Second Phase Higher Education Sprout Project | Higher Education Sprout Project

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Second Phase Higher Education Sprout Project

Under the Second Phase of STUST’s Higher Education Sprout Project, Institutional improvement. In this stage, STUST set clear strategic goals, leveraging AI-driven transformation and robust industry–academia collaboration to establish itself as a highly influential flagship brand. These efforts have earned multiple national recognitions.

In the 2026 Cheers Magazine survey of “Most Favored University Graduates by Employers,” STUST ranked No. 1 among private universities of science and technology nationwide.
In the 104 Job Bank University Brand Power rankings, STUST placed 7th nationwide in Industry–Academia Strength and 8th in Internationalization. STUST also received both the Regional Leadership Award and the Benchmark Award for Academic System, making it the top-performing private university of science and technology in southern Taiwan across multiple categories.

The outcomes of the 2025 Academic Year Plan have been published on the university’s Higher Education Sprout Project website. Key highlights across four dimensions are summarized below.

I. Advancing Teaching Innovation

1.Teaching Practice and Quality Enhancement

In 2025, 22 Teaching Practice Research Projects were approved. Three faculty members also received Outstanding Project Awards for their 2024 (ROC Year 113) projects, underscoring excellence in teaching innovation and evidence-based pedagogy.

2.Interdisciplinary Learning and Certification Enhancement

STUST introduced Incentive Guidelines for Interdisciplinary Learning to encourage students to pursue a second specialization. Enrollment and completion rates continue to rise. Enhanced incentives for Level B technical certifications and government-issued credentials have further motivated students to pursue advanced qualifications. In 2025, students earned 290 certifications, including Level B technician licenses, iPAS certifications, and central government credentials—demonstrating clear progress.

3.AI Talent Development and Curriculum Integration

Focusing on Smart Healthcare and Smart Hospitality, STUST expanded interdisciplinary course clusters to establish a systematic AI talent development framework. This initiative is supported by the Ministry of Education’s “Smart Rainforest Industry Talent Development Program,” strengthening the integration of teaching and industry.

4. International Collaborative Learning and Global Engagement

Building on the Taiwan–Japan–Philippines trilateral collaborative learning program, STUST extended the i-PBL (International Project-Based Learning) model to the College of Digital Design. Seven students joined a 15-day international digital design program at Nanyang Polytechnic in Singapore. STUST students also competed in the International Game Concept Challenge 2025 (IGCC2025), where they won both the Silver and Bronze Awards, showcasing strong international collaboration and applied innovation.

II. Fulfilling Social Responsibility (USR)
1. Institutional Performance and Policy Support

STUST secured funding for five University Social Responsibility (USR) projects under the Ministry of Education’s Fourth Phase Program (2025–2027), ranking first among all public and private universities of science and technology nationwide.

2. Flagship Project and Educational Innovation

The flagship project, Carbon Sequestration and Sustainable Fisheries: A Cross-disciplinary Net-Zero Action Plan Integrating Green Energy Innovation and Digital Twin Technologies in a Historic Coastal Community, developed a credit-based program on Green Energy Innovation and Energy Conservation Practices. This program won the Outstanding Award in the “Sustainable Curriculum” category at the 6th USR Awards organized by Global Views Monthly.

3. Student Innovation and Entrepreneurial Outcomes

Students formed the startup team Origin Power, which achieved notable success:

Awarded NTD 100,000 from the Ministry of Education’s Entrepreneurial Practice Simulation Platform
Secured a cumulative NTD 1.25 million from Phase I and Phase II of the U-start Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program (2025)
Received an additional NTD 300,000 Creative Scholarship from the CTCI Foundation

4. Social Inclusion and Cultural Impact

Another USR team, Crossing Rhythms: Co-creating Inclusive Arts from South to West, promotes social inclusion through music and cultural arts. The team earned the Model Award in “Local Co-creation and Inclusion” at the 6th USR Awards and the Bronze Award at the 2025 Taiwan Sustainability Action Awards.

III. Enhancing Industry–Academia Collaboration

1. Integrated Innovation Platform

STUST has built a comprehensive innovation ecosystem comprising five university-level research centers, ten college-level R&D centers, and four mission-oriented industry–academia co-creation hubs. These centers integrate teaching, research, and industry resources while embedding project-based learning into the curriculum.

The Smart Green Energy Technology Center was certified as a national examination site for Level B technician licenses in Power Electronics and Solar Energy. Students guided by the center won 1st Place in the Green Energy and Control Category and 3rd Place in the Microchip Application Category in a Ministry of Education–sponsored Digital Signal Processing Competition.

The Smart Manufacturing Technology Center became the first officially certified TM Robot testing center in Southern Taiwan, accredited as an official certification site for TM Robot collaborative robotic arms.

2. Research and Talent Development

By integrating teaching, R&D, and industry resources, STUST cultivate professionals with practical skills and forward-looking visions. This demonstrates the depth and breadth of vocational education. The outstanding achievements in 2025 includes：

Six “Smart Rainforest Industry Innovation Projects,” were secured, the highest number nationwide.
Smart Microgrid Industry Talent and Technology Development Base was established integrating green energy, energy storage, and EV charging systems.
AI-enabled Smart Food Production Management Talent Development project was secured to enhance practical training facilities.

3. Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Under the U-start Program, the startup team Origin Power successfully established Lingbo Co., Ltd. Another team, Warring Bugs, won NTD 400,000 in the 20th National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition (Chiayi Youth Startup Program).

4. International Collaboration

STUST partnered with Dongkang College in Korea to launch a cross-border initiative in Smart Healthcare and Sports Technology, jointly developing an international AI education and R&D platform to boost global competitiveness.

IV. Promoting Public Access to Higher Education

1. Inclusive Learning Support System

STUST has implemented a comprehensive student support system guided by the principle of “learning instead of part-time work.” This enables economically disadvantaged students to strengthen their competitiveness through learning, supported by language development, project-based subsidies, and hands-on courses.

2. Participation and Measurable Impact
In 2025, 9,599 student participations were recorded across academic support programs. IR analysis confirmed their effectiveness: the graduation retention rate for students admitted in 2021 who received support reached 89.4%, significantly higher than the 75.7% rate for unsupported students.

3. Targeted Support for Diverse Student Groups

STUST provides tailored support for students with special educational needs, culturally disadvantaged backgrounds, academic risk, and student-athletes. These initiatives ensure all students can build a solid academic foundation and achieve steady progress.

Executive Summary – STUST Higher Education Sprout Project (2025–2026)
Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology (STUST) has advanced its Second Phase Higher Education Sprout Project by integrating Institutional Research (IR) insights, driving AI-enabled transformation, and strengthening industry–academia collaboration. These efforts have positioned STUST as a flagship private university of science and technology in Taiwan, earning top national recognitions including:

No. 1 ranking among private universities in Cheers Magazine’s 2026 “Most Favored Graduates by Employers” survey.

Top 10 nationwide in Industry–Academia Strength and Internationalization in 104 Job Bank’s University Brand Power rankings.

Regional Leadership Award and Benchmark Award for Academic System affirmed STUST’s leadership in southern Taiwan.

Key Achievements

Teaching Innovation

22 Teaching Practice Research Projects were approved; 3 faculty received Outstanding Project Awards.
290 certifications were earned by students, supported by new interdisciplinary learning incentives.
AI talent development expanded in Smart Healthcare and Smart Hospitality, backed by MOE’s Smart Rainforest Program.
International engagement strengthened through i-PBL programs and student success at IGCC2025 (Silver & Bronze Awards).

University Social Responsibility (USR)

Secured funding for 5 USR projects, ranking first nationwide.

Flagship project on carbon sequestration and sustainable fisheries won the Outstanding Award for Sustainable Curriculum.

Student startup Origin Power raised over NTD 1.65 million in funding and scholarships.

Cultural inclusion project Crossing Rhythms won national and sustainability awards.

Industry–Academia Collaboration

Established a robust innovation ecosystem with 19 research centers and 4 co-creation hubs.

Smart Green Energy and Smart Manufacturing centers certified as national and regional testing sites.

Secured 6 Smart Rainforest Industry Innovation Projects, the highest number nationwide.

Successful startups (Origin Power, Warring Bugs) achieved national recognition and funding.

International collaboration launched with Dongkang College (Korea) in Smart Healthcare and Sports Technology.

Public Access to Higher Education

Comprehensive support system implemented under the principle of “learning instead of part-time work.”

9,599 student participations recorded in 2025; supported students achieved an 89.4% retention rate vs. 75.7% for unsupported peers.

Tailored learning support provided for disadvantaged students, academically underprepared students, and student athletes with outstanding performance.

Conclusion

Through strategic innovation in teaching, social responsibility, industry collaboration, and inclusive education, STUST has solidified its reputation as Taiwan’s leading private university of science and technology. The institution’s achievements demonstrate measurable impact on student success, community engagement, and global competitiveness.