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Brief Introduction

From KPI to ISU: Transformation and Continuous Growth

　Formerly known as Kaohsiung Polytechnic Institute (KPI), I-Shou University (ISU) was established in 1990 to meet the country’s development needs and cultivate talent in engineering and management, and KPI was officially upgraded and renamed I-Shou University in 1997. Aspiring to become an international comprehensive university, ISU spares no effort to develop and grow in all aspects. In 2009, the International College was inaugurated to foster a total immersion learning environment in English to nurture young professionals in international affairs and fuel campus internationalization. To extend its medical education impact, ISU established not only the School of Chinese Medicine for Post Baccalaureate in 2010 but also the School of Medicine for International Students in 2013, the only English-taught medical program in Taiwan to assist diplomatic allies in fostering medical practitioners who will, after graduation, address the issue of insufficient medical resources in their home countries. Also in 2013, after thirteen years of hard work and persistent efforts, the establishment of the College of Medicine was officially approved by the Ministry of Education, marking a milestone in ISU’s medical education. Starting 2012, ISU offers several bachelor’s degree programs to indigenous youth living locally and in remote areas; and the College of Indigenous Studies was inaugurated in 2016 to contribute more to the social and economic development of indigenous peoples. In 2019, the newly established School of Medicine started recruiting government-funded students, making ISU one of the four comprehensive universities in Taiwan that has a college of medicine. In 2020, the College of Intelligent Science and Technology was established with the approval of the Ministry of Education to show ISU’s ambition of diving into smart technologies. And in 2021, the College of Medical Science and Technology was officially established to contribute to the cultivation of technology specialists in the field of medicine and to the advancement of medical technology in Taiwan.

　With its continuous development, ISU currently has 10 colleges and 44 departments (including the School of Medicine for International Students), offering 16 master’s programs, 7 doctoral programs, 3 bachelor’s degree programs for indigenous peoples, 1 English-taught international program, 14 evening bachelor’s degree programs, 2 two-year in-service bachelor’s degree programs, and 8 in-service master’s programs. ISU has a student body of 13,000 students (including international students from more than 40 countries) and 500 full-time faculty members. To work toward the goal of becoming an EMI-centered bilingual university in 2028, ISU established the Bilingual Education and EMI Center in 2021, and the International College and the College of Medicine of ISU were handpicked by the Ministry of Education for further cultivation of bilingual education under the Program on Bilingual Education for Students in College. As one of the biggest institutions of higher education in southern Taiwan, ISU values humanistic qualities as much as technology and medicine and aspires to cultivate interdisciplinary talent.

　ISU has passed the institutional accreditation and the program accreditation and earned the IEET accreditation. The College of Management, the International College, and the College of Tourism and Hospitality passed the AACSB continuous improvement review (CIR) process in 2021 after having been accredited by AACSB in 2016. Having regarded medicine and smart technology as the 　foundation and valued interdisciplinary innovation and global competitiveness, ISU established the NVIDIA Studio and the Metaverse Center for Technology, Arts, and Design in 2022, aiming to nurture international talent with the knowledge and skills demanded in the new era.

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Location

　The Guanyinshan area, the home of ISU, has picturesque scenery and lush landscape. Over the past years, E United Group has made a massive investment to develop E-Da World, a vibrant entertainment hub for ISU faculty members, students, staffers, and residents who live nearby. Within the proximity, there are two hotels, an outlet mall, and a theme park with replicated scenes from the Aegean Sea. Thanks to the establishment of E-Da World, ISU students have the best locations to gain practical experience.

　For the sake of safety and convenience, ISU, located in the rural area of Kaohsiung City, has contracted E-Da Bus to provide different bus routes that take ISU faculty members, students and staffers to locations within downtown Kaohsiung.

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Learning Advantages

　With the support of E United Group, ISU provides substantial offers to recruit faculty members with research specialties and practical experience from different disciplines and professions. In regard to curriculum design, ISU underlines the importance of both theory and practice and incorporates them into teaching and experiments. Faculty members are encouraged to guide students in conducting not only research in their respective fields but also in interdisciplinary studies. To create a diverse situated learning environment, ISU has set up well-equipped laboratories for different disciplines, established the Chinese Culture Classroom and the Japanese Culture Classroom, and put up bilingual signs on campus. In addition, the establishment of the Teaching and Practice Headquarters gives ISU students a head start on gaining practical experience. ISU students may also take internships in the affiliates of E United Group or E-Da World based on their professions and needs. Hands-on experience gained before graduation is not only a great boost to students’ employability but a guarantee for their career success.

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International Connections

　To broaden students’ international horizons and improve their competitive edge, ISU has entered into a partnership with hundreds of institutions in Europe, the United States, Australia and Asia. Every year, ISU sends outstanding faculty members and students to partner institutions for visits and exchange and holds international conferences for academic exchanges. To stay competitive in the global market of higher education, ISU has adopted a series of measures, including but not limited to recruiting international students, creating a total immersion learning environment in English, enhancing local students’ English proficiency, and offering courses taught only in English. ISU offers various types of scholarships, such as Shue-Hai Scholarship, Shue-Wen Scholarship, and MOE Study Abroad Scholarship, to provide its students with an opportunity to take part in study tours or study abroad. There is also the “Eagle-Flying Study Abroad Scholarship,” which involves a thorough nurturing of outstanding students who are provided with an opportunity to study abroad at partner institutions with one year’s worth of tuition and other required fees. In addition to scholarships available at ISU, students are encouraged to enroll in double-degree programs developed by ISU and partner institutions. These measures provide an excellent platform for linking our outstanding students with the international community.

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A Wealth of Industrial Resources

　E United Group, to which ISU is affiliated, engages in the businesses of manufacturing, medical services, education, as well as real estate & leisure development. In addition to Yieh Phui Enterprise Co., Ltd. and Yieh United Steel Corporation (ranked 3rd place in stainless steel production worldwide), E United Group owns Yieh Phui Polyester Pre-Painted Steel Sheets Company, E-Da Hospital, Eliter International Corp., E-Da Royal Hotel, E-Da Skylark Hotel, E-Da Theme Park, etc. With the generous financial support from E United Group, ISU has equipment and facilities that are unparalleled among other universities in Taiwan. Also, ISU is one of the few comprehensive universities that values both theory and practice and is cognizant of and responsive to the needs of industries.

　In addition to collaboration with the affiliates of E United Group, ISU actively seeks opportunities to work with other business entities for internship programs. By so doing, ISU students are provided with more hands-on experience that would prepare them for the job market in different sectors. ISU also forges industry-university collaboration alliances with over 450 business entities, including industries of technology, electronics, medical services, iron & steel, hospitality, department stores, and hotels. ISU aspires to meet the needs of different industries, cultivate professional talents, and carry out university-specific research projects.

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Objectives and Vision

Philosophy

1. To establish learning arenas and multi-dimensional models that provide top-notch higher education to solidify students’ character buildups and professional capabilities.
2. To deliver featured teaching and specialized research of academia with industries and communities, thereby promoting a platform for applying and sharing knowledge.
3. To enhance international cooperation and exchanges to help enlarge all ISU members’ worldviews and concerns for global issues.
4. To build a professional, respectful, and ethical environment that facilitates ISU members’ intellectual and life attainments while consolidating services and contributions to society in general.

Vision
　I-Shou University aims to be an international comprehensive university that champions Intellectual innovation, Social engagement, and Universal sustainability.

Mission
　Excellent Teaching, Featured Research, Excellent Service, International Connections

Educational Objective
Nurturing students to become pragmatic and innovative professionals who have good manners, behave with integrity, and always show their dynamism

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