• 2024-10-06

On July 18th, the National Central Library, in collaboration with the IGER Project and Dayeh University, hosted the Broad Vision in General Education lecture and book launch event in NCL’s briefing room. The IGER (Improvement of General Education in Universities) project, supported by the Ministry of Education, focuses on the development of university general education in Taiwan in the 21^st century. Dr. Tsai-Yen Li, President of National Chengchi University and the lead coordinator of the IGER project, stated that the publication of the Broad Vision in General Education series marks a significant milestone in the development of general education in Taiwan. He emphasized that the series is not only a comprehensive reflection of the achievements in Taiwan’s general education but also an important contribution to the body of literature on general education in Taiwan. It will serve as a valuable reference for both domestic and international academic communities and become a key platform for knowledge exchange in the field of general education.

Broad Vision in General Education compiles the achievements and developments of general education in Taiwan over the years, while also promoting the exchange and integration of interdisciplinary knowledge. Edited by Professor Linda Sung from Dayeh University, the work is divided into four volumes based on the types of universities. It covers the general education outcomes of 37 universities, including national research universities, national universities, private universities, and universities of science and technology. The book presents the development history, philosophies, current status, distinctive achievements, and transformative essence of general education in these institutions. It provides invaluable reference material for the academic community and fosters collaborative learning and mutual growth in the field of general education.

On the day of the event, in addition to the hosts—NCL Director-General Han-ching Wang and President Wen-chang Fang of Dayeh University—several distinguished guests were present, including Examination Yuan Minister Jong-Tsun Huang and former Minister of Education Wei-ling Chiang, who witnessed Taiwan's general education reach a new milestone. Minister Huang emphasized the importance of character development before professional expertise, underscoring the transformative power of general education in shaping well-rounded individuals. Former Minister Chiang expressed the view that a good university must have strong general education, noting that in today’s higher education landscape, where universities aim to cultivate talent with diverse intelligences, general education plays an especially crucial role. NCL Director-General Wang extended her gratitude to the universities for their long-term efforts in advancing general education and for promoting innovation in Taiwan's general education system.

The event was comprised of three lectures, where multiple speakers shared their insights on general education, emphasizing its importance in fostering holistic education and developing professional competencies. The event concluded successfully with a lively and engaging dialogue between the speakers and respondents, offering valuable exchanges of ideas and perspectives.