Interdisciplinary learning has long been a defining feature of NTU’s academic culture, supported by flexible course requirements, diverse student interactions, and extracurricular programs. However, such efforts were traditionally limited to formalized certifications, such as minors and double majors, which required students to follow predetermined course lists set by faculty.
The UIBP empowered me to align institutional certification with my genuine academic interests and actual coursework. Through modular Specialization Programs or Credit Programs, I was able to establish flexible learning objectives tailored to both my academic and professional aspirations.
One of the UIBP's greatest strengths was its adaptability. This framework allowed me to modify degree requirements based on my evolving interests, acquired expertise, and course availability—essentially crafting a degree that was uniquely mine. Having said that, the modular structure had its limitations: when NTU lacked relevant course modules for certain disciplines, students had to collaborate with faculty to develop new specializations.
My personal journey illustrates this challenge well. With no formal degree offered at NTU in these fields, I integrated my coursework in Geographic Information Science (GIS), Public Transportation Planning, and Policy Analysis to construct a degree in Urban Planning under UIBP. The program's flexibility also extended to the incorporation of my overseas exchange credits into graduation requirements, giving me exceptional autonomy over both my educational and professional paths.
The outcome? Through UIBP, I merged GIS expertise with urban planning credentials, culminating in a bachelor’s thesis that bridges Geographic Information Science and public transportation planning under dual faculty mentorship. This case demonstrates how NTU empowers students to explore emerging fields while ensuring formal academic recognition for interdisciplinary training, validating the efforts of those pursuing unconventional academic paths.
NTU's first UIBP graduate, Ita Lai, posed for a photo with the university president at the 2024 commencement ceremony.
My UIBP Core Curriculum (designed by Ita Lai).