National Chiayi University

Introduction
  
The Department has a history of 71 years. It was first established in 1948 in Taiwan Provincial Agriculture and Forest School, which later became National Chiayi University. Faculty and alumni of the Department of Horticulture have put great effort forging an excellent educational environment for students to learn the theories and practices of the field. Graduates from the department have become important assets of the society and contribute their expertise in various fields. Many of them play an essential role in research and application of horticultural sciences. With the abundant resources and distinguished faculty members experienced in research and teaching, we’re proud to be one of the best values in the nation for a college education.
   
   
     
Objective
  
The Green Industry, also known as Green Economy, promotes a sustainable and economically viable future. It is said that the green industry is the gift from the God. Our Department is honored to be able to play the leading role in the industry. Our mission is to provide services and expertise to promote sustainable patterns of production. Our school is located in Yun-Jianan Plain, which is the focus of native horticultural industries; consequently our department bears the responsibility of future development in Taiwan horticultural industries. Horticultural sciences involve diverse aspects. They are all closely related to economy and living cultures. Well-trained students in horticultural science could bring their skills and creativity to the green industry and have profound impact on the sustainable environment. Our mission is to foster students to become experts in horticultural industries, planting, breeding, postharvest and horticultural products production, biological techniques and landscape planning and design for the agricultural development in the future.

With the rapid development of technology, horticultural science has entered a new era. We see Artificial Intelligence (AI) used in agriculture. In order to train professionals for the horticultural industry, our Department have designed courses that could equip students with knowledge and skills needed. At the same time, we train students to know how to communicate, coordinate and become a leader. Our students will experience hands-on learning in a tight-knit atmosphere with diverse faculty fosters students’ growth. Students are required to take part in off-campus internship and to complete projects. They are also encouraged to work for the local businesses or short-term exchange program in foreign countries. The aim is to help them learn the current and future development and needs in the field. Currently we have teams working with the government agencies, research institutes and private sectors on development of citrus, pineapple, red dragon fruit, mushroom, Eustoma, orchid and garden landscape. These teams provide service and technologies to the local communities and industry.
   
     
Faculty
  
Currently this Department has eleven full time teachers, among them are five professors, one associate professors, four assistant professors, and one lecturer. All of them hold a Ph.D. degree. Every year, our teachers receive grants from the government for 15 to 20 projects, with a total of NT$20 million. Each year, our teachers publish 10 to 20 papers, making excellent contributions in academic research. Thus, our Department took the second place in KPI.

Career opportunities

Our graduates use their degrees in a wide range of areas. They can choose to take the national examinations to be employed in government agencies. They can also become school teachers. Many graduates serve in central or local governmental organizations. Some start their own businesses related to gardening industry, plant seeding, plant breeding, garden landscape engineering, leisure agriculture, trading, etc. Some choose to work for private enterprises, farmers' association and corporate groups. An average of 15 to 20 graduates each year advance their studies for master or Ph.D. degrees in graduate institutes of horticultural science, biotechnology, or agronomy in Taiwan. 

As mentioned above, our students are trained skills to meet the demand of the market. Our graduates have been successful in operating businesses in the industry. Many have received awards for farming such as Shen-Non Prize and 100 best farmers. Many of our graduates have been proactively serving in the horticulture industry. Every year, we see quite a few graduates past the national exam and became public servants.

Future prospects

update Dec 02 2008 by Webmaster