On September 2nd, the Center for General Education hosted the "CCU Freshmen Explore General Education" event, a two-day initiative held in conjunction with the 2024 freshman orientation. The event attracted approximately 1,700 participants, including faculty, staff, and students. In addition to faculty presentations on the requirements for general education courses, the event broke new ground by moving beyond traditional static poster displays. It featured a dynamic "New Knowledge Section," showcasing topics such as information technology, social practice, art aesthetics, and ecological conservation. A standout feature was the demonstration of an electric vehicle—the first of its kind nationwide—highlighting the Center's course offerings and educational materials, and providing freshmen with a deeper understanding of the general education curriculum at CCU.
Serving as a hub for interdisciplinary integration, the Center for General Education leverages the university’s extensive academic resources. Each semester, the Center offers over 230 general education courses and is steadily expanding collaborations with industry partners. This approach enhances both the theoretical and practical aspects of education, bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world application, and ensuring that the university’s graduates are well-prepared to meet the demands of today’s society. This summer, through micro-credit courses in collaboration with the Youth Development Administration, Ministry of Education, the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC), the ASUS Foundation, and other organizations, the Center coordinated resources from industry, government, and academia to lead students on an educational service trip to seven overseas Chinese schools in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. This initiative not only broadened students' international perspectives but also aimed to pioneer a sustainable new outlook for digital education in Northern Thailand through distance learning.
Director Ya-Hui Lee emphasized the Center's commitment to embedding the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its courses, with a particular focus on local engagement, environmental sustainability, and biodiversity. In line with SDG 17, the Center has established diverse partnerships to promote a sustainable future. This year's event also included participation from external organizations such as the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum and the Chiayi Branch of the Forestry Bureau. A notable highlight was the event’s main display—a state-of-the-art electric tricycle provided by Hsin Hong Chia Co., Ltd., and CCU EMBA alumnus General Manager Ching-Chuan Chen—in support of the national policy to transition to electric vehicles by 2050.
The Center for General Education noted that the freshman orientation not only introduced new students to the general education curriculum but also highlighted the tangible outcomes of the Higher Education Sprout Project and the university's commitment to social responsibility. Through this event, the Center aims to showcase the collective efforts of the university community, inspire freshmen to engage with CCU, foster a sense of belonging, and encourage them to grow and succeed during their time at the university.