News--Welcome to National Chiayi University

　　National Chiayi University is the only comprehensive university in Taiwan offering programs in four categories, preparing teachers for junior high schools, elementary schools, special education and kindergartens. Since 2019, NCYU has been conducting teacher education evaluation in various subjects for the new cycle. Over the past three years, they have been engaged in planning, institutionalization of committees, self-evaluation and on-site evaluation. Supervision and evaluation of mechanisms and measures for NCYU’s teacher training has been carried out by committees at different levels. The evaluations of NCYU’s teacher training programs were sent to the Higher Education Evaluation and Accreditation Council of Taiwan (HEEACT) for review. According to results announced recently, all the four categories of NCYU’s training programs were “accredited” by HEEACT.

　　In the academic year 2022-2023, there are 1,328 teacher education students at NCYU, with the passing rate of various teacher qualification examinations exceeding national average by nearly 15% each year. The number of government-sponsored teacher education students designated for NCYU by the Ministry of Education (MOE) accounts for 10% of that of the country. The university has won the Excellent School Award for three years in a row, with a total of 41 students across domains awarded teacher education scholarships. The award-winning students receive a monthly scholarship of NT$8,000 from the MOE over the course of one year. In the academic year 2022-2023, 62 graduates obtained official teaching positions, and 130 alumni attained their second teacher certificates. While successfully transforming into a comprehensive university, NCYU not only maintains the characteristics and quality of a teacher training institute, but continues to bring better teacher education.

　　According to Teachers College Dean Ming-Chung Chen, during the 3.5-year preparation period for the evaluation, the Teacher Education Center is dedicated to ensuring quality, discovering and solving problems, and guiding the teacher training departments to develop their own characteristics. Shan-Hua Chen, Director of the Teacher Education Center, mentioned that the evaluation mechanism was strictly followed during the self-evaluation process. When reviewing evaluation indicators step by step, they were able to reflect upon how to improve teacher training. The evaluation process allows them to examine their educational performance, optimize various teacher training practices, and thus achieve excellence in teacher education. In the days to come, the center will continue to adhere to NCYU’s motto, “Sincerity, Action, Innovation and Service,” and establish a new model of excellence in teacher training, and fulfill its social responsibility of cultivating outstanding teachers.