The National Taiwan University (NTU) won the 2025 Times Higher Education Award for Outstanding Support for Students, the category that Studiosity supports globally, in recognition of their innovative Illuminating, Navigating, and Transforming (INT) system. I had the pleasure of interviewing Professor Hung-Jen Wang, the Vice President for Academic Affairs at NTU, who shed light on the inception, impact, and future aspirations of this groundbreaking initiative.
NTU being presented with the Times Higher Education Award for Outstanding Support for Students
"We are very excited to receive the award for Outstanding Student Support. So it means a lot to us, meaning that our efforts, what we did in Taiwan is recognised in the international community."
The INT system emerged from their 'Future NTU' initiative, launched in 2019 to prepare students for a rapidly changing world, often described as VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous). This initiative focuses on two key directions: fostering self-directed learning and breaking down traditional boundaries between disciplines, classrooms, and industries.
A survey of freshmen in 2019 revealed that approximately 40% were still exploring their interests and required broader support to find their academic and career paths, reinforcing the need for structured guidance and flexibility. The 'Illuminating' component of the INT system addressed this need by establishing Taiwan's first academic advising office. This office helps students understand their current standing, clarify goals, and connect with relevant resources.
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To facilitate exploration, NTU also developed over 280 specialisation programmes. These short, theme-based modules, covering subjects like cybersecurity and robotics, allow students to quickly gain focused knowledge across various disciplines using their elective credits efficiently. The 'Transforming' aspect allows students to design their own degrees by combining multiple specialisation programmes, this flexibility empowering students to build their own personal knowledge paths.
The reception of the INT project has been overwhelmingly positive. Last year, over 30% of NTU students participated in at least one specialisation programme. Notably, the number of students formally applying for double majors or major switches has significantly decreased, indicating that students can now pursue their passions without bureaucratic hurdles. This eliminates anxiety and competition for limited transfer positions.
"That means that students can now learn the knowledge or the fields that they are passionate about without formally applying for change of the major."
The success of the INT system is also evidenced by its adoption by at least ten other universities in Taiwan, duplicating NTU's model. I went on to summarise the program as "very student-centred, meets the interests of needs of students by being flexible and actually removes bureaucratic duplication."
When I asked him about the current challenges faced by students in Taiwan, Professor Wang expressed his concern about their anxiety for the future, particularly regarding job opportunities in a rapidly changing landscape, exacerbated by the rise of AI.
NTU is tackling this by inviting industry leaders to campus to share their experiences and connect with students, breaking down barriers between academia and industry. The university also emphasises cultivating self-learning abilities, recognising that a four-year degree alone will not suffice for a lifelong career. Prof Wang acknowledged that AI's impact on education is "a million dollar question" with no definitive solution yet.
While some faculty express pessimism about the future of universities given AI's ability to transfer knowledge, Professor Wang talked about the ongoing exploration and adaptation to this paradigm shift.
Finally, I asked one of my favourite questions: what was Prof Wang's "magic wand wish" for NTU's student experience? He outlined a desire to instil in students an excitement and hope for the future, noting a shift from his own generation's eagerness to graduate. He believes the university can play a role in not only providing better education to prepare them for the future, but acting as life mentors to inspire confidence.
