NCHU Open House Department Expo Bustles with Energy: 61 Booths Showcase Diverse Academic and Extracurricular Highlights

As the university admissions process enters its second phase, National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) hosted its first-ever Open House Department Expo on April 19 to help high school students better understand the characteristics of its various departments. The event featured 61 booths representing 39 departments and colleges and 20 student clubs, with guided tours highlighting each department's unique teaching and research strengths as well as the university’s vibrant student life.

NCHU also arranged seven specially curated Open House tour routes, granting rare access to laboratories that usually require appointments. These included the Natural History Museum of the College of Life Sciences, as well as labs and facilities from the College of Liberal Arts, Department of Civil Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Department of Plant Pathology, Department of Entomology, and the Department of Veterinary Medicine—providing a rare opportunity for in-depth exploration.

President Fuh-Jyh Jan emphasized that NCHU comprises 12 colleges spanning disciplines from the humanities and social sciences to agriculture, biotechnology, science, engineering, life sciences, and veterinary medicine. He noted that since taking office, he has actively encouraged interdisciplinary learning. On the policy front, the university has simplified procedures and relaxed restrictions on double majors and overlapping course credits. NCHU has also introduced a new "Micro-Credential Program" in specialized fields and is currently planning a university-wide bachelor’s degree track to offer students more flexible and diverse pathways to explore their interests.

The seven Open House tour routes attracted many high school students and their parents. Highlights included the Natural History Museum, which houses a number of rare specimens such as a 200-million-year-old dinosaur embryo fossil, a four-meter crocodile skin, Taiwan’s second-largest giant squid specimen, the trunk of Malan, the Asian elephant, a giant tortoise, and a specimen of the world’s largest arthropod—the Japanese spider crab.

The Department of Plant Pathology opened its teaching lab, giving students hands-on experience with the four major plant pathogens—fungi, bacteria, nematodes, and viruses—through specimen displays and pathogen isolation and identification activities. The Department of Environmental Engineering showcased its water, soil, and groundwater labs, explaining pollutant detection and prevention technologies. The Department of Entomology welcomed visitors to its insect education exhibit and specimen room. The Department of Civil Engineering opened its fluid mechanics lab, while the College of Liberal Arts presented student works in the Humanities Building. The Department of Veterinary Medicine introduced its canine bionic training model, a rare teaching tool among Taiwan’s universities.

The expo also featured four themed lectures. Dean of Academic Affairs Yu-Fang Chang gave an overview of NCHU’s admissions pathways, research achievements, teaching resources, and campus environment. In addition, three outstanding NCHU students shared their experiences with topics such as navigating university life, tips for writing learning portfolios, and applying through the individual application process, offering practical advice for prospective students.