooperation with surrounding general and vocational high schools in Keelung and transform high school and university students into professionals beneficial that local development and the creation of wealth. To achieve this the university shares its marine education resources with surrounding high schools. In addition, the university has also launched ocean exploration advanced placement courses to bridge the knowledge gap between high school and university.

Figure 4. Executive Strategy 4

5. Encouraging teachers to engage in onsite teaching and research and fulfilling the university’s social responsibilities

Figure 5. Executive Strategy 5

 

Results

• Restoring and conserving marine resources: The university established a restoration area for crabs and squid, developed technologies to cultivate squid, and organized 25 guided tours. The university also focuses on restoring florescent algae resources. Thirty vats of florescent algae were successfully cultivated. They are on display at the Florescent Algae Resource Base in Matsu


• Promoting local, sustainable development: The university organized two CEO workshops over two years, enrolling 45 business owners and 30 students. The activity promoted co-learning between the business owners and students and incentivized young people to build their careers locally. The university also hosted the 1st Fishing Village Hackathon. Ninety-four people participated in the event, creating 23 innovative entrepreneurial proposals. In 2019, 11 teachers and students secured their tour guide license for Keelung Islet. They collectively completed 30 tours, attracting 1,800 tourists and generating 1.62 million in revenue.

https://reurl.cc/5gnOLq

 

 

 

 

Highlights of the Higher Education SPROUT (MASTER) Project in 2019

1. Realizing Teaching Innovation

(1) Elevating students’ learning effectiveness

An outcome-oriented curriculum planning program

Utilizing digital technology in teaching

Teachers are encouraged to incorporate smart/mobile devices or utilize tech equipment to create new teaching models, thereby achieving interactive smart teaching that motivates students to learn, which in turn enhances students' level of concentration and interest. Learning effectiveness should be presented through an outcome-oriented approach. In 2019, a total of 21 courses involving 977 students were included in the smart education program. The program utilized TronClass for online quizzes, which were used to evaluated students’ learning effectiveness; it also introduced the IRS instant feedback system for increasing student discussion. A total of 13 smart teaching modules and 79 hands-on projects were completed in the program.

Fig. 1-1-1: Students hand in assignments via Tronclass; teachers utilize the online evaluation system

Fig. 1-1-2: The IRS instant feedback system (Kahoot) is used in courses to elevate students’ interest in learning

Exploratory and hands-on courses

Students in the teacher education program in 2019 were primarily trained to develop the ability to engage in diverse narratives. Students gradually developed their abilities during participatory practices through a learn-by-doing approach. A total of 60 students participated, accounting for 55% of the students in NTOU’s teacher education program. The students delivered 73 hands-on projects and special presentations.

Fig. 1-1-3 and 1-1-4: Hands-on teaching activities enabled students to cultivate skills related to practical teaching, class management, and their ability to lend support to others.

Promoting capstone courses

Teachers guide students to consider and resolve problems. Student performance is primarily evaluated based on hands-on projects and product development. A total of 39 courses were offered in 2019, with 1,528 participating students.

Fig. 1-1-5: Integrating students' primary and core knowledge with skills acquired during their four years in university; holding presentations on research results and topical competitions.

 

Incentivizing competitions for applications in professional disciplines

Learning through competitions helped cultivate teamwork skills and increase motivation, thereby promoting professional growth. In 2019, more than 20 teams of teachers and students participated in competitions in the fields of food and logistics, biotech, aquatic resources, marine energy, and programming languages.

Fig. 1-1-6: The marine energy exploration program – paper bridge design competition

Fig. 1-1-7: The aquatic biotechnology and industry program – experimental operations competition

 

(2) Improving students’ professional practice

 

Program for enhancing students’ occupational preparedness

 

Offering courses on industry trends to enhance students’ occupational preparedness

• Industry-university survey courses and introductory courses:In 2019, 17 departments offered 30 department-level marine courses such as Introduction to Fishery Science, accounting for approximately 77% of departments in NTOU. A total of 2,200 persons enrolled in such courses.


• Industry-university bridging courses: In 2019, 35 courses were offered, such as a lecture course offered by the Grobest Group. A total of 1,659 persons enrolled in such courses, including 19 corporate visits attended by 848 persons.


• Alumni lectures and experience sharing: Alumni with outstanding achievements in a variety of fields were invited to give lectures in which they shared their learning and entrepreneurial experience. The objective of these lectures was to expand students’ consideration of and plans for their future development. In 2019, Legacy and Innovation – A Lecture Course by Wang Kuang-hsiang was presented for the first time. In addition to National Policy Advisor and M.I.T. Chartering and Agency Co., Ltd. President Jason Lin and Chairman Wang Kuang-hsiang of the Shanyuan Group, the mentors of this course also included an elite group of business experts: T.V.L. Business Group Consultant Chen Teng, former president Li Ming-Yuan of McDonald’s Taiwan, Chairman Chiu Tsang-ming of Avitone Co., Ltd., former president Jeng Sen-Shyong of National Taiwan Ocean University, Chairman Tseng Chun-peng of King Freight Group, SGS Consultant Yang Kun-shan, Chairman Chou Mu-hao of Chinese Maritime Transport Ltd., Horizon Yachts CEO Lu Jya-yang, Chairman Tsai Chun-hsiung of Fortune Life Enterprise Co., Ltd., Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation Chairman Bronson Hsieh, Chairman Li Hsin-min of China Steel Global Trading Corporation, Executive Chairman Ko Chi-kang of the Grobest Group, and Foremost Group Consultant Li Ming-Ching. A total of 94 students enrolled in the course.

Fig. 1-2-1: High-ranking members of the Grobest Group were invited to give a lecture, thereby sharing their professional and practical knowledge and helping students plan for the future.

Fig. 1-2-2: Legacy and Innovation – A Lecture Course by Wang Kuang-hsiang

 

 Career preparedness courses to increase students’ competitiveness in the job market

• Courses jointly designed by the authorities, businesses, and NTOU: NTOU collaborated with the Keelung Customs Office of the Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance to hold lectures by industry practitioners, host corporate visits, and offer licensing exams centered on practical customs issues. Students were encouraged to take part in licensing exams. A total of 85 out of 87 students who attended the licensing exam for dedicated personnel for the independent management of bonded warehouses, duty-free shops, and logistics centers qualified and received certification, for a passing rate of 97.7%. The passing rate for the Quality Business Supply Chain Safety licensing exam was 100%. Both licenses increase students’ competitiveness in the workplace.


• Developing integrated professional courses centered on specific professions: Assistant Professor Fang Ming-chih of NTOU’s Department of Food Science organized a special lecture for the profession of food technician, during which he introduced workplace and functional standards required for public food science and food technician positions. This allowed students to gain a greater understanding of public positions in food science (through the civil service examination) and how to plan for such careers. In addition, students were able to logically deduce the knowledge and compositional skills required for food science. These include the ability to summarize different food science classifications, conduct analyses, and problem-solving skills. The special lecture enables students to clearly understand so that they can utilize their acquired knowledge to solve problems that they may encounter in the future.

Fig. 1-2-3: The course and licensing examination for Quality Business Supply Chain Safety

(3) Cultivating students’ key capabilities

Holistic education and literacy program

 

Elevating marine and humanities literacy

 

Creative ocean-related literature events and course events were organized. For example, a total of 60 written works by students were featured in the 8^th Ocean Literature Award. In the Ocean Love Poem Competition, 12 lyrical poems and 21 poems by students were featured in NTOU’s Mountain and Sea Gallery. Five ocean-themed lectures and workshops were held with authors-in-residence Wang Qijiang and Liao Hongji serving as lecturers. Six ocean-themed credit lectures were held with U.S. environmental specialist Professor Jenna Jambeck, Mr. Wu Hsian-tsung of the Wilderness Society, NTOU Professor Ko Yung-tse, National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium Associate Researcher Ho Hsuan-ching, and trainer Liu Yu-hsin of Yehliu Ocean World. A university-wide, liberal arts required course, Introduction to Marine Science (two credits) for freshmen was held, thereby ensuring that students from all departments in NTOU were equipped with basic knowledge of marine science.

Fig.1-3-1

Fig.1-3-2

Fig.1-3-3

Increasing students’ Mandarin and English narrative skills

A Chinese-English online composition platform that has a peer-review function for freshmen was introduced, and awards for ocean-related literature and romantic poetry were offered, with 186 persons participating. Subsidies were provided for 466 students who signed up for English proficiency tests in 2019. In addition, monetary awards for excellence (high-intermediate level) and high distinction (advanced level) in the GEPT were awarded to 122 and 15 students, respectively, thereby motivating students to improve their English proficiency. NTOU’s students performed brilliantly in the Ocean Cup Cross-Strait Translation Contest and achieved excellent results. Professional Chinese and English narrative courses, including courses in workplace presentations and business English, were offered for general education credits. In keeping with the colleges' teaching quality enhancement program, a course on professional narrative was developed to incorporate narrative training into professional courses. In 2019, 22 narrative courses were offered. For example, in the College of Ocean Law and Policy's Case Studies in the Criminal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure (2), students were divided into three teams. One served as the short speech team, a second handled visuals, and the third team handled documentation. The short speech group gave an overview of problems related to judicial cases and joint principal offenders in past criminal cases in Taiwan. After reviewing and understanding verdicts, students in the visuals and documentation teams illustrated previous local criminal cases to their peers and instructors through acting and speeches.

Fig.1-3-4

Fig.1-3-5

Student clubs: Cultivating independence and creativity

 

The 2019 Matsu Charity Concert was held on the NTOU Matsu Campus, where 79 students involved in music and art clubs (the rock club, guitar club, piano club, Chinese music club, orchestra, hip hop club, fire dance club, street dance club, ballroom dance club, magic club, diabolo club, and performance groups from the Matsu Campus) put on a show that demonstrated their passion and performing abilities. This event was an opportunity for students to serve and enrich local communities in Lienchiang County (Matzu).

Fig.1-3-6

Fig.1-3-7

Cultivating students’ social care and media literacy

 

The school offers interdisciplinary general education courses and literacy courses centered on global issues in the humanities, history and geography, the arts, literature, and social care, such as courses on the maritime environment, maritime immigration, and maritime law; international conventions in gender and media representation; and lecture courses on character education, gender equality education, community engagement, and managing emotions. The objective of these courses is to guide students in breaking with stereotypical points of view and foster critical thinking skills, and thereby increase students’ media literacy. NTOU collaborated with the Keelung Branch of Tri-Service General Hospital to offer free clinic services in Badouzi Fishing Village on four occasions, serving approximately 120 residents.

Fig.1-3-8

Fig.1-3-9

(4) Promoting innovative teacher training

 

Establishing channels of communication for teachers

 

Increasing teachers’ channels of communication

 

The NTOU Teacher + online platform for teachers was established in 2019 to disseminate real-time information on teacher training programs, project applications, and ideas for innovative teaching, thereby effectively establishing a channel of communication. As of December 2019, approximately 190 teachers, or 47% of NTOU’s faculty, had joined the platform. A program was also launched in which NTOU’s Center for Teaching and Learning organized visits with teachers to understand their needs and to provide support for and information on innovative teaching. A total of 54 teachers received visits between March and December 2019.

Establishing a school-wide committee

 

The Innovative Teaching and Learning Group has held six meetings since its founding in August 2018. In 2019, the number of members in the group was expanded to ten. The Math Teaching and Learning Group, which has five members, has held six meetings since it was founded in August 2018. The groups’ committee members brainstorm to develop strategies for promoting education in NTOU. The promotion of NTOU’s Higher Education Sprout Project was spearheaded by Professor Wang Chia-ling, and analysis is being conducted by Professor Wu Chin-kuo of the Institute of Education. Their research results are regularly shared with the committee for the purpose of identifying and solving problems.

Fig.1-4-5

(5) Increasing teachers’ practical experience

 

Practicing classroom observation

 

Practicing classroom observation

 

Under the framework of NTOU’s Plan for Selecting and Rewarding Excellent Teachers, candidates are required to participate in classroom observation and interaction. Since 2019, colleges have been required to propose model courses in which it is suitable for NTOU’s teachers to participate in classroom observation. In addition, a teaching observation information system (http://academics.ntou.edu.tw/TDIS/) offers classroom observation information to NTOU faculty. The Center for Teaching and Learning is responsible for course management. In 2019, a total of 35 classes were open for observation, and 48 teachers observed classes. The observing teacher is required to provide feedback, and the demonstrating teacher must complete a self-assessment form, which increases teacher interaction and practical teaching experience.

Fig.1-5-1

 

年度	107年	108年
開放課堂數	24門	35門
參與觀摩人數	32位	48位

Table.1

Fig.1-5-2

The Mentor-Mentee Program

 

In the Mentor-Mentee Program, senior teachers (mentors) assist and support novice teachers and engage in mutual classroom observation, which enables novice teachers to accelerate their training in the fields of teaching, research, service, and guidance counseling. In 2019, a total of 18 teachers in nine groups completed the program. The second stage of the Mentor-Mentee Program was launched in 2019. Novice teachers who had completed the first-stage program were allowed to apply for the second-stage program. Rolling admissions were employed for the second-stage program; teachers could apply for a subsidy for one course to cover the cost of the teaching resources necessary to assist novice teachers as they begin their teaching career.

Table.2

2. Develop Distinct Institutional Features

 

(1) Training specialists in the maritime fields

 

Establishing a foundation for the development of specialists in the maritime fields of study

 

Establishing a foundation for the development of specialists in the maritime fields of study and shaping NTOU as a cradle for top-tier talent in the maritime industry

 

NTOU has developed into an internationally renowned school with the most complete marine education in the world. Its seven colleges, 22 departments, 11 independent institutes, 27 graduate programs, and 19 postgraduate programs offer a comprehensive marine education with a wide range of maritime-related fields to specialize in. NTOU works with both its administrative and academic branches to achieving comprehensive development, and proactively recruits marine professionals and talent as teachers and researchers. Furthermore, training in maritime fields is emphasized in student recruitment strategies, and the school’s marine education and research facilities are continuously improved. Presently, the school has expanded to three campuses: the Keelung (main) Campus, Matsu Campus, and Taoyuan Guanyin Campus. The Matsu Campus, located in Lienchiang County, was founded and opened in September 2019, and so far offers students a choice of three programs: Marine Biotechnology, Marine Engineering Science and Technology, and Marine Management.

(2) Becoming a think tank for maritime education

 

Promoting maritime education and knowledge

 

Organize a national tour to promote maritime education and strengthen maritime awareness

In 2019, the Marine Career Exploration and Development Plan was formulated to promote Taiwan’s marine career courses and extend them to classes taught in junior high schools and elementary schools, as well as to maximize the overall effectiveness of maritime career exploration in Taiwan. The plan involved 30 sessions in junior high schools, senior high schools, and vocational schools across Taiwan. Additionally, maritime consulting services were offered help gain a better understanding of how best to promote maritime education programs in different special municipalities, counties, and cities. Consulting services were completed in 22 counties and cities.

Promoting marine disaster prevention and increasing disaster prevention awareness

 

        NTOU collaborated with a private business to produce posters and informative videos about rogue waves and riptides, and imparted knowledge of maritime disaster prevention in the newsletter of the Taiwan Marine Education Center and on the center’s fan page. An online prize quiz involving knowledge of maritime disaster prevention was held to increase the public’s motivation to learn about this topic(https://pse.is/NKZC8). Over 10,000 people completed the quiz, and the promotional material on maritime disaster prevention garnered 8,000 views.

 

 

Fig.2-2-4

Fig.2-2-5

(3) International teaching and research collaborations

 

Marine smart cloud technology

 

Establishing a basic AI teaching lab and associated courses

NTOU has set up a basic AI teaching lab, planned AI application course modules, and offered 26 courses including an introduction to AI, deep learning, Python, and digital image processing. The AI aquaculture team has actively engaged in substantive collaborative research with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego to develop three major technologies: autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) applications, high-resolution underwater cameras, and underwater fish countering. The goals of such collaborations are to contribute to AI innovation and increase professional knowledge of AI and to teach students to apply AI technology in the industry.

Fig.2-3-2

Developing AI technology industrial applications

 

A total of 14 maritime industry-related courses are offered. In addition, NTOU’s research team has developed a smart aquaculture management system that won a FUTEX award and National Innovation Award. The system included an AI IoT cloud monitoring subsystem, AI fish length and weight measurement and abnormal behavior analysis subsystem, AI automatic baiting subsystem, AI antitheft subsystem, and an autonomous box net buoyancy subsystem. In the future, the system can be used in the aquaculture industry, enabling fishermen to minimize costs while maximizing output and thereby achieving optimal aquaculture performance. NTOU also worked with OKI-COM in Japan to conduct experiments in an IoT system application at OKI-COM’s Mozuku Fish Farm and promote the application.

3. Enhancing the Universality of Higher Education

(1) Enrollment assistance mechanisms

Enrolling economically and culturally disadvantaged students

 

    Earmarking funds for financial aid and establishing a foundation to raise funds for financial aid 

1 1. Increasing enrollment opportunities for disadvantaged students

• Department meetings are held to facilitate the exchange of opinions on how to increase enrollment opportunities for disadvantaged students and to collect the views of the various departments concerning approaches for enrolling disadvantaged students and gain a consensus on approaches to handling enrollment and admissions.


• Forming alliances with rural high schools and encourage university students to help disadvantaged high school students with their school work: The university has formed close ties with rural high schools such as New Taipei Municipal Jin-Shan High School and New Taipei Municipal Shuang-Xi High School. The university regularly holds forums and exchanges to create a rural partnership network. In addition, the university collaborates with Keelung Municipal Badou Senior High School. The Badou region is faced with severe population outflow and a sharp decline in its local fishing industry. Students who remain in Badou to attend high school are mostly disadvantaged or suffer from financial hardship. With this plan, outstanding students in the university visit Badou Senior High School to help disadvantaged high school students with their school work, thereby providing them with better learning opportunities.


• Holding forums in high schools to promote the enrollment of disadvantaged students: A. Enrollment of disadvantaged students in rural schools (Badou Senior High School and Matsu Senior High School): The university targets rural high schools and high schools with a high proportion of disadvantaged students and provides enrollment information to disadvantaged students to encourage these students to enroll. In 2019, the university organized a total of 34 off-campus forums. B. Visitation and promotion of enrollment for disadvantaged students: Senior high schools are invited to visit the university to learn about its admissions policy for disadvantaged students. The university provides transportation services and a comprehensive explanation of its admissions policy for disadvantaged students. The university also provides admissions materials to interested students and teachers. In 2019, the university organized eight tours. C. Promoting the enrollment of disadvantaged students at the USR Expo: The university attended the USR Expo to introduce its admissions policy for disadvantaged students to the public. Lively teachers, parents, and students were present to introduce discounts and admissions methods for disadvantaged students. In 2019, the university organized 15 events. D. Promoting enrollment in high schools nationwide, and providing incentives and subsidies to disadvantaged students: To prevent labeling and to ensure that the largest possible number of students can be reached, the university visits different high schools to introduce its admissions policy for disadvantaged students. We also offer the Puyu Scholarship to cover the tuition and living expenses of students so that they may focus on learning.

	No	學校	日期	教師
校外弱勢招生講座	1	苗栗縣私立建台高中	108年02月13日（三）	商船系劉中平老師
	2	臺北市立南湖高中	108年02月27日（三）	資工系丁培毅老師
	3	臺北市立陽明高中	108年03月12日（二）	生科系黃培安老師
	4	基隆市立中山高中	108年03月15日（五）	商船系劉中平老師
	5	苗栗縣私立建臺高中	108年03月29日（五）	共教中心謝玉玲老師
	6	苗栗縣私立建臺高中	108年03月30日（六）	商船系劉中平老師
	7	臺北市立永春高中	108年03月30日（六）	資工系蘇育生老師
	8	臺北市立華江高中	108年04月10日（三）	電機系林正凱老師
	9	新北市立樹林高中	108年04月12日（五）	資工系葉春超老師
	10	大碩補習班	108年07月07日（日）	養殖系黃章文老師
	11	大碩補習班	108年07月08日（一）	生科系黃志清老師
	12	大碩補習班	108年07月11日（四）	通訊系王和盛老師
	13	大碩補習班	108年07月12日（五）	資工系蔡國煇老師
	14	國立馬祖高中	108年09月20日（五）	機械系吳俊毅老師
	15	國立東華大學	108年09月20日（五）	地科所陳惠芬所長
	16	國立東華大學	108年09月20日（五）	環態所蔡安益所長
	17	臺北市立教育大學	108年09月23日（一）	地科所陳惠芬所長
	18	國立高雄科技大學	108年09月24日（二）	地科所姜智文老師
	19	新北市新北高中	108年09月26日（四）	環漁系藍國瑋老師
	20	國立基隆女中	108年10月01日（二）	生科系黃培安老師
	21	國立基隆女中	108年10月02日（三）	航管系蔡豐明老師
	22	私立真理大學	108年10月02日（三）	地科所張英如老師
	23	國立臺北科技大學	108年10月08日（二）	地科所張英如老師
	24	國立嘉義大學	108年10月09日（三）	地科所陳惠芬所長
	25	臺北市立永春高中	108年10月09日（三）	資工系蘇育生老師
	26	私立大葉大學	108年10月16日（三）	環態所陳宗岳老師
	27	臺北市立中崙高中	108年10月17日（四）	資工系林士勛老師
	28	基隆市私立二信高中	108年11月04日（五）	資工系辛華昀老師
	29	新北市立新莊高中	108年11月05日（六）	資工系莊鈞翔老師
	30	基隆市立暖暖高中	108年11月08日（五）	養殖系黃章文老師
	31	臺北市立大直高中	108年11月14日（一）	資工系嚴茂旭老師
	32	新北市立永平高中	108年11月14日（一）	資工系趙志民主任
	33	新北市立中和高中	108年11月19日（二）	商船系劉謙老師
	34	臺北市私立景文高中	108年11月22日（五）	機械系吳俊毅老師
參與高中及各縣市政府升學博覽會	1	臺北市私立東山高中	108年01月28日（一）	13：00 ~ 17：00
	2	臺北市私立東山高中	108年01月29日（二）	08：00 ~ 12：00
	3	國立宜蘭高中	108年01月31日（四）	10：00 ~ 12：00
	4	彰化縣私立精誠高中	108年02月15日（五）	13：00 ~ 15：00
	5	國立虎尾高中	108年02月20日（三）	09：00 ~ 15：00
	6	臺北市立復興高中	108年02月27日（三）	09：00 ~ 13：00
	7	基隆市私立二信中學	108年03月08日（五）	13：00 ~ 16：00
	8	國立臺灣師範大學僑生先修部、新北市各高中	108年03月08日（五）	10：00 ~ 16：00
	9	臺南市私立港明高中	108年03月09日（六）	09：00 ~ 13：00
	10	國立鹿港高中	108年05月15日（三）	10：00 ~ 12：00
	11	台中市立東山高中	108年05月20日（一）	09：00 ~ 13：00
	12	高雄市立三民高級中學	108年06月04日（二）	13：00 ~ 15：00
	13	基隆市私立培德高級工業家事職業學校	108年10月26日（六）	10：00 ~ 13：00
	14	桃園市立大溪高中	108年11月09日（六）	09：00 ~ 12：00
	15	臺中市立惠文高級中學	108年11月28日（六）	14：00 ~ 16：00
高中師生蒞本校參訪	1	國立基隆高中（師生共約21人）	108年01月04日（五）
	2	新北市東海高中（師生約70人）	108年05月16日（四）
	3	致理科技大學（師生共約43人）	108年06月04日（二）
	4	國立基隆高中(師生約25人)	108年08月14日（三）
	5	臺北市私立幼華高中	108年10月09日（三）
	6	新北市立秀峰高中	108年10月16日（三）
	7	桃園市私立治平高級中學	108年11月06日（三）
	8	新北市立秀峰高中	108年11月15日（五）

Table 1: Enrollment mechanism, execution strategy, and achievements in enrolling disadvantaged students

辦理機制	執行策略	具體成果
積極進行弱勢招生宣傳	1.種子教師校外招生講座	108年度截至11月份為止，透過34場種子教師校外招生講座，15場高中及縣市政府升學博覽會，8所高中師生蒞校參訪，宣傳弱勢入學措施。
	2.升學博覽會
	3.高中師生蒞校參訪
保障原住民及身心障礙學生入學機會	1.增加原住民外加名額	109學年度提供繁星推薦及個人申請管道原住民外加名額共124名，較108學年度74名，增加50名，增幅達40.3%。
	2.提供身心障礙招生管道	提供身心障礙甄試及單獨招生2個管道，保障身障學生入學機會。
建立弱勢學生優先錄取的招生辦法	1.擴大弱勢及特殊學生定義範圍	逐年擴大弱勢及特殊學生範圍，讓更多學生可以受到優先錄取或交通住宿補助。108學年度包括6種弱勢身分資格。
	2.個人申請招生管道有 弱勢優先錄取方案	各學系（組）提供優先錄取弱勢生至多1名。
	3.特殊選才招生管道有 弱勢優先錄取方案	各學系（組）提供優先錄取弱勢生至多1名。
放寬招生簡章標準	1.放寬繁星推薦入學管道門檻	1.繁星推薦促進區域平衡。 2.學生在校學業成績全校排名百分比標準由「前30%」調整至「前40%」。
	2.無需「高中英語聽力測驗」門檻	繁星推薦及個人申請管道，第一階段篩選，均不需「高中英語聽力測驗」門檻，有助偏鄉學生申請就學。
提高報考動機降低甄選成本	1.弱勢生報名費減免	各管道均提供弱勢生報名費減免，並逐年檢討放寬。
	2.補助面試交通及住宿費	個人申請及特殊選才管道，補助弱勢學生面試交通及住宿。並至108學年度起，簡化考生申請補助方式與程序，提高考生申請意願。
	3.個人申請面試交通接駁	自108學年度起，於面試2日期間，安排基隆火車站至本校往返交通接駁，共計3台遊覽車，每日上午8時至17時30分，每30分鐘一班車，方便考生應試以減輕學生應試負擔。

Table 2: Mechanism to earmark funds for financial aid and performance

2. Earmarking funds for financial aid and establishing a foundation to raise funds for financial aid 

• Establishing a mechanism to earmark funds for financial aid and fundraising: The university appropriates over 20% of its annual tuition revenue into the Student Public Expenditures and Incentives foundation. The fund is used for tuition and dormitory fee discounts or exemptions. Life bursaries and part-time administrative assistant bursaries provide opportunities for students to learn while working. The university also organizes fundraisers to offer scholarships to disadvantaged students to ease their financial burden. Fundraisers are organized in accordance with the Regulations on Raising School Funds and National Taiwan Ocean University Guidelines for Accepting Corporate or Private Scholarship Donations. Types of scholarships include endowments (based on results and used as bursaries), dedicated scholarships (dedicated funds for specific purposes), and scholarships raised through small donations (e.g., Set Sail and Votive Scholarship, which is funded by alumni, faculty and staff, and benevolent people).

 

年度	助學專款及基金募款資助人次	提撥金額(元)
106	1,115	19,654,065
107	1,099	18,873,603
108	1,124	19,212,459

 

年度	基金募款資助人次	提撥金額(元)
106	505	7,781,440
107	586	8,349,580
108	517	7,742,360

• Increasing the scale of scholarships for disadvantaged students: A total of NT $83,871,000 is appropriated annually to the Student Public Expenditure and Incentives fund. Of this, NT $5,342,090 is earmarked for subsidies for disadvantaged students,  including subsidies to cover emergencies, cost of living, accommodation, special education, financial hardship, and financial hardship for indigenous people. To assist indigenous people and incentivize service-learning, the university introduced the Service Learning Scholarship for Indigenous People and established a counseling department specifically for indigenous students.


• A mechanism for ensuring the sustainability of funds earmarked for financial aid: Between 2018 and 2019, NT $8.96 million was raised for the Caring for Disadvantaged Students Scholarship Fund, a fund earmarked for subsidizing care programs for disadvantaged students. The Alumni Service Center regularly holds fundraisers to solicit donations from foundations and alumni.

 

(2) Information disclosure

University Affairs Research and Development Project

1 1. Improving IR competence, strengthening self-regulatory mechanisms, and increasing transparency

• Creating robust databases and university information platform modules: The university has created databases for all aspects of school affairs (students, teachers, courses), including the University Affairs Database, Teaching Affairs Database, IECG Student Development Database, and CFTL Teacher and Student Projects and Activities Database. The university has also created static databases and a modular platform for school affairs which allows the various departments to upload data of importance to the Ministry of Education. Data are compiled into defined columns and exported to an Oracle database to facilitate file management and provide access to various departments. Moreover, data from different years are cross-referenced to ensure data integrity and continuity. The university also created a modular graphic platform for university affairs research. The platform comprises a school database module, a core indicator module for quality assurance, and a topic analysis module. The link to the university affairs research information platform is https://bit.ly/2qOX54b. Departments periodically disclose important information involving students, research, school affairs, teaching affairs, and faculty. In addition, the university releases its management performance report to ensure information transparency and fulfill its social responsibility.


• Analyzing research topics to promote projects: For students wishing to enroll through unconventional channels, the university analyzes their performance before admissions and during attendance and has found that students accepted under the Multi-Star Project outperformed students who were accepted through other channels. Therefore, the quota of Multi-Star Project applicants was adjusted. We also found that students accepted under the Special Selection Program were less familiar with a portion of their coursework. The university arranged a remedial learning program to help these students with their coursework. The results of the analysis were used to refine the university's enrollment strategy, and the outcomes of university affairs research were used to adjust teaching methods and approaches. We also used the outcomes to check the correctness of our early graduation criteria and found fairness issues with the original criteria. The criteria were adjusted based on our observations to ensure fairness and honor.


• Training big data analysts: The university takes advantage of the resources of the University Affairs Research Office to foster student teams. We regularly hold training events and teaching analysis exercises to cultivate students' big data database management skills and statistical analysis abilities. In addition to assisting the University Affairs Research Office in research and analysis, the university also endeavors to foster students' interest in university affairs research and big data and improve their paper-writing skills. We can determine students' needs with regard to university affairs research and apply our observations by refining our university affairs research mechanisms through these events and exercises.

2. Improving full-time and part-time teacher requirements to enhance teaching quality:

The university has created department-level quality assurance open data platforms (departments, institutes, and degree courses) based on the teaching quality assurance indicators for 2021 (Fig. 1). The platform provides supporting data for department-level reports and committee visits. The modules are tabulated in Table 1.

Figure 1: Department-level QA module

表號	系所品保核心標題對應模組內容
1	各學年實際開課清單
2	課程綱要表與教師教學大綱
3	師資結構與聘用情形之相關統計資料 （分專兼任、專案、職級、學位、教學年資等）
4	教師授課鐘點名冊及彙整表
5	支援教師教學專業發展機制、運作與成效相關資料--計畫方案
6	支援教師教學專業發展機制、運作與成效相關資料--活動參與
7	教學評量或相關評鑑結果檢討、輔導及改進相關資料-課程評鑑
8	教學評量或相關評鑑結果檢討、輔導及改進之相關資料-受教率
9	教學評量或相關評鑑結果檢討、輔導及改進之相關資料-教學能量
10	教師教學時數、授課學生數與減授鐘點
11	近五年系所招生及學生入學就讀統計
12	近五年畢業生平均修業年限
13	學生就學與入學管理--學生來源分析
14	學生就學與學習歷程檔案／系統之結果運用相關資料，如學生休學、轉學及退情形之分析
15	學生學習情形之各項資料，成績分佈、學分抵免、重修不及格等情形
16	學習預警及補救教學措施

Tab.1

4. Fulfill Social Responsibilities

 

(1) Encouraging teachers to make contributions in their field

 

Revitalizing courses and ensuring course applicability

 

        Ensuring that courses satisfy demand and advancing teaching and research

In 2019, the university offered 63 practical courses that allowed students to visit the northern coasts of Taiwan and Matsu, including Marine Science and Technology Guided Tours and Practice, Digital Fishing Village and Social Practice, and Introduction to Ocean Tourism and Recreation. 42 cultural and creative product designers, 73 tourism micro-filmmakers, and 144 landscape and travel planners received training in these courses. The university assisted in producing infographic posters of native plants in Badouzi, a treasure hunt app, and new fishing village guided tours, and collaborated with the Chinese Language Center to launch a Chinese Teacher Training Course and USR Migrant Chinese Teacher Training. A total of 13 participants obtained graduation certificates, and three were able to enter the field to help with Chinese classes for USR migrants.

A joint presentation by students in the Creative Marketing and Planning Course and the Local Culture and Community Building Course includes a promotional micro-film for Matsu tourism and Matsu cultural and creative product designs.

Students in the Creative Marketing and Planning Course visit Matsu to collect footage for their micro-film.

Students in the Creative Marketing and Planning Course designed a brochure for promoting tourism in Matsu.

3rd CFL Teacher Training Course launched on March 21.

Students learning in the Migrant Chinese Teacher Training Course

(2) Supporting inter-university and interdisciplinary cooperation

 

Creating inter-university co-learning mechanisms

   

    Creating an inter-university co-learning mechanism and establishing inter-university alliances and cooperation

The university and the USR Promotional Center held a joint training activity on June 4, 2019 (1): Where the Land Meets the Sea is an event to develop relationships and share successful experiences with like-minded partners. A total of 22 events have been organized. We organized three exchange events to continue the alliance forged in 2018 and have encouraged the USR departments of different universities to support or share their experiences. The events enable universities to share practical experience and promote sustainable social practices. We also jointly organized two health promotion activities with Taipei Medical University to promote the good health in the fishermen and women of Lianjiang County and provide them with information about chronic illnesses. The events also allowed students to put service-learning concepts into practice. In addition, the university collaborated with local associations to host the Seawater and Yam Dye Training Program. A total of 30 teachers received training, and the exhibitions attracted 4,500 people. We also worked with Ching Kuo Institute of Management and Health to host a presentation about strengthening inter-university relationships and training local revitalization talent.

The university and the USR Promotion Center organized a joint training activity on June 4, 2019 (1): Where the Land Meets the Sea – Developing and Managing Partnerships

USR Partner Forum (Round 1) - Universities shared their experiences in promoting USR

USR Partner Forum (Round 2) - The team involved in the university's plan to build a blue economy demonstration area collaborated with Professor Tseng Shen-Wen to host Sustainable Business Transformation - NTOU's Exploratory and Practical Experiences in Matsu

USR Partner Forum (Round 3) - PLUS KAGA's Mr. Yukimasa Inamura was invited to speak at Young Creative Entrepreneurs - From Tokyo to Dashi.

Health promotion activity - Student teams used models to demonstrate the Bass tooth-brushing technique.

Health promotion activity - Student teams approached outpatients in the waiting room to learn about their health conditions.

Yam dye techniques were used to dye seawater.

Yam dye results were presented at HOHObase, Badouzi.

 

     (3) Promoting local sustainable development

Revitalization in local schools

Revitalization in local schools to increase local exchanges and cooperation

Promoting local exchanges and providing community training: The Ocean USR and Local Revitalization – Badouzi Base was launched in the Regional Exploration Zone on the 2^nd floor of the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology. The site is used to promote community development, cultural tourism, and marine science education. World Ocean Day – Women and the Sea was held on June 8 at the site to thank the women who silently contribute to the world’s oceans. This year, a total of 11 forums were held. The university collaborated with the SME Honor Instructor Committee in organizing two local revitalization forums. It also worked with the Keelung branch of Tri-Service General Hospital and the head of Badou Neighborhood to organize a free clinic in Badouzi. Four free consultation services were organized at the clinic, serving 120 residents while promoting health awareness and education.

Hosted World Ocean Day – Women and the Sea on June 8 to promote protection of the world’s oceans

The university presented a certificate of gratitude to ten female contributors to marine science to thank them for their contributions to the world's oceans.

A local revitalization forum was revitalized with the SME Honor Instructor Committee on October 14.

Dr. Chen Ke-Wang, Physician at the Keelung branch of Tri-Service General Hospital, promoted oral hygiene.

• Directing local government resources to local development: To integrate industry, government, and university resources and combine revitalization with education, the university collaborated with the Keelung City Government Department of Economic Affairs, National Museum of Marine Science and Technology, and young startups to hold the 1^st Fishing Village Hackathon in Keelung. A total of 23 teams and 94 contestants registered for the event. The innovative proposals submitted during the event created unlimited development potential for the community. The NTOU Department of Tourism collaborated with Keelung Islet to reopen the island for tourism. A total of 11 teachers and students were trained to provide guided tours. Thanks to the efforts of the Keelung Fishermen’s Association between August and October 2019, 30 ferries were dispatched to Keelung Islet, serving 1,800 passengers and creating tourism revenue in excess of NT $1.62 million.

The 1^st Fishing Village Hackathon was held in Keelung between October 18 and 19.

Director of the Keelung City Government Department of Economic Affairs; Director of the Ocean Conservation Administration, Mr. Huang Xiang-Wen; and Vice President of NTOU, Prof. Hsu Tai-Wen, were the panelists at the Fishing Village Hackathon.

Prof. Wang Hui-Qiao of the Department of Tourism led a group of students to clean up the beaches of Keelung Islet.

NTOU students have in-depth knowledge of local tourism resources. They organized “trials” to share their knowledge.