Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract/Objectives

National Tsing Hua University Partners with Ten Hsinchu High Schools to Launch the “Hsinchu Studies” Cross-School Curriculum National Tsing Hua University, in collaboration with ten high schools in the Hsinchu area, held a press conference to officially launch the “Hsinchu Studies” inquiry and practice curriculum. The program encourages students to step beyond textbooks and engage with their local community, exploring Hsinchu's past, present, and future through a century of transformation. The curriculum, centered on “A Century of Hsinchu's Industry and Cultural Changes,” is organized around six key exploration themes. Adopting a learning-by-doing approach, the program began in November with a thematic camp to spark students' curiosity. From the first semester of Grade 10 through the second semester of Grade 11, students will participate in themed courses and conduct project-based inquiries, working in teams of three to produce practical outcomes. The program aims not only to impart knowledge but also to cultivate students ' abilities to identify problems, propose solutions, and take action. Dr. Tian-Jian Li, Deputy Executive Director of Resilient and Sustainable Development Center at National Tsing Hua University and project lead, explained: “Hsinchu's rapid industrial transformation has intensified urban-rural disparities. We hope students can go beyond textbooks to understand the history and current challenges of their hometown. Through inquiry and hands-on practice, they will develop analytical and action-oriented skills.” By combining youth perspectives, teacher guidance, and industry support, the program aspires to become a national model for educational innovation and sustainable talent development.

Results/Contributions

Three Key Outcomes and Benefits of the Program

  1. Deepening High School Collaboration to Cultivate Sustainable and Socially Engaged Talent, Expanding University Recruitment Channels

By fostering interdisciplinary learning and breaking down campus boundaries, the program brings together ten high schools: Liujia High School, Zhudong High School, Hsinchu Science Park Experimental High School, Xiangshan High School, Jianggong High School, Hukou High School, Hsinchu Girls' High School, Yangming National Chiao Tung University Affiliated High School, Shuguang Girls' High School, and Guanxi High School. Teachers and students from across Hsinchu will collaborate across schools to gain a deeper understanding of their local community.

  1. Integrating USR Resources to Support High Schools in Developing Regional Curriculum and Building a Greater Hsinchu Talent Network

Centered on “A Century of Hsinchu's Industry and Cultural Changes,” the curriculum is organized around six key themes that explore Hsinchu from multiple perspectives:

🏙️ #UrbanStudies – Explore the old city's commercial districts and markets to uncover urban memories.

💧 #WatershedStudies – Conduct field investigations along the Touqian River to understand the relationship between water and daily life.

🌾 #HakkaStudies – Visit Beipu to experience Hakka culture and local industrial wisdom.

🏔️ #IndigenousStudies – Go to indigenous communities to learn about forest knowledge and cultural heritage.

🌏 #MigrationStudies – Interview migrant workers in Hukou to gain insight into the lives of diverse communities.

🔬 #ScienceParkStudies – Tour local enterprises to reflect on the intersection of technology and urban-rural development.

  1. Promoting Place-Based Education Rooted in “Hsinchu Studies,” Extending from High Schools to Junior High and Elementary Schools, and Implementing Hands-On Learning Across the 12-Year Basic Education Framework

Vice President Ping-Jiang Lu of National Tsing Hua University emphasized that “Hsinchu Studies” is more than a curriculum—it is a key initiative for grounding the university's social responsibility and sustainability vision at the local level. He noted that Tsing Hua aims to create a Regional Sustainable Development Platform, connecting municipal governments, local organizations, industrial enterprises, schools, and university research to lay the foundation for sustainable urban-rural development in Hsinchu.

Yi Xiu-Zhi, Specialist Commissioner of the Ministry of Education's Department of Basic Education, also praised the program, recognizing its embodiment of the inquiry- and practice-based spirit of the 12-Year Basic Education policy, and expressing hope that it will serve as a national model for educational innovation and sustainable talent cultivation.

The Hsinchu Studies Program is expected to nurture 60 high school students, encouraging them to start by understanding their local land, transform learning into action, and become forces for promoting sustainability.

Keywords

High School Curriculum Collaboration ProgramHsinchu Studies

Contact Information

林珍慧
rsdc@my.nthu.edu.tw