Professor Wen-ling Shih, Administrative Vice-President of National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST), is conducting a University Social Responsibility (USR) practice project aimed at “shaping cultural resilience and constructing sustainable economics within the Makatao tribe’s healthy agricultural industry”. With support coming from Benker P.C. Liao, an entrepreneur and alumnus of the school, on March 27th (2025) a special 100 km bicycle ride was organized for this year’s graduating class of Ronghua Elementary School. Together, the group rode all the way to the Eluanbi Lighthouse in Kenting (a 100km journey). In addition to challenging their own physical fitness, they also had a chance to experience the unique charm of Pingtung’s ethnic culture during the trip, and witness the integration and diversity of the indigenous peoples, plains peoples, Hakka, Minnan and other cultures in the area.
Vice-President Wen-ling Shih said that NPUST has long been committed to the USR practice project. Through on-site learning, young students are able to enhance their physical fitness and get their fingers on the pulse of local history. The group of elementary students was led by NPUST Professor Chia-Hsiang Chen, who heads up the NPUST Innovative Sports Technology Laboratory. Chen formerly served as the national triathlon team coach and still competes as a cyclist and triathlete. It was an exciting experience for the children to not only meet the accomplished athlete, but also to have him accompany them on the ride and share riding techniques with them during breaks, such as how to maintain rhythm, save energy, and adjust their breathing when going uphill. Excited about what they were learning, the young students shared that: “the professional athlete told us we should focus on looking ahead and not always think about how far we have to go. This way, we won’t be so tired when riding!”
Ronghua Elementary School Principal Jhong-Bing Li said: “through bike riding and cross-disciplinary learning, the students can learn about mechanical concepts in the field of science; culture, history and humanities in the field of social science; and traffic safety and the practice of healthy living in the field of health and recreation. It also allows them to challenge themselves and tempers their minds. Children can foster interdisciplinary thinking and develop innovative abilities through cycling, and lay a solid foundation for future learning and life! Thanks to the support of the USR program of National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, teachers are taking local elementary school students road riding, and demonstrating the spirit of big hands helping little hands through the practice of the university social responsibility.”
