National Chiao Tung University

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National Chiao Tung University (NCTU) offers an education of vision and excellence. We are committed to shaping talented students into unique intellectuals.

Vision: Top University in the World
- To nurture leadership by providing students with a multiple, holistic and visionary education
- To help students pursue wisdom and innovation by offering interdisciplinary programs
- To resolve new challenges by utilizing cutting-edge technology

Overview
A prestigious research university with an excellent reputation in education and innovation, NCTU has roots that go back to 1896 when its predecessor was established under the name of Nanyang College in Shanghai. After the government of the Republic of China moved to Taiwan, the university was reestablished in Hsinchu in 1958. Today NCTU has evolved into a comprehensive university of eight colleges offering a full spectrum of disciplines spanning science, technology, management, and humanities.
The mission of NCTU is to cultivate the next generation of leaders in Taiwan through diverse and holistic education, to explore new knowledge with state-of-the-art facilities and interdisciplinary research, and finally to take the lead in innovative and progressive research and development in engineering, technology, science, and social sciences.
The university has a strong team of academic and research faculty dedicated to providing a rich and vibrant learning and research environment to our students. Within the eight colleges are 51 academic departments offering 93 degree programs at undergraduate and graduate levels. Student enrolment currently stands at 12,216 with 5,339 undergraduate and 6,877graduate students.
The university serves as the cradle for high-tech industry leaders as well as a think-tank providing innovative ideas and research. Many of our alumni are influential figures in academia, industry and government. In fact approximately 65% of CEOs and general managers in high-tech companies in the Hsinchu Science Park are NCTU alumni.
In addition, NCTU and the four Jiaotong universities in mainland China combined boast the largest alumni network in Asia Pacific. NCTU's close relationship with the four Jiaotong universities opens up more opportunities and resources for its students, faculty members and alumni to seek further substantial cooperation in research and career.

Internationalization
In our drive for internationalization, we are expanding partnerships with prominent academia, industries, and research institutes around the world. To date we have signed more than 90 agreements, including dual degree programs, faculty and student exchange programs, sister universities, and joint research projects.
Cooperation with the Technische Universitat Munchen in German, K.U. Leuven and Interuniversity Micro-Electronic Center (IMEC) in Belgium, the University of Tokyo in Japan, the Carnegie Mellon University, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, North Carolina State University and the University of Maryland in the United States, and many other prestigious institutions around the world strengthens the competence of the students and provides the faculty with more opportunity to contribute to the pool of knowledge in the international community.
NCTU regularly welcomes world-renowned scholars as visiting professors and guest speakers and has a diverse student body with international students from over 40 countries. English-taught courses are offered in all eight colleges while Chinese languages courses are available for international students free of charge.
One example of the many internationalization accomplishments is the Chalmers Asia Office, which has been set up at NCTU in 2003 by Chalmers School of Technology in Sweden to assist exchange students. We are constantly seeking new ways to expand exchanges in all areas and welcome opportunities for collaboration.

Strategies: 4C
In face of the transforming mode of education, professors and students are regarded as critical resources for universities. NCTU proposes the 4C Strategies - Converging, Crossing, Cultivating and Competitive - to cultivate school characteristics and become the top university in the world.
- Converging resources - Consolidating resources, organizational restructuring
- Crossing academic - Engaging cross-domain, inter-collegiate, and global cooperation
- Cultivating growth mindset - Fostering an environment for a preeminent academic culture
- Competitive strategy - Competitive compensation package

Holistic Education
Committed to cultivating all-rounded individuals, NCTU encourages students to strike a balance between sciences and the humanities, and between individual ambitions and social responsibility. To provides a solid learning base for our students, NCTU has designed an undergraduate program that is well-rounded in not only the academic regions of humanities, art, language, quantitative reasoning, communication, basic science, and economics, but also personal traits such as leadership, global consciousness, passion, and compassion. Students also gain insights into the subtle relations between scientific technologies and various facets of contemporary culture and society through the wide-ranging General Education curriculum.

Research Centers
To further promote innovation and ground-breaking research, NCTU has established six research centers on campus.
-Center for Biomedical and Biological Engineering
-Center for Green Energy Technology
-Center for Interdisciplinary Science
-Information and Communications Research Center
-Nanoelectronics and Infotronic Systems Research Center
-X-Photonics Interdisciplinary Center
In particular, the Center for Biomedical & Biological Engineering plays a leading role in the field. Its main research areas include Bio-energy, Computational Systems Biology, Biomimetic Engineering, Cognitive Neuro-Engineering, and BioNano-Technology. The center recruits notable researchers from Taiwan and abroad and collaborates with renowned institutions around the world, such as Harvard University, University of Chicago, California Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins University, University Leipzig and Max Planck Institute.

Diverse Disciplines
NCTU offers a high-quality comprehensive education. To serve the new needs of global development, NCTU has founded a number of pioneering departments/institutes and colleges, such as the Institute of Technology Law, the College of Biological Science and Technology, the College of Hakka Studies, and the College of Photonics (commencing in 2009).

The colleges offer a full spectrum of disciplines.
The College of Electrical and Computer Engineering is a pioneer in research and its outstanding alumni have significantly contributed to the leading position that Taiwan's IT industry holds in the world. On average, over 360 research projects are carried out each year. In terms of research paper citations, the faculty of this college outperforms its counterparts at all other Taiwanese universities.
The College of Computer Science & Engineering offers the strongest research and educational programs in Taiwan with the largest faculty members (with more than 70 faculties), the most comprehensive curriculum, the most number of SCI papers published, and the closest ties and collaboration with industrial partners in Taiwan as evidenced by the Chinese Institute of Engineers Distinguished Academic-Industry Partnership Award.
The College of Science, in addition to continuously strengthening the research and educational programs in physics, mathematics, and chemistry, puts specific emphasis on interdisciplinary collaborations and trainings. An Interdisciplinary Basic Science Research Center and an Interdisciplinary Science Degree Program were established in 2006, which have attracted several world-renowned research groups and many outstanding students to join the college's unique research and educational environment.
The College of Engineering is widely known for its strength in innovative research and excellent teaching. The college established the Science and Technology of Accelerator Light Source Graduate Program in 2007. It also has a Green Energy Technology Research Center, which focuses on developing energy technology to meet the requirements of environmental protection.
The College of Management was accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate School of Business (AACSB) in 2007, and its MBA program ranks 5th in Asia. The curriculum provides students with the knowledge and skills to become successful professionals and its alumni contribute to efficient and innovative management processes and operations of Taiwan businesses, especially in the high-tech industry.
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences has seven graduate institutes, among which Education, Architecture, Foreign Languages and Literatures, and Social Research and Cultural Studies are among the top-ranking institutes in the nation. It has a dedicated faculty and its students take active participation in international conferences.
The College of Hakka Studies aims to preserve the Hakka language and culture through teaching and research, while promoting mutual understanding and respect among Taiwan's various ethnic groups. The college also facilitates regular field trips for its faculty and students to study at home and abroad. Its programs will be used as the template for future interdisciplinary Hakka Studies.
The College of Biological Science and Technology focuses on educational training and research in the field of fundamental biological science as well as its applications to biotechnology. The faculty conducts leading interdisciplinary research and collaborations with experts in chemical, physical and information sciences, while their expertise also covers bioinformatics and rational drug design, nano-biotechnology, as well as industrial microbiology and green energy.

Interdisciplinary Programs
NCTU has launched an Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Science Program in addition to its renowned Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Undergraduate Honors Program, which is highly regarded and desired by high school students interested in this particular discipline. It has also proposed to establish the following programs for student enrollments: Nano-Science and Engineering Undergraduate Honors Program, Graduate Program for Science and Technology of Synchrotron Light Source and Master's Program of Sound Music Innovative Technologies (SMIT). Furthermore, the university spares no effort in creating an international environment for learning: it has launched a series of international programs for foreign students, amongst which are EECS-International program, IMBA-International program and International Graduate Program of Taiwanese Studies. Two other international programs are also proposed for future enrollments: Master's Degree Program of International Industries R&D and Green Energy Technology Research Center.

NCTU's Number Ones in Taiwan
-In Taiwan's University Assessment Scheme supervised by the Ministry of Education, NCTU is ranked as excellent in all eight areas for two consecutive years in:
(i) Administration: Teaching Resources, Internationalization, Extension Education, Community Service, General Education, Administration
(ii)Professional Field: Engineering (including Computer Science), Science, Humanities and Arts, Sports
-NCTU has received the best assessment feedback in Taiwan.
-NCTU ranks 49 in the world in two disciplines (Engineering and Computer), and number 1 in Taiwan (National Taiwan University and National Tsing Hua University rank 77 to 106 in the same poll by NCTU, Shanghai).
-NCTU received high rankings among various academic assessments organized by CommonWealth and Global Views magazines.
-NCTU ranks 21 in the world (ranks 1 in Taiwan) by the Essential Science Indicators (ESI) in 2007.
-Patents have been granted to NCTU than any university in Taiwan and the revenue generated in technology licensing at NCTU ranks 1 in Taiwan.
-A campus that promotes arts and culture:
(i)One of the leading arts centers and performing art theaters for professionals among Taiwan's universities
(ii)The Warner-Brother standard movie theater
(iii)Sixteen panoramic campus scenes, 13 pieces of sculpture by Yuyu Yang
-The most advanced and stylish library in Taiwan:
(i)One of the leading digital catalogues in Asia
(ii)Yuyu Yang Art Research Center, Folk Artist Digital Museum, lobby exhibition space, Chinese-garden interior design and canvas art work installations
-Internationalization has been a key objective in the development of NCTU. Aside from admitting more international students, NCTU also offers more opportunities for students to study abroad under its exchange student programs and dual degree programs
-NCTU nurtures the most distinguished alumni in industries and academic institutes (highest number of IEEE, US National Academy of Engineering, and Academia Sinica fellows in Taiwan; approximately 500 alumni as entrepreneurs with world-wide fame or at CEO level)
-Drawing from our past experiences in elite education, NCTU promises students an outstanding career.
-Signing to join MIT's Open Course Ware (OCW) made NCTU the leading Open Education University in Taiwan as well as the first OCW in Mandarin Chinese. NCTU is also the first in the world to hold certification examinations
-In March 2009, seven colleges and departments, including the College of Electrical Engineering, the Department of Civil Engineering, and the Department of Mechanical Engineering, were certified IEET Engineering Accreditation
-In 2006, the College of Management was certified AACSB International Accreditation

Teaching Excellence - A Sophisticated and Dynamic Culture of Teaching
University education is facing numerous challenges in the 21st century. Not only are we confronted with the tough task of sustaining globalization but we are constantly required to adapt to the rapid changes in knowledge systems and technological research and innovation. As result of the competitive nature of globalization, NCTU has actively upgraded the quality of teaching by endeavoring to create an excellent teaching environment. Our goal is to train talented individuals to become leaders in all walks of life.
Other than promoting academic excellence, the school plans to pursue a global and higher education development trend in order to meet the needs of today's social requirements and education policy. The implementation of the "Teaching Excellence" policy includes the following:
-In 2008, NCTU has hired 16 internationally outstanding scholars to instruct and take part in research projects.
-In order to appeal to and retain talented students, NCTU offers academic research and outstanding teaching award grants; in 2008 more than 40% of our faculty received motivational bonuses.
-From 2006 to 2008, 104 young instructors were hired.
-Furthering our professors' expertise: professors provide office hours for student counseling, new instructors are allotted an academic mentor, and annual staff self-evaluation and 5-year assessments are conducted.
-To aid students in their learning and to provide consultation, the Doctoral Teaching Assistant program was put into practice. The school allocates doctoral TAs to 147 core courses. The Academic Warning System has significantly reduced the number of failing students from 113 in 2007 to 50 in 2008.
-The first Open Course Ware website in Mandarin Chinese: Signing to join MIT's Open Course Ware (OCW) made NCTU the leading Open Education University in Taiwan.
-To further implement NCTU's Multi-Opportunities for School Entrance, NCTU has launched its Pre-University School Program to allow pre-admitted high school students to utilize their two-month vacation for school orientation and to gain a better understanding of various resources at NCTU.
-Promoting flexible interdisciplinary courses and education: The Office of Student Affairs at National Chiao Tung University will launch the "Full Programization of College Courses" program in the Spring semester of 2009. This is intended to categorize all courses in each college to form varied programs. Each program is established to prepare students for industry employment in Taiwan. The fully-structured courses will not only serve as a guiding map for students to suit their interests, but also guides them towards future employment opportunities. Under this system, each NCTU graduate will be equipped with more than one program certificate showing their expertise, paving the way for their bright future.

Summer Internships- Promoting domestic and international internships during the summer
-National Internships: With the benefit of having several top managers (in the Science Park and other high-tech industries) being NCTU alumni, students have an edge over other students in getting internships. Amongst these companies include: TSMC, UMC, AUO, etc.
-International Internship: Diligent exchange students have the opportunity to apply for an internship at foreign enterprises such as Holland Philips.

Establishing a "Center for Teaching and Learning Development" - A Unique Education Environment
To ensure the quality of teaching and to build a cooperative learning environment for both students and faculty members, NCTU has established its Center for Teaching and Learning Development (CTLD) on March 28, 2007.
The center has four goals to pursue:
(1) Student Tutoring
The Center selected 613 distinguished Ph.D. students as teaching assistants (TAs) for the first, second and third year core/required courses in undergraduate programs. They teach recitation and review courses, lead discussion classes, and tutor students during office hours. Lectures and five Internet-based courses were also offered to 451 third-year high school students in the Pre-University Program during the summer. NCTU TAs (numbering 963) received an average of 3.88 points out of 5 in evaluations conducted by students, while 44% of them received an average score of or above 4.0 points. 50 students were honored with the TA Award in 2008.
(2) Quality Teaching
To launch course evaluations for all faculty members; offer training and incentives for new arrivals; organize workshops on teaching to foster more dedicated teachers. The Center also boasts complete digitalization of course syllabi on the Internet.
(3) Curricula and Courseware R&D
To enhance the in-depth study of compulsory courses while decreasing the total number of compulsory courses in the BA program, the Center has launched programs on Basic Science and Liberal Education as well as core courses for the Colleges of Electronic Engineering, Computer Science and Management.
(4) Evaluation and Feedbacks
To assist all departments and institutes in preparing for the evaluations commanded by the Division of Higher Education (MOE) or IEET, the College of Management has already passed evaluation and is certified by the AACSB.
(5) Academic Warning System and Graduation Questionnaire
The Center assists departments with its Academic Warning Systems for students with academic difficulties and also advises graduating students of their credit accrual. In the Graduation Questionnaire implemented in 2007, an overwhelming majority of the 2625 graduating students gave positive feedbacks to the listed inquiries, among which the proposition of "My NCTU diploma is useful for future career planning" received a high score of 4.3 out of 5.

Advancements of Liberal Education
NCTU plans to restructure the University's Liberal Education by implementing core programs, redesigning its curricula and strengthening supports from the Departments/Institutes. Students will follow three phases (basic, advanced and seminars) to plan their learning. Five disciplines are entrenched for Liberal Education: "Cultural Classics and Aesthetics," "History, World Civilization and Globalization," "Civil Society and Economics," "Morality, Rationality and Social Interactions" and "Science and Logic."

Improvements in Science Education
By integrating existing resources on the campus, NCTU plans to conceive and develop a creative learning environment as well as inspire pedagogy in science education. It proposes to establish the Center for Science Education to promote forward-looking programs and collaboration with other schools to share regional resources.

Impeccable English Learning Environment
The Language Research and Teaching Center aims at hiring competent, native English-speaking instructors to offer small group language tutoring. It also aims at implementing a graduation requirement for students' English competence and providing graduate students with consultation on editing/writing their theses as well as training English writing in different disciplines. An "English Self-study Center" has been established to coincide with a series of full-fledged language learning initiatives, such as "English Corner," English Club, and English Speech/Drama Contest Competitions to improve students' overall command of the English language.