Two years ago, the Student Learning Support Section of the TKU Center of Learning and Teaching set up a Social Study Group program. Under the program, study groups receive subsidies on expenses associated with group meetings provided that they conform to the study group rules set out by TKU. Since then, the number of study groups at Tamkang has mushroomed, from 13 in 2009 to 44 in 2010.

Study groups allow students to meet regularly and discuss issues or topics related to the purpose of the groups. The Executive Director of the Center for Learning and Teaching, Yu Chia-cheng, said that Tamkang does not dictate or restrict the style or format of each group. Each group can therefore design their own themes and create a diverse and interesting study group environment. Apart form discussing theories and concepts found in textbooks, the groups can also discuss social issues or topics related to contemporary society.

In the future, Executive Director Yu hopes to extend the concept of study groups to create a comprehensive network of “study mates” who are connected via the internet.