Department History
Department History
To cultivate information technology professionals, the university established the “Electronic Computing Program” in the 1970 academic year, which has evolved through several stages:
1. In the 1970 academic year, the “Department of Electronic Computing” was founded under the Five-Year Junior (Day Division). Professional courses used a second-generation computer, the CDC-3150, for hands-on practice. As microcomputers gained popularity due to their affordability, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) began digital transformations, reducing costs. To meet industry demand and train data processing professionals, the program enhanced its curriculum and was renamed “Electronic Data Processing Program” in the 1982 academic year.
2. With the rapid development of technology and the growing trend of business computerization, a Two-Year Junior College night program for working professionals was established under the title “Electronic Data Processing Program” in the 1986 academic year.
3. In the 1987 academic year, the university launched the “Business Information Program” under the Open College. To elevate electronic data processing and integrate various types of information, the focus shifted to the era of Information Management. In line with government initiatives promoting IT development, the curriculum was revised in the 1992 academic year to meet the demand for mid-level information management professionals. In 1994, the program was renamed “Information Management Program” and aligned with similar departments in technical colleges to pave the way for students to further their studies.
4. After the university was restructured as the National Taipei College of Business in the 2001 academic year, the “Department of Information Management” (Day Program) was launched under the Two-Year Institutes of Technology in the 2002 academic year. In coordination with the Council of Labor Affairs' pilot initiative, the German-Taiwanese Dual Vocational Training Project, which aimed to integrate employment, academic education, and professional certification, the Department of Information Management launched a special German-Taiwanese Dual System Program in the 2003 academic year. This program adopted the dual system model of combining classroom learning with practical training to help enterprises cultivate highly skilled information management professionals. However, due to limitations in classroom facilities, the program was unable to continue and ceased admissions the following year.
5. Aligning with the university’s goal of becoming a university of science and technology, the Graduate School of Business added an “Information Management Program” in the 2004 academic year to admit graduate students. The Department of Information Management was also established for the Two-Year Institutes of Technology night program under the Continuing Education Center. That same year, the number of night classes in the Two-Year Junior College program was reduced from three to two.
6. In the 2006 academic year, the Undergraduate Division established the "Department of Information Management" under the Four-Year Institutes of Technology for the Day Division, while the Continuing Education Center launched a similar program for the Night Division. In the same year, the Day Division reduced the number of classes in the five-year associate program for Information Management from two to one, and the Continuing Education Center also reduced the number of classes in the two-year associate program from two to one.
7. In the 2008 academic year, the Two-Year Junior College night program under the Continuing Education Center ceased enrollment. That same year, one additional night class for the Department of Information Management was added to the Two-Year Institutes of Technology under the Continuing Education Center. At that time, the department's class structure included: Five-Year Junior College Day Division (5 classes), Two-Year Institutes of Technology Day Division (2 classes), Four-Year Institutes of Technology Day Division (4 classes), Two-Year Institutes of Technology Night Division (6 classes), and Four-Year Institutes of Technology Night Division (5 classes), with a total student population of approximately 1,000.
8. In the 2009 academic year, the department established the Graduate Institute of Information Technology and Management as an independent institute and transferred five full-time faculty members to serve there. Consequently, the Information Management Program under the Graduate School of Business - ceased student admissions starting in the 2011 academic year. Additionally, one class was cut from the Night Division's Two-Year Institutes of Technology.
9. Since the 2013 academic year, the department has entered a phase of stable development. The total number of classes across the day and night divisions decreased from 21 classes in the 2008 academic year to 17 classes, as follows: Five-Year Junior College Day Division: 5 classes; Two-Year Institutes of Technology Day Division: 2 classes; Four-Year Institutes of Technology Day Division: 4 classes; Two-Year Institutes of Technology Night Division: 2 classes; and Four-Year Institutes of Technology Night Division: 4 classes
10. In response to the growing importance of the field of artificial intelligence, and to cultivate high-level talent integrating AI and business applications, the department applied to establish the Master’s Program in Artificial Intelligence and Business in the 2019 academic year, with an enrollment quota of 8 students. The program officially began enrolling students in the 2021 academic year.
11. Starting in the 2021 academic year, the department was approved to offer a Four-Year Institutes of Technology - Special Class for Technologically Gifted Students, enrolling students with demonstrated technical excellence. In the 2021 and 2022 academic years, the Two-Year Institutes of Technology - Continuing Education Division operated two classes, but due to further enrollment adjustments in the 2023 academic year, the number was reduced to one class. Additionally, the newly established Master’s Program in Artificial Intelligence and Business continues to cultivate advanced IT professionals to meet industry needs.
12. To expand the cultivation of talent in STEM fields, the department launched a Post-Baccalaureate Program in STEM Fields in the 2024 academic year, facilitating the timely integration of cross-disciplinary professionals.
13. In response to rapid societal changes and evolving environmental demands, the department continues to adjust its academic structure and number of classes accordingly. It currently comprises four divisions: Five-Year Junior College, Four-Year Institutes of Technology (including Day Division, Special Class for Technologically Gifted Students and Continuing Education), Two-Year Institutes of Technology (Day Division and Continuing Education) and Master’s Programs. The department currently has an enrollment of approximately 850 students.