Educational Philosophy
Help students improve themselves through self-education, or the “Education of Enlightenment” as advocated by our founder, the Ven. Hiu Wan. This involves self-awakening, self-development and human-oriented education based on Chinese ethics and Buddhist compassion. Our objectives are to cultivate the students’ academic competency as well as the integrity of their personality, to help them achieve wisdom and compassion and to ultimately benefit mankind as a whole. Only by integration of Hua (Chinese culture) and Fan (Buddhism) in our education can this goal be reached.
Programs
The University comprises three colleges offering bachelor, master and doctoral programs in 12 fields of studies, which include:
College of Engineering: Mechatronic Engineering (bachelor, master, & doctoral programs), Electronic Engineering (bachelor & master programs), Industrial Engineering and Management Information (bachelor & master programs), and Information Management (bachelor & master programs).
College of Liberal Arts: Chinese Literature (bachelor & master programs), Foreign Languages and Literature (bachelor & master programs), Philosophy (bachelor & master programs), and Asian Humanities (master and doctoral programs).
College of Arts and Design: Architecture (bachelor & master programs), Industrial Design (bachelor & master programs), Fine Arts (bachelor & master programs), and Environmental and Hazards-Resistant Design (bachelor & master programs).
Educational Characteristics
Huafan is highly acclaimed in research, teaching, and social services in the following seven areas:
1. Integration of humanities and technology and equal emphasis on compassion and wisdom: The Education of Enlightenment in Huafan combines teaching strategies from Confucianism and Buddhism to help students develop wisdom and compassion as well as excellence in academic trainings within the framework of traditional Chinese culture and modern technology.
2. Education of nature: Surrounded by the beautiful natural resources of Ta Lun Mountain, the students of Huafan are blessed with serenity and learning at the same time. Being far away from the hustle and bustle of city life, students can immerse themselves in learning in a quiet and peaceful forest-like environment, and professors can devote themselves to research and education. The university has designed and set up twelve special natural classrooms, such as the Asoka Pillar, the Water Source, the Bell Pavilion, the Three Friends Trail, the Baizhang Hut, the Cow-herding Field, the Garden Tea House, and the Huafan Farm. Each natural classroom, open to the sky and surrounded by green mountains, beautiful flowers, and wild birds, makes daily learning an enjoyment.
3. Equal emphasis on theory and practice and a balance between research and teaching: Each teaching unit has specific fields of studies with focus on both theory and practice. While many courses are conducted in small classes, the tutorial system brings the teacher closer to the students. Students who have the chance to study under the direction of professors individually not only enrich their knowledge but are also given the opportunity to explore their professors’ fields of studies.
4. Excellent teaching faculty and resources: The average teaching faculty is young, energetic and resourceful. More than seventy percent of them hold doctoral degrees and all of them are devoted to teaching and research. The design of the curricula requires students to focus on their majors, but at the same time they are required to broaden their knowledge in other areas of studies. To build up a more positive attitude of learning is necessary for a successful and enriching life to all students.
5. Environmental protection: Areas of environmental protection controls have been set up on campus. The facilities include an incinerator, a water purification unit, a used-water recycling system and a waste food processing unit. These exemplary practices have won us not only grants and awards from the Ministry of Education, but also recognitions from other universities around Taiwan. We strongly believe that our investment in environmental protection is the best way to help our students learn how to respect nature and other beings.
6. Establishment of featured research centers: Five research centers have been set up in August 2006 to fully represent the research dynamics of the university. They include the Advanced Manufacturing Research Center, Center for Ven. Hiu Wan Studies, Sustainable Development Research Center of Slope Land, Calligraphy Research Center, and Cultural Heritage Research Center.
7. Excellence in Education: In the 2004 evaluation of universities in Taiwan by the Ministry of Education, Huafan was rated “excellent” in engineering, arts and humanities in terms of quality of faculty, research and teaching. In 2005, the Center for Teacher Education ranked in the first place by the Ministry, for Huafan’s dedication to cultivating future teachers for high schools. In 2006, Huafan has awarded a fifty-five-million-dollar grant from the Ministry’s Project for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, because of the University’s outstanding accomplishments in teaching, research and devotion to education.
Future Prospects
We believe small is beautiful. Now there are about four thousand students in Huafan. Based on what we have achieved and planned, we will continue to grow not in quantity but in quality. The student number will be limited to five thousand and with grants and awards from the Ministry of Education, we are in a better position to improve our educational facilities, coursework, teaching and research quality, and exchanges with other academic institutes home or abroad.
We have established strong ties with a dozen of sister colleges in Japan (International Buddhist University), Australia (the University of Wollongong and the University of South Australia), Korea (Uiduk University), North America (Lawrence Technological University, Morehead State University, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and the University of New England), England (De Montfort University), and France (Le departement de philosophie, L’Universite de Paris-8), and other cultural exchange programs and cooperation in plan.
Dormitories and Facilities
There are separate dormitories for male and female students, providing housing for 1000 students. First-year students are given priority to live on campus. Each room is fully furnished with a telephone, Internet connection, along with other living facilities.
Scholarships and Part-time Jobs on Campus
The University has set up more than 20 scholarships and grants to award students in various fields, such as academic work, physical education, literary work, artistic creation, and social work. In addition to the low-income family grant, emergency funding is also available for those who experience financial difficulties and unexpected family crises. As a result, two-fifths of the students are recipients of scholarships and grants. The administrative offices also provide students with part-time jobs on campus. Also we offer scholarship of NT$ 160,000 for those who are first admitted into this university with excellent academic performance. For international students admitted to our graduate programs, special scholarships are offered. For more information, please contact related programs.
Student Activities
The student body has more than 50 associations in the field of academics, literary writing, dance, music, social clubs, and volunteer works. Each association holds regular activities under the direction of a teacher. The Student Government provides students a chance to become leaders and to have first-hand experiences in decision-making and politics in a democratic society.
http://www.HFU.edu.tw/
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