According to the National Development Council, the development of AI is progressing rapidly, with the market size expanding to trillions of dollars within just one year, attracting over 30% of global investment funds. The government hopes AI will become another crucial sector following semiconductors and servers, planning to invest NT$12 billion in establishing AI data centers with a goal of training and recruiting 200,000 AI professionals in four years.

Tzu Chi University's Department of Information Technology and Management plans to enroll 37 new students in the 114th academic year, focusing on AI big data as the core of their curriculum, providing diverse admission pathways including vocational programs.

The department emphasizes courses in AI big data and digital multimedia, covering areas such as app software development, cloud applications, big data, digital content design, and interactive multimedia design. Take the AI big data module, for example, which builds a foundation in programming logic, followed by data collection (IoT), recognition (AI), mobility (mobile devices), culminating in learning, exploration, and applications in healthcare informatics and business intelligence.

A digital multimedia module focuses on digital content and interactive media, laying a basis with digital media production, progressing to digital photography, editing, game engines, and animation, guiding students into applications in live streaming, marketing, and Web mixed reality.

Department Head Tsai Tsung-hung notes that if students aim to work as software developers, database managers, mobile application developers, etc., they must obtain certifications early, such as iPAS IoT, information security, mobile devices, or TQC plus object-oriented programming languages. Therefore, the curriculum is designed to strengthen skills in algorithms, IoT, big data analysis, artificial intelligence, and data visualization.

If students are interested in digital multimedia, the department emphasizes courses on Unity cross-platform application design, computer animation, video editing, web design, and online marketing. They also provide support in acquiring relevant certifications to realize their educational philosophy of “one certificate (graduation) with multiple qualifications (professional certifications)”, ensuring students are familiar with the synergy between courses and certifications, thinking about career planning from the onset, and assisting them in certification exams, cultivating versatile AI talent for the E-generation.

Third-year student Liao Chien-an stated that through industry internships, he not only gains practical knowledge, skills, and tools but also emphasizes the ability to identify problems, thereby enhancing logical thinking and gaining a comprehensive understanding of development processes and project management. Compared to pure information engineering, the Information Management program encompasses both technical and management knowledge, making it more aligned with business applications and providing an advantage for career development. Malaysian student Tsai Yu-chien notes that in addition to the originally planned Python courses, there are supplementary courses in C#, HTML, CSS, and media software applications.

Another third-year student, Hsu Li-yun, mentioned that since his freshman year, he has continuously enhanced his programming skills, which led him to an internship in the long-term care department of Tzu Chi Hospital, where he developed web applications. Although long-term care and information management appear to be vastly different fields, the underlying principles align, making it easier to adapt without starting from scratch as long as one is committed to learning.

Tsai Tsung-hung, the head of the department, emphasized that the Tzu Chi Foundation and Tzu Chi Hospital provide training opportunities for information engineers or reserve cadre, allowing students to combine internships with professional skills, reducing the gap between education and employment, facilitating employment immediately upon graduation. Recently, they signed a memorandum of cooperation for the cultivation of information talent with Tzu Chi Medical Mission, offering public-funded student placements so graduates can secure jobs immediately upon graduation. Importantly, the Department of Information Technology and Management places a significant emphasis on industry needs, collaborating with industry professionals for co-teaching, guiding projects, and continuously participating in competitions to hone students' creativity, teamwork, and keep abreast of the latest industry trends.