The ecological project, a collaboration between our university and Far Glory Life, incorporates academic research concepts. Through in-depth field investigations conducted by a professional ecological research team and the integration of corporate resources into ecological conservation promotion, the project aims to develop environmental public welfare initiatives. Today (12/14), the NPUST x Far Glory Life “Guarding Millions of Owls” project results were presented at our university’s Smart Farm.
President Dai Chang-Hsien stated, “NPUST is an academic research institution, and our involvement in USR social responsibility is quite diverse. Whether in professional research or community engagement, NPUST’s performance in agriculture and ecology is outstanding and socially beneficial. This collaboration with the corporate sector is facilitated through the cross-disciplinary office of the university, aiming to jointly develop environmental public welfare goals. We hope that through this collaboration, more companies will support and respond to ecological initiatives. Currently, the United Nations advocates the practical implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and NPUST has many departments that are suitable for collaboration with environmentally conscious companies.”
Dr. Lin Hui-Shan, a doctoral student from the Wild Animal Conservation Research Institute at NPUST, stated, “At the beginning of the collaboration, it was quite challenging to make a large company unfamiliar with owl conservation understand the basics. We had to start by fostering a basic understanding of owl cognition. It took a whole year to invest resources and support us in finding farmers, installing perches and nesting boxes, gaining recognition for academic research, and jointly planning conservation education in rural campuses. Not only did the headquarters provide volunteer partners, but Far Glory Life’s volunteer teams from the Kaohsiung area also joined in. Through repeated collaborative actions, we were able to generate ideas for other conservation concepts we hope to implement.”
Zhao Xue-Xin, General Manager of Far Glory Life, said, “Far Glory Life is not unfamiliar with NPUST’s dedication to ecological conservation. In the past, NPUST’s handling of rescue matters such as “eagles,” “owls,” and “wild animals” has been quite remarkable. This time, we have the opportunity to use the power of the enterprise to integrate the concepts of volunteer services, rural care, and environmental protection that the company is already doing. Through the joint efforts of the research unit and the marketing and planning department of the company, we can create beautiful sparks of conservation together. We are also looking forward to continuous efforts in the future, so that owl conservation can be gradually recognized by employees and policyholders, forming a cultural awareness of protecting Taiwan’s land and jointly guarding owl conservation.”
Ruan Shi-Zheng from Ajiu Pineapple Farm in Gaoshu Township said, “Originally through the introduction of Taishan Elementary School, the project personnel successively installed perches and nesting boxes in the fields. We also discovered that the ecological environment in the fields is very rich. Of course, we already knew that there are wild boars and eagles in the fields. Now, we have seen more and more different animals through continuous filming. Later, the principal and students of Taishan Elementary School came to the fields to shoot videos and assist in promoting pesticide-free pineapples in the hometown, making the children enjoy and be happy in the fields.”
This owl project is a challenge to introduce research work quietly carried out into the field through the corporate sector. By combining the owl, which symbolizes auspiciousness and wisdom, with the thriving agricultural product, pineapple, the project covers the installation of perches in the field, hanging owl nesting boxes, promoting pesticide-free pineapples in Gaoshu Township, and introducing the concept of reducing the use of rat poison. This allows ecological research, environmental advocacy, and agricultural product gift boxes to play a significant role.
