(CNA reporter Chih-Wei Hsu, Taipei, April 24) National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) is taking the lead in promoting interdisciplinary learning by establishing the first “Exploration and Learning Center” among universities in Taiwan. The center provides structured exploration courses, academic counseling, and resource matching. It will also introduce a “Life Design” course to help students build their own personalized learning roadmaps.
According to a press release issued by NTHU today, over 70% of last year’s graduates engaged in interdisciplinary learning. To further support this trend, the university will launch a new “Personalized Exploration Program” this August. Starting from the second semester of their freshman year, students can receive counseling and apply to join the program. Upon approval, they will transfer to the Interdisciplinary Bachelor Program under the NTHU College. Students can then select a major outside their original department as their primary specialization, and combine it with a second major or various credit programs.
As students face more academic options, choosing and combining them effectively becomes even more crucial. To assist with this, NTHU has established the country’s first university-based Exploration and Learning Center. The center will offer exploration courses, one-on-one academic guidance, and resource integration. Additionally, the “Life Design” course will help students clarify their personal traits and identify suitable future directions.
To make guidance more relatable, the center will recruit senior students to mentor underclassmen. Hsin-Yi Peng, convener of the Exploration and Learning Center task force, stated that around 50 peer mentors have already been trained. Given their close age and shared student experience, they can better understand the concerns of junior students and help build supportive learning communities.
The center will also collaborate with various colleges to offer specialized exploration courses. Additionally, it will partner with Tsing Hua’s residential college, Tzai Wu College, to launch arts-themed exploratory seminars.
Peng mentioned that a survey conducted with about 200 students at NTHU revealed that 60–70% of respondents fell into two categories: those who are purpose-driven but uncertain about how to proceed, and those who are action-oriented but lack clear direction. The Personalized Exploration Program is designed specifically for these students, helping them find their path in a flexible academic environment.
For students seeking even more autonomy, NTHU also offers an “Experimental Education Program,” established in 2018. Under the guidance of academic mentors, students can design their own curricula—including courses not currently offered at the university—and even earn credits through overseas studies. This program supports true interdisciplinary and cross-regional flexible learning.
News source: CNA, April 24, 2025. Edited by Hsi-Chang Lee.