On July 1, the Ministry of Education’s “Improving General Education in Universities (iGER)” advisory team visited Chung Yuan Christian University (CYCU) for an on-site consultation and in-depth exchange. The visit focused on CYCU’s current progress and future direction in general education, particularly in teaching practices, curriculum innovation, and integration of digital literacy.
Led by Professor Tsai-Yen Li, President of National Chengchi University and chief coordinator of the iGER program, the delegation included distinguished scholars from Huafan University, Chung Shan Medical University, National Taiwan Ocean University, and NCCU. CYCU representatives included Chief Secretary Kang-Tsung Yan, Dean of Academic Affairs Shih-Ming Pi, Director of the General Education Center Hui-Ling Ko, Deputy Dean Ji-Tsu Yuan, and Dean of the College of Humanities and Education Penise Pang, reflecting the university’s strong commitment to advancing general education.
The advisory team highly recognized CYCU’s comprehensive planning and solid achievements in general education, affirming the university’s dedication to holistic education and forward-looking academic development.
Professor Shu-Fen Lin, iGER Program Manager, opened the event by highlighting the importance of integrating general education with professional knowledge. She stated, “General education without professionalism is hollow; professionalism without general education is blind.”
Professor Hui-Ling Ko, Director of CYCU’s General Education Center, outlined the university’s achievements in curriculum innovation and interdisciplinary integration. Dean Shih-Ming Pi shared how CYCU is addressing the AI era by introducing foundational AI courses in general education and linking them with practical applications across disciplines.
The discussions were divided into three groups: administration, general education, and digital literacy. Participants exchanged ideas on curriculum design, learning assessment, and resource integration. In response to the challenges of the AI era, experts agreed that traditional tests no longer effectively measure learning depth. They recommended project-based learning and scenario-based assessments. Professor Hui-Ling Ko suggested incorporating AI tools into coursework to enhance students’ critical thinking and integrative skills through interdisciplinary projects and field research.
In recent years, Chung Yuan Christian University has actively advanced its general education, emphasizing holistic education and interdisciplinary learning. Since 2021, the university has introduced AI and sustainability topics into the curriculum, offering required courses such as “Introduction to Natural Science and Artificial Intelligence” and developing SDG-aligned elective modules to nurture future citizens with both professional expertise and humanistic values.
Since 2023, CYCU has launched collaborative learning communities and a General Education Social Practice Week to encourage students to engage with real-world issues. In 2024, the university received funding from the Ministry of Education’s “Digital Humanities and Interdisciplinary Talent Program,” further demonstrating its achievements in innovative general education practices.
The iGER advisory team affirmed CYCU’s achievements in curriculum innovation, resource integration, and practice-based general education, highlighting the university’s leadership in this field. The visit further emphasized CYCU’s important role in higher education transformation and talent cultivation. Moving forward, CYCU will continue to integrate general and professional education, strengthen students’ diverse competencies, and uphold its commitment to holistic education, contributing to the continued innovation and sustainable development of general education in Taiwan.
