STUST implemented the University Learning Ecosystem Innovation Project and the New Engineering Education Method Experiment and Construction Project, both sponsored by the Ministry of Education's, actively promoting the cultivation of innovative methods for the new generation of interdisciplinary engineering practical talents. On the 6th of January, STUST held an exhibition for students’ thematic achievements in the first semester of the 109th academic year on the second floor of the university’s Intercollegiate Industrial Technology and Internship Building (Building I), with a total of 24 groups of thematic works in the exhibition. The exhibition came with rich contents, so rich that they attracted many teachers and students.

[A group photo of the event of the achievement exhibition its Future University Promotion Project of annual thematic works at STUST.]

Based on the curriculum and philosophy of Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering, STUST implemented the University Learning Ecosystem Innovation Project (Future University Project) of the Ministry of Education and set up in the College of Engineering a new practicum class crossing the boundary of electricity engineering and information technology. With the educational philosophy of "learning by doing," the curriculum design focuses on cultivating students' practical core ability to solve "realistic engineering problems" as well as on effective learning of students. With the help of teacher-student dialogue, it guides students to teamwork for effective learning, enhances students’ autonomy, and motivates them to learn, thereby carrying out a pilot project of innovative engineering education. In the 105th and the 106th academic years, the Future University Project planned to recruit 50 students interested in practicum from among more than 600 freshman students of the departments related to electricity, electronics, engineering, and optoelectronics to establish the "New Generation Interdisciplinary Engineering Practicum Class. With a four-year consistent thematic curriculum planning as its focus, it planned for a practical learning space and coordinated the revision of school regulations and other pilot programs. Among them, the students of the special class who enrolled in the 105th academic year received 4 years of different teaching methods and training, which were very effective in improving their practical core ability to solve "realistic engineering problems." Their winning rate of participating in various competitions was as high as 96%. The practicability, completeness, and technical level of their graduation projects were significantly better than ordinary students after the external industry review results; their learning motivation, independent learning ability, and narrative expression ability have also been significantly improved. Based on this pilot experience of innovative teaching innovation, STUST has promoted the program in the Department of Electronic Engineering, the Department of Mechanic Engineering, the Department of Chemical Materials, and other departments of the College of Engineering. It is hoped that this new generation of interdisciplinary engineering practice talent cultivation model can be used as a model system for the transformation of technical and vocational education in our country.

[The four-year consistent curriculum structure of STUST "Future University Special Class"]

The implementation of this project is quite successful. In addition to winning the Bronze Award of the 2020 Macronix Gold Silicon Award, the Gold Medal of the 15th Holtek Cup Creative Competition, and the runner-up of the 2020 Communication Competition, STUST has won more than a dozen important domestic awards. Moreover, there are now 9 industry-academic cooperation projects, among which, the special class has completed the mobile phone online listening APP of Yishi Radio. The entire development has been completed, and it was successfully launched on November 26, 109. Students are also exploring their own possibilities through this project. After the questionnaire survey, most of the graduates are prepared to continue their master's studies, hoping to make breakthroughs in their professions. In addition, based on the foundation of the Future University Project, the "Hoop-Style Electronic Engineering Practicum Class"—an experiment and construction project current new engineering education method—is being actively implemented. Students who like to practice are welcome to study at STUST and join this teaching innovation. Chao-Tang Yu, Chairman of the Department of Electronic Engineering, said that the Future University Project and the experiment and construction plan of new engineering education method are based on professional courses and independent learning of students, by which students will gradually improve their core abilities. In the freshman and sophomore years, students will be well established in their creative development and simple problem-solving ability. In the junior year, they will strive to improve their ability to solve advanced problems. In the senior year, they will be in line with the industry and focus on strengthening the ability to solve difficult problems in the industry, mainly to improve their learning habits and thinking patterns. Coupled with current vigorous promotion of sports and club activities, students will be able to enhance their competence of organization and execution in all aspects. With the support of their strong health conditions, students’ learning will surely have long-term effects in the future.