The Department of Indigenous Affairs which was approved establishing by the Ministry of Education in 2007 named as ‘Undergraduate Program of Indigenous Social Work’ from August 2007 to July 2010. After the merge between the National Dong Hwa University and the National Hualien University of Education, the Program was renamed as the Department of Indigenous Development and Social Work. The department inherits humanistic values and caring traditions of the College of Indigenous Studies, aiming to provide services especially for indigenous peoples in eastern Taiwan, and to train researchers, development professionals and social workers for indigenous peoples. 

2.      To resolve and prevent social problems in the indigenous communities by cultivating and training indigenous social workers and non-governmental organization workers.

3.      To strengthen research capabilities in indigenous issues and to provide policy consultation in relation to indigenous peoples.

4.      To give a full play to our functions and to promote community development and community services.

5.      To become a lifelong learning center.

6.      To broaden multiple ways of education for indigenous peoples, and to revitalize, preserve and develop indigenous culture.

 

The Department of Indigenous Development and Social Work aims to cultivate professionals and talents in the areas of indigenous development, administration and indigenous social work with an emphasis of the balance between theories and practices, globalization and tribalization, as well as quality and quantity.

 

1.      To advance basic teaching and research facilities and equipment, and to establish indigenous database.

2.      To increase the number of teaching and research staff

3.      To institutionalize department affairs and to draft and develop regulations and rules for the department.  

4.      To arrange talks, conferences and students’ practicum in order to improve academic atmosphere in the department.

5.      To strengthen coordination between theoretical and practical aspects, as well as teaching and research in the area of indigenous issues.

6.      To encourage and attract more students to study in the department by providing scholarship and financial aid information.  

 

1.      To strengthen cooperative education, as well as university and industry liaison system.

2.      To create a productive research atmosphere in the department, and encourage research and publication.

3.      To broaden multiple ways of further education for indigenous peoples.  

4.      To take an active role in international academic collaboration in order to broaden horizon for faculty members and students.

5.      To assist in the College of Indigenous Studies to become one of the most important Austronesian Studies Centers.

Career prospects

The Department encourages students to take part in the Special Examination for Indigenous Persons, the Senior Civil Servant Examination and the Social Worker License Examination. Students will have wide ranges of choices and opportunities and bright career prospects after graduation.   

1.      Students can pursue further education in Taiwan or abroad.

2.      Students can work either in public or private sector.