NPUST’s excellent performance in the third phase (2023-2024) of the University Social Responsibility Practice Program, has once again resulted in good news! Following review, the Ministry of Education has announced the selection results for the fourth phase of the USR Practice Program (2025-2027), and all five of NPUST’s applications were approved. The projects will receive a total of NT$19.75 million in subsidies, which is an increase of NT$1.75 million compared to the third phase. Considering that each school can only submit applications for 5 projects, the 100% pass rate is an added testament to the success of NPUST’s project designs. Only 9 schools nationwide have received approval for 5 projects—and among these, only were 2 national technical universities. Furthermore, NPUST was among only five schools which saw all 5 projects approved for two consecutive phases. The results demonstrate that NPUST’s long-term efforts in practicing USR in its local communities are having a recognizable impact.
The five USR projects approved this time are continuations from the third phase of the program. Giving focus to local development gaps in Pingtung, the projects include the “Satoyama Deep Economy 2.0 project for under forest economies, ecotourism alliance development, and agricultural & forestry carbon sequestration talent cultivation” hosted by Professor Mei-Hui Chen; the project for “digital transformation of agriculture, construction of ecosystems, and promotion of organic tropical agriculture along Pingtung’s 185 Highway”, promoted by Professor Hsu-Yang Kung and NPUST President Chin-Lung Chang; the project to “revitalize and optimization healthy agricultural with focus given to the Makatao tribe”, hosted by Vice-President Wen-Ling Shi; the project “promote science education for students from disadvantaged rural communities”, hosted by Professor Hudson Hsu; and the project promote “co-prosperity and happy companionship between young and old”, hosted by Professor Hui-Fen Su. NPUST promotes the practice of USR with the long-term goals of “facilitating local growth”, “cultivating independent talent” and “creating a sustainable environment”. As it continues to deepen its connections with the local community and promote a green campus, in 2025, it will also place added emphasis on “cultivating actionable talents” and “creating replicable exemplary learning”. In terms of talent development, in addition to focusing on the professional competence of its students, NPUST will work to strengthen cross-domain integration and problem-solving capabilities, while fostering greater concern for the local environment and increased motivation to participate in social practices among students. NPUST will also invest in the empowerment of community partners to promote the community’s ability to operate independently and sustainably, and it will work to establish replicable models which can be adopted by other regions, thereby driving the overall sustainable development of Pingtung County and creating a ripple effect throughout Taiwan and even beyond its borders.
