T-Shaped Talents Are the Hottest!
IIn this era of rapid technology changes, specialized technological skills are not enough to allow you to scale very high on the ladder to success. Possessing the skills needed to add value through intellectual property rights, for example, would make it very easy for an R&D manager in the biotech industry to map out an R&D strategy that gives his company a competitive edge over their competitors, simultaneously enhancing his own value to his company. An LCD tester who also has a keen eye for the market doesn't have to worry about promotions because he understands market needs. The work performance of a IC design engineer that is also a creative thinker is bound to outshine his peers. By adding the five innovation competencies, that is creative thinking, industrial analysis, R&D management, IP management, and business development, to their repertoire of skills through extra learning, technical specialists can make themselves invaluable to their companies. These mutually beneficial abilities will also help them become highly competitive "T-shaped talents" who will one day navigate their business. The programs in ITRI College's Five Innovation Competencies and Six Technology Domains can provide you with the interdisciplinary knowledge and skills you need, while effectively equipping you with innovation abilities. No individual in the workplace should miss this opportunity to quickly increase their personal value.

An innovative learning model that combines instruction and experience
Experience is a far more valuable mentor than books. ITRI College has dedicated itself to developing more effective learning models. The Japan's Fashion Organic Architecture Oversea Study Camp is one fine example of the efforts taken by ITRI College.

The camp employed innovative learning methods, combining special topic lectures with onsite, hands-on teaching. Instructors first explained the concept of organic architecture during designated topic discussions in a pretrip seminar session. Then, experts from various fields took students on field trips to experience examples first hand and to visit various organizations to allow students to gain a deeper understanding directly from them. Finally, organizers held an after-trip sharing session during which students, divided into small groups, showed what they had learned. Experts took part in the sharing, helping students to internalize what they had seen and studied, making it their own. Furthermore, they incorporated the "learning community" model to provide students with an environment in which they could increase contacts, learn from each other, and grow continually.

This practical activity laid particular stress on "fashion," because field trips highlighted creative and intelligent architecture designed with future living environments in mind. They were "organic" in that their main thrust is ecologically friendly, green structures. Students experienced the allure of the dialog between culture and technology as well as the beauty that resulted from the fusion of nature and technology. Students were also given the opportunity to witness renewable fuels and safetyoriented construction as part of their field trip itineraries.

This year, ITRI College will be organizing ten overseas study camps. The topics will include solar energy applications, risk and safety management, biotechmedical treatment, information and communications technology, sustainable architecture, energy applications, and precision machinery. ITRI College's excursions don't just give students a cursory understanding of the topics at hand or just give students enough time to snap off a couple of photos before heading to the next "photo shoot." Camp itineraries are designed to give students an in-depth understanding of "how to link technology to life style," so that it can be used to meet human needs. Excursions are designed to assist students to dig deeper for knowledge and to investigate the relationship between individuals and living environments.