NEWS
College Features
- Publish Date：2025-04-16
Exclusive Interview with NYCU President Chi-Hung Lin: From Global Rankings to Educational Innovation—Shaping the Future of Higher Education
Chi-Hung Lin, President of NYCU, emphasizes that rankings are a reminder to focus on the true essence of education, with universities striving for academic excellence while driving social progress and creating opportunities for all learners
Narrated by NYCU President Chi-Hung Lin
Written by Hsiu-Cheng Faina Chang
Translated by Szu-Yung Huang
______
Written by Hsiu-Cheng Faina Chang
Translated by Szu-Yung Huang
______
In 2024, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) stood out in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Impact Rankings, achieving a global ranking of 50th. The university excelled in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in "Good Health and Well-Being" (SDG 3) and "Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure" (SDG 9). This recognition not only serves as the highest affirmation of NYCU's research, teaching, and societal influence but also highlights its commitment to global issues and social impact.
"Rankings are not the final destination; they remind us to focus on the true essence of education," said Chi-Hung Lin, President of NYCU. "The mission of universities is to achieve excellence in academics and research while also driving social progress and creating opportunities for every learner.
Breaking Boundaries: Online Education Paving the Way for Educational Equity
Driven by a strong sense of mission, NYCU utilizes online courses to break traditional teaching limits, striving to extend quality higher education beyond the campus into every corner of society. With the implementation of the 108 Curriculum Guidelines, many high schools across Taiwan have actively sought collaboration with universities. However, challenges such as time and space constraints and unequal distribution of resources between urban and rural areas often arise. In response, NYCU officially launched the "University-High School Collaborative Online Learning" (UHCOOL) project in 2024. This initiative brings together universities, local governments, industries, and high schools to jointly design and develop digital materials suitable for high school students' diverse elective courses and enrichment learning, creating a sustainable and scalable model for cross-institutional, cross-industry, and cross-disciplinary teaching collaboration.
"Rankings are not the final destination; they remind us to focus on the true essence of education," said Chi-Hung Lin, President of NYCU. "The mission of universities is to achieve excellence in academics and research while also driving social progress and creating opportunities for every learner.
Breaking Boundaries: Online Education Paving the Way for Educational Equity
Driven by a strong sense of mission, NYCU utilizes online courses to break traditional teaching limits, striving to extend quality higher education beyond the campus into every corner of society. With the implementation of the 108 Curriculum Guidelines, many high schools across Taiwan have actively sought collaboration with universities. However, challenges such as time and space constraints and unequal distribution of resources between urban and rural areas often arise. In response, NYCU officially launched the "University-High School Collaborative Online Learning" (UHCOOL) project in 2024. This initiative brings together universities, local governments, industries, and high schools to jointly design and develop digital materials suitable for high school students' diverse elective courses and enrichment learning, creating a sustainable and scalable model for cross-institutional, cross-industry, and cross-disciplinary teaching collaboration.
President Chi-Hung Lin of NYCU delivered a speech at the launch event of the "Introduction to Medicine" online course on March 17, expressing his hope that this online course would serve as a powerful tool to promote educational equality.The project focuses on NYCU's expertise by offering two flagship courses: 'Introduction of Semiconductor Principles and Manufactures' and 'Introduction to Medicine,' tailored as digital courses for high school students. The course 'Introduction to Medicine,' developed in collaboration with the New Taipei City Education Bureau, is set to be offered as an elective in high schools across New Taipei City starting in the autumn semester of 2025. This course integrates various fields, such as clinical medicine, basic medical science, public health policy, and smart healthcare. It features over 20 leading instructors, including the Chair of NYCU's Department of Medicine, professors, directors, and medical teams from Taipei Veterans General Hospital (TVGH), presenting a comprehensive and systematic overview of medical knowledge, opening the door for high school students to explore the medical world.
President Lin mentioned, "We hope that students not only gain knowledge but also discover fields they are passionate about during the learning process. Online courses are a powerful tool for sharing knowledge and serve as a gateway to the future." He emphasized, "In this AI era, university education must extend beyond classroom professional knowledge. We need to broaden perspectives and equip students with the ability to discover and solve complex problems." The course 'Introduction to Medicine' is a concrete example of this educational philosophy. It employs Problem-Based Learning (PBL), using real-world cases to inspire students' active exploration while encouraging them to identify and focus on problems worth solving.
Establishing a New Model for Sustainable Education
In designing digital courses, NYCU focuses on paperless and flexible learning methods, reducing resource consumption and making education more accessible. This approach is particularly impactful for students in rural areas, representing a significant step toward achieving educational equity. Furthermore, NYCU understands that education must be rooted in the foundation, which is why it integrates the UHCOOL program with high school curricula to foster closer collaboration. The recent shift of Zhubei High School into an NYCU-affiliated school marks a key milestone in creating a seamless connection between university and high school education.
President Lin remarked, "We hope to provide high school students with access to cutting-edge university knowledge, enabling them to better prepare for the future." The UHCOOL program centers on this objective, connecting university and high school educators to ensure the course content meets educational standards and prepares students for future challenges.
NYCU's focus on paperless and flexible learning methods in the UHCOOL program aims to reduce resource consumption, enhance accessibility, and foster closer collaboration between university and high school education, exemplified by the recent integration of Zhubei High School as an NYCU-affiliated institution.Educational Innovation, Creating Infinite Possibilities
Looking ahead, President Lin shared that NYCU will further deepen the integration of medical, technological, and humanities fields in response to the rapid changes in global education. "We strive to leverage innovation as an engine to create an education model for the next generation, helping students stand out in an ever-changing era." He also revealed that the university plans to enhance its international collaboration by partnering with top-tier institutions to create innovative teaching materials. This will enable students to grow on a global scale and acquire the skills to tackle worldwide challenges.
NYCU's focus on paperless and flexible learning methods in the UHCOOL program aims to reduce resource consumption, enhance accessibility, and foster closer collaboration between university and high school education, exemplified by the recent integration of Zhubei High School as an NYCU-affiliated institution.Related Image(s)：
