Advancing Sustainable Social Actions
Connecting the City and the World, Driving Sustainability with Responsibility, Advancing Shared Prosperity through Education
University uses knowledge as a bridge to connect city and academia, actively pursuing pathways of sustainable and shared growth. With interdisciplinarity at its core, NCKU integrates internal and external expertise, collaborating with local governments, industries, and communities to promote resource sharing and policy alignment, strengthening the link between academic research and social practice. These efforts span environmental sustainability, industrial transformation, cultural preservation, and smart technology applications, embodying the spirit of co-creation and sustainable development.
The Role and Responsibility
of Universities in Sustainability
NCKU regards University Social Responsibility (USR) as a core element in its governance and development, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to foster social awareness and practical capabilities among faculty and students. The University is committed to becoming a driving force for sustainable social development. In its 2023–2027 Mid-Term University Development Plan, NCKU defines its mission as follows:
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Strengthening social responsibility and impact, and developing resilience to address public issues
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Cultivating students’ problem-solving abilities
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Driving industrial development and supporting economic transformation and upgrading
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Engaging in regional governance integration to fulfill university social responsibility
Intelligent Health Care
NCKU actively supports national development and health policies by establishing the only public medical center in southern Taiwan. Together with NCKU Hospital, the University promotes the Smart Healthcare Interdisciplinary Project and has formed a Wall-less Community Healthcare Team to provide services such as long-term care case management and home-based rehabilitation, extending medical care into communities. NCKU also plays a key role in the national Shalun Medical Service and Innovation Park, building a digital innovation hub for healthcare services.
International Linkages
The Southeast and South Asia and Taiwan Universities Presidents’ Forum (SATU), established in 2003, has grown into a major academic and research platform comprising 105 member universities across 10 countries. This year’s forum aims to further strengthen international networks and enhance higher education’s adaptability and responsiveness to global development.
Co-founded by NCKU and several leading universities in Southeast Asia in 2003, the forum is built on the foundation of university excellence to address regional needs in economic, social, and political development. By bringing together scholars and educational leaders for cross-border dialogue and knowledge exchange, the forum has become a forward-looking initiative that leverages higher education to foster national competitiveness and regional sustainable development.
Featured news
USR in NCKU
NCKU’s community engagement in Tainan spans 17 districts and is actively expanding to other counties and cities, extending the University’s social responsibility across Taiwan. Each initiative is grounded in specific social needs, addressing issues related to local development, social structures, and environmental protection through in-depth exploration and practice. The projects follow two main approaches: one based on spatial characteristics, focusing on local sustainable development, and the other on social issues, targeting solutions to the challenges faced by local communities.