From July 21~23, NPUST took part in the “2023 Asia-Pacific Forum & Exposition for Sustainability” hosted by the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy (TAISE) at Taipei World Trade Center. Within the theme of “Towards a Net Zero Future”, NPUST used “NPUST Landscape and Greenery Symbiosis” as the main axis of its exhibit. This theme was uses to connect the work of the schools various USR teams, who respectively are focused on “Mountain Forest Conservation”, “Sustainable Economies”, “Water Areas and Hydrology”, and “Humanistic Care”. Through these four channels, the university is working to expand its influence on society—cooperating with local people to practice sustainable action, and promoting social prosperity based on sustainable development.
In the “Mountain Forest Conservation” group, Professor Yuan-Hsun Sun of the NPUST Wildlife Conservation Institute is promoting “Owl Nest Boxes as an Ecologically and Agriculturally Friendly Practice”. As part of their projects, owl habitats are being created in farmers’ fields to substitute for rat poison. To attract raptors, perches and nest boxes are hung in the surrounding artificial forests to increase the time the birds spend in the fields. This provides the raptors with a safe place to hunt well also helping farmers with biological pest control.
In the “Sustainable Economies” group, Professor Meihui Chen of the Department of Forestry is promoting agricultural and forestry carbon sequestration by cultivating talent in “Satoyama Deep Economy, Underforest Economy, and Eco-Tourism”. The team systematically promotes sixth-level underforest economic industries and has been working in local communities for many years to create underforest economic teaching fields and tribal demonstration sites where they can cultivate young tribal talent. They have developed unique lesson plans and teaching materials which effectively promote forest economies and the results of their work can be seen in community fields where community development, field management, and eco-tourism bases are achieving vibrant business results.
The “Water Areas and Hydrology” team, under the guidance of Associate Professor Herlin Chien of the NPUST Center for General Studies presented on the theme of “Agricultural Circular Economy: It’s Great to Have A ‘River’”. Collaborating with the “Blue Donggang Creek Conservation Association of Taiwan”, they planned a series of projects. The main implementation areas include Neipu Township, Zhutian Township, and Wanluan Township, where they are treating livestock wastewater, preventing soil degradation, reusing liquid and biogas residue as resources, and providing carbon guidance to small farmers on compost and biochar. The activities are not only changing the way farming is done, but also conserving soil and water resources and allowing for good ecological restoration.
Meanwhile, the “Humanistic Care”, led by Professor Huey-Fen Su of the Department of Recreational Sport and Health Promotion, shared on “Platinum Vitality 2.0 – A City for Lively and Slow Aging”. Their professional coaching team of teachers and students and the Bjorgaas Foundation are working together to hold physical education classwa for seniors. As they lead exercises at the Yongda Sports and Fitness Area, the students are able work towards becoming professional instructors while also giving back to the community.
Additionally, Associate Professor Herlin Chien, who also heads up the TSH@NPUST 1.5 Degree Food and Consumption Transformation Sustainability Hub, led a team to assist with the creation of Taiwan’s first BSI certified “carbon neutral” restaurant under the “Green Food Consumption USR X CSR” Project”. The “DOKI DOKI” restaurant was established using a decarbonized supply chain for food ingredients and is cooperating with the development of an innovative business model with one kitchen for multiple brands and one kitchen for multiple stores. Based on a decarbonized circular economic system, they are developing various types of sustainable business models, bringing in business models used in other countries, and assisting with the international development of Taiwanese cuisine. In addition to increasing physical revenue, they are also attracting a new generation of sustainable consumers and investor groups, and seizing on major sustainable market opportunities.
