Today's world is more global, knowledge-based, connected, and, facing faster changes. Today's graduates will have several different careers after graduation, sometimes quite unrelated to their major studies at university. Students need to respond creatively and seize opportunities in such a fast changing society by possessing an integrated knowledge and a diverse skill set. University education is therefore more than subject knowledge teaching or career training. General Education is a major part of liberal arts education or whole-person education.
General Education (GE) is defined as "that part of a curriculum that is shared by ALL students (regardless of their original major/profession), provides broad exposure to multiple disciplines, and forms the basis for developing important intellectual and civil capabilities" (Spencer Benson, 2009). GE is designed to achieve more than just broadening students' knowledge. It is learning that empowers individuals and prepares them to deal with complexity, diversity and change.
Our GE model aims to embrace this direction for achieving our education missions. It provides the key common learning experience for all UM undergraduate students. GE programmes, if designed and implemented well, are equally as important as studies in the major programmes.
