To help freshmen plan their four-year university learning journey at an early stage, the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management at Ming Chi University of Technology organized a “Freshman Forum with the Department Chair.” During the event, the department chair met face-to-face with all first-year students, providing in-depth explanations on key topics such as the curriculum structure, graduation requirements, internship opportunities, and international exchange programs. The chair also encouraged students to cultivate the core ability to solve complex problems within the professional field of Industrial Engineering and Management.

Professional Curriculum Blueprint: Five Specialized Modules

At the beginning of the forum, the department chair first introduced the overall curriculum structure of the department, emphasizing that the program aims to cultivate engineering management professionals equipped with data analysis and systems integration capabilities. Freshmen are encouraged to build a strong academic foundation by mastering fundamental courses such as Calculus, Linear Algebra, Economics, Accounting, Statistics, Introduction to Industrial Management, and information-related courses. In the sophomore and junior years, students will then delve deeper into specialized modules.

Currently, the department offers five major elective specialization modules:

• Lean Management Module: Focuses on learning how to eliminate waste and improve production efficiency.
• Human-Centered Design (Human Factors Engineering) Module: Emphasizes human–machine interaction and the creation of user-friendly work environments.
• Information Technology Module: Strengthens technological capabilities in smart manufacturing and digital transformation.
• Decision-Making and Data Analytics Module: Applies big data and AI to support managerial decision-making.
• Integrated Systems Module: Emphasizes interdisciplinary system integration and practical implementation.

Graduation Requirements: 148 Credits and Interdisciplinary Programs

Regarding credit requirements, the department chair reminded freshmen that the graduation requirement for the Industrial Engineering and Management program is 148 credits. In addition to required and elective departmental courses, one distinctive feature of Ming Chi University of Technology is that students must complete at least one credit program (such as a minor or interdisciplinary program).

This requirement is not only a graduation condition but also an opportunity for students to develop a second area of expertise beyond Industrial Engineering. For example, students may pursue interdisciplinary studies in artificial intelligence, design management, or digital marketing to enhance their future competitiveness.

Ming Chi’s Distinctive Feature: Full-Year Junior Internship

When discussing Ming Chi’s long-standing tradition, the department chair elaborated on the full-year industrial internship during the junior year. According to the chair, the department collaborates with a wide range of internship partners. In addition to the Formosa Plastics Group (such as Formosa Plastics, Nanya Technology, and Formosa Chemicals & Fibre), the department has also established long-term partnerships with major companies including Wistron Corporation, Advantech, and Delta Electronics.

During the internship period, students receive a formal salary (with an average monthly salary of approximately NT$26,000 to over NT$30,000) while gaining a full year of practical work experience. The chair also explained that the department offers remote courses during the internship period—such as Industrial Engineering Practice and Technical Report Writing—allowing students to continue their academic studies while gaining workplace experience. This arrangement truly embodies the concept of integrating industry and academia.

Looking to the World: International Exchange and Dual-Degree Opportunities

To encourage students to broaden their global perspectives, the department chair also introduced the department’s international resources. Ming Chi University of Technology has established sister-school partnerships with renowned universities in countries such as the United States, France, Germany, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Examples include the University of Cincinnati in the United States, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, ESIEE Paris in France, King Mongkut’s University of Technology in Thailand, and the University of San Carlos in the Philippines.

Students may apply for overseas exchange programs during their sophomore or senior year and may even pursue a “3+2 Bachelor–Master integrated program.” The chair encouraged freshmen to strengthen their foreign language skills during their first two years, noting that the university also provides scholarships and financial support to reduce the economic burden of studying abroad.

A Message from the Chair: Building Career Readiness from Day One

At the end of the forum, the department chair encouraged freshmen to adopt a proactive attitude, emphasizing that the essence of industrial engineering is “to make things better.” Students were urged not only to complete coursework but also to actively observe problems and seek solutions.

The forum concluded successfully with a Q&A session. Through the chair’s detailed explanations, freshmen gained a clearer understanding of their academic goals and potential career paths for the future.

　　Image (No. 1) Description: Freshman Forum with Chair Kung-Jui Pai, Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ming Chi University of Technology

中文：工管系大一新生與系主任座談會
This article will be simultaneously published in the SDGs E-paper.