2025-09-04
College of Education Visits Singapore to Strengthen Academic Ties
From August 24 to 27, the College of Education organized a delegation to Singapore, led by Associate Dean Joy Hu and Professor Angela Hou, visiting the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), its affiliated National Institute of Education (NIE) and the Sustainability Learning Lab (SLL). The purpose of the visit was to exchange insights on curriculum design, faculty development, and student support systems, while exploring opportunities for future collaboration.
The delegation first visited SUSS’s Master of Education program, hosted by Deputy Director Prof. Ho Yan Yin, Program Head Prof. Lin Feng, Prof. Jennifer Yeo, and Prof. Yao Shih Ying—an outstanding alumna of NCCU’s Department of Education. The program, currently in its inaugural intake, offers a one-year, non-thesis pathway with strong emphasis on adult and mixed-age learning. Its flexible and practice-oriented design provides valuable references for NCCU’s future initiatives in continuing education at the Qinpu Campus.
SUSS also prioritizes teacher support by systematically analyzing student feedback to provide meaningful input for instructional improvement. For students who struggle with basic learning strategies such as note-taking and time management, one-on-one coaching is provided to ensure no one is left behind. In the afternoon, the delegation met Prof. Timothy Sim, Director of the Master of Counselling program. With extensive research experience, Prof. Sim not only supports faculty in conducting practice-based research but also offered practical advice for strengthening academic output—an area of importance for NCCU’s counselling program. He also provided valuable suggestions for the establishment of NCCU’s forthcoming counselling center.
On the following day, the delegation visited NTU’s Office of the Provost, meeting with Vice Provosts Prof. Neil Murphy and Prof. May Oo Lwin. NTU’s leadership training program for faculty administrators, in place for over a decade, ensures that only trained faculty assume leadership roles, thereby enhancing administrative professionalism and collegial collaboration. This system, coupled with NTU’s atmosphere of respect and investment in faculty, has contributed to its high faculty retention rates.
The delegation then visited NIE, where the Department of Psychology and Child & Human Development (PCHD) presented NTU’s Tiered System of Care and Support, highlighting its systematic approach to professional training and counseling education. The Department also warmly invited us to organize a delegation for a short-term study tour in February next year.
Later, Professor Yang Peidong from the Humanities and Social Studies Education (HSSE) gave us an introduction of the department. HSSE adopts an interdisciplinary approach to teacher education, integrating subjects such as history, geography, and sociology. Its programs emphasize critical thinking, multicultural understanding, and civic literacy, underscoring Singapore’s commitment to linking academic expertise with broader educational missions. This approach provides meaningful insights for the College in strengthening interdisciplinary education and curriculum development.
Finally, the delegation visited the Sustainability Learning Lab (SLL), a center dedicated to cultivating students’ awareness of sustainability. Director Dr. Tricia Seow integrates sustainability into education through curriculum modules, educational board games, and community-based workshops. By encouraging students to connect with nature and local communities, SLL aims to cultivate awareness and inspire meaningful action toward sustainability.
This visit not only deepened NCCU’s understanding of Singapore’s higher education landscape but also laid a foundation for future cooperation. Possible collaborations discussed include co-hosting academic conferences and short-term student exchanges. The College looks forward to building stronger international partnerships and enhancing its capacity in both research and educational practice. The visit also highlighted that many of the challenges faced by Taiwan’s higher education institutions are shared globally. These include adapting to the rise of AI in teaching and research, embedding sustainability in education, and supporting student integration in multicultural contexts. As a young, multi-ethnic nation, Singapore has demonstrated flexibility and cultural sensitivity in its policy design and educational practices, offering valuable lessons and reference points for NCCU’s future development.
