“2025 Student Affairs and Counseling Workshop” – Associate Professor Hsuan Shares on SEL to Enhance Counseling Capacity-國立成功大學永續發展SDGs

On November 24, the Office of Student Affairs at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) held the “2025 Academic Year, 1st Semester Student Affairs and Counseling Workshop” at Cheng-Hsing Hall on the Cheng-Hsing Campus. Advisors and administrative staff from all departments and programs across the university gathered to discuss student affairs issues and build a shared understanding of counseling practices. During the workshop, awards were presented to outstanding advisors from the 2024 academic year to recognize their dedication and hard work. Additionally, Associate Professor Hsuan-Chih Huang (黃絢質), Director of the Curriculum Division at the Office of Teacher Education and Career Counseling, National Kaohsiung Normal University (NKNU), was invited to give a lecture on the concepts and implementation of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), offering faculty members both theoretical insights and practical strategies to enhance counseling, strengthen student-faculty emotional connections, and foster a more supportive campus environment.

Vice President Ching-Chang Lee (李俊璋) attended on behalf of President Meng-Ru Shen (沈孟儒) and delivered a speech expressing sincere gratitude to all advisors. He thanked the faculty for going above and beyond their teaching and research responsibilities to support students, providing guidance and care across both academic and personal aspects of their lives. Vice President Lee emphasized that advisors shoulder the important responsibility of caring for and counseling students on the front lines, and their selfless dedication is truly admirable.

In her lecture, Associate Professor Huang presented the core principles and benefits of SEL in an accessible manner. She explained that SEL encompasses five key competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making, highlighting that self-awareness is especially critical. She encouraged teachers to model SEL traits in their teaching, noting, “Happy teachers make happy students.” Professor Huang emphasized that integrating SEL into curricula not only enhances students’ motivation and academic performance but also helps reduce negative emotions such as anxiety and depression. SEL serves as a protective factor for preventing psychological and behavioral issues and promoting positive youth development. She further stressed that SEL is not just a student-focused initiative but a crucial element in fostering high-quality interactions between teachers and students.

Associate Professor Huang further shared her experiences in learning and teaching to illustrate the practical application of SEL in classroom instruction. For example, in language teaching, instructors can integrate project-based learning to develop students’ skills in dialogue and text creation, while guiding them to think critically, ask questions, and engage in reflection throughout the process. She suggested that advisors foster a student-centered classroom atmosphere that is inclusive and accepting, connecting learning activities to students’ real-life experiences, emphasizing learning by doing, hands-on experiences, and reflective practice. Professor Huang emphasized that creating an environment characterized by “Safety, Connection, and Empowerment” is fundamental to cultivating SEL. She encouraged teachers and students to learn together and collaboratively practice SEL.

Liang-Yi Hung (洪良宜), Vice President for Student Affairs at NCKU, noted that Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) has become a major trend in education. Since 2025, the Ministry of Education has actively promoted SEL initiatives. Moving forward, the Office of Student Affairs at NCKU will plan related workshops and training programs on campus to help faculty deepen their understanding and practical application of SEL, thereby enhancing their professional competencies.