Hua-Shih College of Education strives to become a professional institute of “Respecting, Contributive, Creative, and Being Respected,” where “teachers possess a sense of being innovative and creative, and students achieve profession and confidence.” Specifically, there are three main drivers:

1.  In terms of research – Promoting scientific educational research – transforming theory to practice

The primary function given to universities in research is to innovate knowledge. As a researcher, being creative is always the goal, individually or collectively, which is the researcher’s responsibility. Based on the early era of educational research, an educational philosophy that explained educational theories by individual interpretation was popular. Until the 19th century, the German philosopher Herbart initiated educational science. Although he failed, it has begun new horizons of pedagogical inquiry. At present, educational science is still taken notice by the educational research community, with a different understanding of educational science. Moreover, it also initiates the development of different educational science paradigms, which is our college's future goal. We expect to contribute to this direction of pedagogical research.

2. In terms of teaching – Promoting innovation in instruction – transforming students from passive learning to active learning through discussion and knowledge constructing.

The main function of teaching in universities is cultivating students ready to enter the profession as high-quality talents. Although the definition of so-called high-quality talents varies from place to place, the core value has always been emphasized: stimulating students’ professional knowledge and critical thinking. It has also become a long-term concern of the educational research community. So far, many creative methods related to primary and secondary education have been developed and implemented mainly by primary and secondary students. Meanwhile, teaching methods for college students are not many. Thus, the common method used by college students tends to be lecturing, which is widely used in almost all colleges, and colleges of education are not excluded. And this method cannot cultivate high-quality college students as the goal set. The question is, what methods should benefit students in receiving knowledge? With all those considerations, Hua-Shih college of education aims to take the responsibility of initiating the challenging pathway. In this regard, creative teaching methods will not be limited to fixed methods, and the colleges strive to lead to novelty.

3. In terms of service: Expanding the service space – transforming from “society-isolating in-campus environment” to “society-connecting off-campus environment”

The main function of service in the university is to closer the partnership between school and society and lead to the substantial benefits of mutual growth. The combination of the university and society can bring mutual benefits because the university exists in social contexts and thrives on society's nourishment. Moreover, the educational inspirations of teachers and students come from society, and students also need to learn to survive in society after graduation. In addition, teachers and students are expected to enrich the local culture at all levels substantially, and substantial service is the key to dealing with it. However, this idea was not taken seriously and widely advocated until the early twentieth century, after World War II. At present, it has become an unseparated issue in higher education. The image of universities as Ivory towers isolated from society in the past has gradually improved. Thus, how to build up a closer connection with society is also required to be innovative and creative. Students and teachers cannot be excluded from this issue, and actions will be taken to respond to the mission.