繁 In response to the growing trend of interdisciplinarity in higher education and rapid industrial transformation, Yuan Ze University announced the implementation of the “University Bachelor System.” Through institutional innovation, the University established a more flexible learning framework designed to enhance students’ self‑directed learning and interdisciplinary integration capabilities, while shaping a talent cultivation model distinctive to Yuan Ze University.
Chien‑Hsing Hsieh, Dean of the Office of Academic Affairs, Yuan Ze University, explained that the University Bachelor's degree required a total of 128 credits, of which up to 40 credits were allocated to free electives, providing substantial flexibility. Students were able to design their study plans by combining interdisciplinary programs and domain‑focused programs, allowing them to identify learning pathways that best balanced interest exploration and professional specialization. Within the free elective credits, students were required to complete at least 10 credits in a single core domain and a minimum of 20 credits within interdisciplinary and domain‑focused programs in the same field. Upon completion, the designated “domain specialization,” such as Artificial Intelligence or Sustainable Development, could be formally recorded on the degree certificate, enhancing the visibility of learning outcomes and strengthening career competitiveness.
Beginning in the 2026 academic year, the curriculum structure also incorporated 15 to 25 credits of self‑directed learning, internships, capstone projects, or overseas study programs, further reinforcing students’ practical application skills and international engagement.
In curriculum planning, the University identified four core focus areas. The first was Artificial Intelligence, integrating courses from information technology, electrical engineering, and management to cultivate AI application skills and interdisciplinary innovation thinking. The second focus was Semiconductors, emphasizing chip design, manufacturing processes, and packaging technologies while deepening collaboration with the industry supply chain. The third area, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, combined management, design, and engineering courses with entrepreneurial simulations to foster innovation and hands‑on capabilities. The fourth focus was Sustainable Development, incorporating ESG and SDGs concepts to strengthen environmental sustainability awareness and social engagement.
Dean Hsieh noted that the University Bachelor System did not involve a radical overhaul of existing curricula. Instead, it was built upon Yuan Ze University’s well‑established academic foundation and enhanced through interdisciplinary integration and restructured academic pathways. Through university‑level coordination of cross‑college resources, the system enabled students to achieve a balance between disciplinary depth and interdisciplinary breadth, fully realizing a student‑centered, self‑directed learning philosophy.
In addition, starting from the 2026 academic year, newly admitted undergraduate students were required to complete at least one interdisciplinary program, micro‑program, minor, or double major in order to graduate. The University emphasized that by institutionalizing interdisciplinary learning as a requirement rather than an option, students would be ensured the ability to integrate knowledge across multiple domains alongside their major specialization. To further strengthen foundational AI competencies, the University also announced that “AI Programming Language” would be designated as a mandatory course for all first‑year students, making artificial intelligence a shared core competency across the student body.
Yuan Ze University stated that the core spirit of the University Bachelor System lies in enabling students to achieve both professional depth and interdisciplinary breadth. Moving forward, the University would continue to optimize the system through a data‑driven approach based on institutional research, while focusing on four strategic pillars—Artificial Intelligence, Semiconductors, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and Sustainable Development—to cultivate talents equipped with global perspectives and strong integrative capabilities.
