To assist high school students based in central Taiwan prepare for critical changes to Taiwan’s educational system, including a new system for college entrance examinations that will be introduced in 2022 and the new national curriculum adopted in 2019, the National Chi Nan University officially launched the Cherry Blossom Alliance (櫻花聯盟) this spring.

The Cherry Blossom Alliance comprises 12 high schools from four cities and counties — Taichung, Changhua, Nantou, and Yunlin. The alliance is rallying high school teachers to join forces and guide up to 20,000 students in preparing for entrance exams. From reviewing important materials to designing new courses, this collective endeavor aims to smoothen the academic journey for students and put their parents’ minds at ease.

NCNU has identified one crucial difference in the new examination-and-referral system that will be adopted nationwide in 2022 — a “profile” documenting each student’s academic journey that informs 50% of the admission decision. This student bio contains one’s personal background, a list of completed courses, exemplary academic achievements, and extracurricular activities, the latter two of which will have to be curated and submitted by one’s self. Altogether, these four categories of information provide an opportunity for students to highlight their personal characteristics and make a strong case for university acceptance.

Of the 12 schools that have joined the alliance, the first 8 signed their MOUs with NCNU last year, while the latter 4 have just joined the cause. These partner institutions are:

1. Taichung Municipal Taichung Girls' Senior High School (臺中市立臺中女中)

2. Taichung Municipal Wen-Hua Senior High School (臺中市文華高中)

3. The Affiliated Senior High School of National Chung Hsing University (國立中興大學附屬高級中學)

4. National Chung-Hsing Senior High School (國立中興高級中學)

5. National Hsi-Hu Senior High School (國立溪湖高級中學)

6. Taichung Municipal Dongshan Senior High School (臺中市立東山高級中學)

7. Taichung Municipal Chungming Senior High School (臺中市立忠明高級中學)

8. The Affiliated Senior High School of National Chi-Nan University (暨大附中)

9. Taichung Municipal Hui-Wen High School (臺中市立惠文高級中學)

10. National Hu-wei Senior High School (國立虎尾高級中學)

11. National Experimental High School at Central Taiwan Science Park (國立中科實驗高級中學)

12. Taichung Municipal Taichung Second Senior High School (臺中市立臺中二中)

In honor of the university’s cherry blossoms that have attracted many visitors from afar, NCNU President Dr. Dong-sing Wuu (武東星) formally declared the formation of the “12 + 1 Cherry Blossom Alliance” as the flowers reach their full bloom in spring. In the title, “12” stands for the number of participating high schools from the Taichung, Changhua, Nantou, and Yunlin areas, and “1” refers to NCNU, which will channel the university’s resources and instructional knowledge into helping these schools prepare for the upcoming structural changes to Taiwan’s education system. An estimated 20,000 students are expected to benefit.

Utilizing the collective experience of NCNU’s professors and staff, assistance will be rendered threefold: curriculum design, instructional approach, and academic advancement. For example, the academic advancement portion will include guiding students through the process of creating their application profiles. Using NCNU’s intimate knowledge of what application reviewers look for in candidates, this program will identify the most effective methods, techniques, and goals conductive to crafting student bios.

In terms of curricular and instructional support, NCNU’s Center for Teaching and Learning Development has announced its intent to launch “micro courses” at participating high schools to help students understand how these structural changes to the educational system will affect them. These courses will be developed in conjunction with the curricular board members of partner schools. Dr. Wuu’s vision is to benefit not just the students but their teachers as well, hence the program will also develop seminars, symposiums, and networks to help high school teachers meet new demands and challenges.

Quoting French philosopher and moralist Jean de La Bruyère, on how “the most exquisite pleasure is giving pleasure to others,” Dr. Wuu explained that the value and worth of NCNU is dependent on its ability to assist others. Personal growth through helping those around us, he said at his inaugural reception as the 8th university president on Feb. 2, is the key to happiness. He promised to work towards elevating the happiness levels of fellow NCNU members and designing “a university of happiness, a university that brings happiness.”

The inaugural reception was preceded by an appointment ceremony led by Minister of Education Pan Wen-chung (潘文忠), who paid tribute to the years of hard work carried out by the 7th President Dr. Yuhlong Oliver Su (蘇玉龍) and voiced his deep confidence in the capabilities of incoming 8th President Dr. Wuu. Steered by the four tenets of consolidation, localization, industrialization, and internationalization, the new president hopes to devote his next four years to bolstering the modernity and happiness of both NCNU and its surrounding communities and industries. Only then, said Dr. Wuu, will his vision of “a refined and inimitable academic institution of global caliber” come to fruition.

Dr. Wuu concluded his remarks by illustrating how “Happiness x NCNU” stands for promoting the wellbeing of all NCNU members, students and staff included, and that of all connecting communities. This wave of achieving fulfillment through servicing others can then ripple outward throughout Nantou County, central Taiwan, nationwide, and eventually make international impact. For the real spirit of “Happiness x NCNU” is to be recognized as a university that promotes the common good.

Created Date

Mon, 03/01/2021 - 21:54

Image

WebLink