CAMPUS ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION

The morning featured a campus ecological education tour, where NPUST guides led attending faculty and student representatives to visit the renowned Pingtung Rescue Center, which plays a vital role in both education and research activities.

Since its establishment in 1992, the center has provided care for over 5,000 animals and currently houses nearly a thousand individuals and approximately 100 species of protected wildlife. Covering an area of about 2.5 hectares, the Rescue Center boasts comprehensive medical and animal care facilities which are used to assist the government in handling endangered and controlled wildlife. It stands as a crucial wildlife conservation base in Taiwan, disseminating knowledge about wildlife protection and proper animal husbandry through activities such as public visits, volunteer training, and summer camps.

SHARED GOVERNANCE AND COLLABORATION

The afternoon agenda focused on two major themes: “Thematic Sharing” and “Working Group Reports.” During the thematic sharing session, Director Yao-Ming Hong of the NDHU Sustainable Development Center and Director Yun-Tzu Chang of the NTUST Construction and Maintenance Division shared their universities’ practical experiences in energy conservation, discussing concrete measures for campus energy management and sustainable facility improvements.

Covering the topic of biodiversity, Hsiao-Lang Wang of the NTU Office of Sustainability and Director Hsin-Yi Wu of the NCU Office of Sustainable Development and Social Responsibility discussed strategies for safeguarding ecological diversity, sharing their approaches and achievements in campus ecological maintenance and ecological diversity promotion.

During the “Working Group Reports”, NTOU led the session on Sustainable Curriculum with Director Wen-Jer Chang of their Center for Social Responsibility Practice and Sustainable Development presenting on the topic. In his presentation, he shared on the university’s practical experiences and outcomes in sustainable curriculum design and teaching innovation. Looking at the topic of Campus Greenhouse Gas Inventory, Administrative Specialist Cheng-Che Lee of NTNU’s Sustainable Development Center reported on the progress and experiences of member universities in conducting campus-wide greenhouse gas inventories.

The annual meeting helps foster communication among members and gives participants an opportunity to explore different pathway for implementing sustainable university campus governance together.

ABOUT THE ALLIANCE

The Taiwan University Alliance for Sustainable Governance was established in 2022, jointly initiated by nine national universities: NPUST, NTU, NTNU, NTUST, NTOU, NCU, NCHU, NSYSU, and NDHU. The Alliance aims to build a network for exchange among higher education institutions, enabling them to shoulder the responsibility for university sustainable development and social commitment. Through continuous experience sharing and collaborative dialogue, the Alliance seeks to expand the influence of Taiwan’s higher education in the field of sustainable development and create a solid foundation for Taiwan’s sustainable future.

The “Protecting Every Owl” project was launched in 2021 by Professor Yuan-Shiuan Suen’s team at the NPUST Institute of Wildlife Conservation. The team has long been engaged in practical work, such as raptor monitoring, nest box installation, field inspections, and teaching material development. Over the last several years, more students have joined the team, helping to expand the work from the university campus to elementary schools and diverse rural settings, assisting with habitat restoration and cross-discipline communication. The team’s work has been an excellent example of the profound power of academic continuity and local practice. By the end of 2024, the project had installed over 100 owl nest boxes in farmlands in Gaoshu, Pingtung; Dongshan, Tainan; and Wufeng, Taichung. They also documented 53 successful breeding cases, with some locations having maintained stable breeding for four consecutive years. Over 100 Farglory Life corporate volunteers participated in nest box painting, farmland inspections, base visits, and the sourcing of non-toxic agricultural products, and together, they are gradually integrating ecological issues into corporate culture and life values.

In addition to carrying out on-site conservation work, the NPUST team has been holding lectures and experiential courses for farmers and young students. They also designed a series of picture books and teaching kits, including “When You Become an Owl” and “The Coexistence of Raptors and Agriculture”. By participating in the project, NPUST students have gained valuable experience collaborating with businesses, gained deeper understandings of ESG and sustainable governance, and honed practical cross-disciplinary skills.

In its fifth year this year, “Protecting Every Owl” project entered is now led by Assistant Professor Shiao-Yu Hong of the Institute of Wildlife Conservation and Hui-shan Lin, a doctoral student in the Biological Resources Program of the College of Agriculture. This year, the project team was also recognized at the sixth Global Views Magazine USR Awards, receiving the Model Award in the “Ecological Common Good” Category—a clear indication of the positive impact that their joint efforts are having on ecological conservation and social engagement.

NPUST’s president, Chin-Lung Chang, said in his speech at the opening ceremony: “I hope that through this experience camp, our young friends from Malaysia can feel the enthusiasm and professionalism of educators at National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, and I hope that everyone will be able to develop a clearer understanding of the direction they would like to take in the future”. President Chin-Lung Chang emphasized that NPUST attaches great importance to the professional development and cultivation of young international talent.

The subject matter of the experience camp was rich and diverse with many exciting activities planned out, including a “DNA Magic Board Game” by the Department of Biotechnology, “Healthy Fermented Food Production” by the Department of Tropical Agriculture and International Cooperation, “Biological Print Making” and “Clownfish Breeding” by the Department of Aquaculture, “Seed Painting and Soil Plant Environmental Art” by the Department of Plant Industry and much, much more.  

At the completion ceremony and exhibition on June 7, students worked in groups to present their completed works and the short videos they made during the camp. Together they demonstrated their creativity and teamwork through entertaining presentations that brought much laughter and applause to the scene. One student from Kuala Lumpur shared, saying “this was the first time I have been away from Malaysia for so long, and it is also my first time to step into a university in Taiwan. Through the courses over the past few days, I have developed a strong interest in environmental sustainability, and I hope to have the opportunity to study at National Pingtung University of Science and Technology in the future”. The students in the experience camp were very grateful to the Office of International Affairs for organizing such an interesting and meaningful event, and they were also happy to also have the opportunity to meet students from different states in Malaysia and become friends.

The event promoted cultural understanding and exchange between Taiwan and Malaysia, and also created a pathway for Malaysian students to explore Taiwan’s higher education. The Office of International Affairs stated that it will continue to deepen cooperation with schools in Malaysia, expand diverse channels for international admissions, and invite more outstanding students from overseas to experience the academic charm of NPUST.

NPUST’s president, Chin-Lung Chang, attended the press conference to announce the success of the National Practical Project Competition. He said that “technical and vocational education is an important driver of Taiwan’s industrial and economic development. In order for students to put what they have learned into practice and verify market trends and needs, NPUST continues to encourage them to participate in the national technical and vocational school practical production competitions. Through the current competition, the students were able to closely connect with the industry and put into practice the concept of ‘pragmatic and useful’ technical and vocational education”.

The project which won the first place in the “Energy and Environmental Protection Group” was entitled “TuckiTuck – Recycling and Reuse of Wooden Furniture Waste”. For this project, under the joint guidance of Professor Ming-Feng Wang and Professor Way Long of the Department of Wood Science and Design, students used fiberboard materials from discarded furniture to increase fiberboard recycling rates, achieve multiple cycles of recycling, reduce the use of new materials, reduce resource waste, and promote a sustainable circular economy model.

The “PIÉTON – Research on the Development of Biomimetic Leather Film Using Bacterial Cellulose” project won second place in the “Energy and Environmental Protection Group”. In this project, which was supervised by Professor Tung-Lin Wu from the Department of Wood Science and Design, the student team developed a bio-fiber material from renewable resources as a substitute leather. After market research, it was found that although the product still has different properties from commercially available leather, the plasticity, touch, and other properties of the material hold potential in the faux-leather market.

The “Birds Arrive Home – Establishing an Ecologically Restorative and Mutually Beneficial Economic Model”, which won the second place in the “Business Group”, was developed under the guidance of Professor Zaou-Jun Deng of the Department of Wood Science and Design. This project brings science to the public by providing people with an understanding of mountain sparrows and getting them involved in conservation by instructing them how to make and set up nest boxes, then participate in subsequent observations. A webpage also provides the public with instant notifications about the arrival of the birds, thereby heightening awareness and the experience of active participation. Thanks to the training provided by NPUST’s higher education project for innovation and entrepreneurship and the Ministry of Education’s innovation and entrepreneurship education project, the team’s work is now highly mature, and by raising funds through short videos on educational platforms, they have successfully demonstrated the ability to integrate wood science and business models.

Professor Tai-Sheng Su from the Department of Industrial Management oversaw the team which developed a “Solar-Powered Smart Beehive” with monitoring and identification capabilities. For their work, the team was awarded third place in the “Business Group”. By collecting research data on bee ecology and allowing for real-time monitoring of bee colony conditions with precise management and controls, the team’s work is able to make significant contributions to the beekeeping industry.

Finally, a team led by Professor Hsu-Yang Kung and Professor Jian-Liang Pan from the Department of Information Management won the Excellence Award in the “Information Engineering and Communications Group” for a multimodal AI system that they developed to detect and warn against pests and diseases in agriculture. By combining imaging, acoustics and other environmental sensors, the system uses AI to analyze the number pests and their behavior and provide real-time monitoring and prevention recommendations. This way they are able to reducing the impact of pests and diseases and contribute to the transition to smart agriculture and sustainable development.

Vice-Dean Ya Ling Wu explained that “recently, major traffic accidents have occurred on and off campus. So, please stay alert at all times, keep your speed down, and ensure your own personal safety when riding motorcycles”. Wu also thanked Chief Yi-Lung Kuo of the Neipu Branch of the County Police Department, Pingtung County Police Department Foreign Affairs Section Chief Wu-Hsuan Lo and his staff, and the Maternal and Child Health Section and the Traffic Section of the Neipu Police Branch for visiting the school and assisting with the promotional activities.

Division Chief Kuo pointed out to the students that the among the top ten accident-prone intersections, four are located along Shoubi Road and one is on Keda Road (two main roads connecting the campus to the outside world). He called on everyone to pay attention to driving safety, to not drive without a license, and to slow down—as speed is a major factor in accidents.

The traffic safety and anti-fraud presentation for overseas students was proved by Officer Chia-Yun Chen from the Foreign Affairs Division of the Pingtung County Police Department. She reminded the students to protect their personal belongings at all times—such as laptops, wallets, passports, motorcycles— to prevent them from falling into the hands of thieves.

The Stalking and Harassment Prevention Act was also an important item of attention. Officer Chen explained the definition of stalking and harassment to the students, covering the eight behavioral patterns of stalking and harassment. She also explained the procedures used by the police to handle cases, including penalties and court-issued protection orders.

Regarding traffic safety regulations, it was explained to the overseas students that they can exchange their international driver’s licenses for a driver’s license valid for up to one year, but after that, they will need to pass an exam to obtain a local driver’s license—and they shouldn’t drive without a license. For light electric scooters, licenses are not required, but riders still need to wear a helmet and obey traffic regulations.

The officer also warned the international students about fraud, explaining that if they are to encounter any suspicious business activities while working, they should report it to the school security or police. They should also never pay money in exchange for a job opportunity, or give their passport or residence permit to their employer for safekeeping. The students were also warned to never trust high-return investments or singe-page website ads, and they should be aware of and on guard against telephone scams.

At the end of the safety seminar, the police officers held a quiz with prizes, asking questions like whether a driver’s license is required for light electric motorcycles, what the anti-fraud hotline is, what should you do if you lose your wallet, and where the nearest police station is. The activity offered good insight for students new to Taiwan—and thanks to the clear explanations provided by the officers, they will be better equipped to face certain legal issues that they could potentially encounter during their time here.

The day’s experiences were kicked off by Professor Po-Lun Hou from the Department of Wood Science and Design with a unique ceramic print making activity, during which the youngsters kneaded, pinched and shaped clay in an amazing burst of concentration. After this, teacher Chia-Chun Ku from the Research Center put on a “Rice Party”, showing the young students how to knead glutinous rice balls, wrap fillings, and press them into molds to make traditional Hakka red tortoise cake. After the fragrant cakes came out of the steamer, Associate Professor Hsiu-Tsu Chen from the Department of Fashion Design and Management used a creative “Clay Photo Frame Decoration” activity to unleash the children’s imagination and creativity. The finale was organized by teachers from the Department of Biotechnology, who brought two fascinating scientific experiences that explored the mysteries of life by looking at “Cell Division” and “Genetically Modified Frogs”.

In addition to the experience activities put on by the teachers, NPUST alumnus company Benison and Co., Ltd., the Department of Aquaculture, and the Department of Plant Industry arranged a “Rice, Fish & Vegetables Let You Fall in Love with Food” activity to help children understand healthy eating, the sources of food, and the hard work that takes place behind every bite of food we take.   After the activities came to an end, the children’s reluctance to leave was a clear reflection of the work and care that NPUST puts into its USR programs. These programs, which have also been received with enthusiasm by alumni entrepreneurs, are a product of the energy that the university is investing in the future of children and its desire to irrigate the roots of culture and the nourish the buds of education in the hearts of the young.

A number of lectures, paper presentations, and AI creative competitions were scheduled throughout the day, with the four keynote lectures including: “AI Sustainable City”, “AI and Gender Equality”, “Generating Music with Suno AI”, and “Generative AI and Literature”. The seminar saw enthusiastic participation with 196 submissions coming in from the university group and 33 submissions from the high school group, making for 229 contributions in total. After evaluation, 10 works from each group were selected for exhibition and on-site voting.

Commenting on the trends in AI and education, Vice President for Academic Affairs Shui-jen Chen said, “if general education wants to keep pace with the times, it must actively embrace AI technology and creatively work to incorporate generative tools in the humanities so that the next generation of students will not only be able to use technology, but also be able to think deeply about its meaning and impact.” Chairman Zuway-R Hong of the Taiwan Congress on College General Education also pointed out that “improving workplace competitiveness for college students is an important aim and undertaking for university teachers—so we must seize the opportunities of this new AI era”. For visitors to the NPUST campus, Director Tin-Yu Wu of the Department of Information Management was also invited to introduce the AI-enabled Smart Computing Classroom which was newly established on campus to help NPUST apply AI to its “Intelligence Agriculture” (IA) development goal.

The seminar focused on the cross-domain integration of general education in the AI ​​era. Through the four main sessions participants deeply explored the applications and challenges of AI technology when it comes to sustainable development, arts and cultural creation, general education, and cultural classics. Topics covered AI-led sustainable urban transformation, gender equality and legal observation, the use of AI-generated music in teaching, and the ways in which AI can assist with the innovative interpretation of classical literature, making it clear that AI is not only a tool for technological innovation, but also an important opportunity to stimulate reflection in education and the humanities. Through the quality lectures, the participants were able to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between technology and human values, and the diversified development paths that are unfolding for general education in the future. This seminar also demonstrated the forward-looking vision and practical capabilities of NPUST when it comes to the integration of AI and the humanities, and it was an opportunity to promote cross-domain dialogue and set an innovative example for the development of higher education in southern Taiwan.

Professor Wen-Ling Shih said, “this University Social Responsibility project focuses on the Makatao people in Pingtung, and is actually more concerned with issues related to the recognition of Pingpu ethnic groups, so it is necessary to get an understanding of a diversity of ethnic cultures. The Tracing the Pingpu course brings teachers and students on visits to the National Museum of Taiwan History, the National Museum of Prehistory in Tainan, and also to the Tribe of Liuzhong Creek in Baihe District. This time, we also joined hands with the elders of Laopi Village to go to the Siaolin Tribe in Kaohsiung to participate in an event with them. This is to gradually build an understanding of the knowledge systems of aboriginal culture and extend the resilience of education”.

Chia-Chun Ku, instructor of the Chinese Food Culture course, said: “we are very fortunate to be able to participate in the 11th Taivoan Cultural Song and Dance Festival as part of the Tracing the Pingpu practical curriculum. The annual ‘Forbidden Way’ ceremony needs to place focus on farming to reflect the connection between climate and ethnic culture. The Siaolin Tribe has experienced typhoons and migrations, and through the theater performances of the Daman Dance Troupe and the villagers, the tribe’s people are working together to fight and regain the light. This year’s theme is ‘Embracing the Land’, which connotes the idea of returning to the roots. Participants can immerse themselves in the guided tours, markets, theaters and rituals. It is a very rich cultural festival”.

“Participation” and “observation” are important aspects of cultural research, and are the basis of the Tracing the Pingpu project. The teachers, students and community partners who led the courses walked together with the Siaolin Tribe, exploring cross-ethnic dialogues, rituals, creative works and industries. In this way they could get an understanding of the way in which the Siaolin Tribe rethought their existence and way of life after relocation. These things resonate quite heavily with the “Project for Shaping Cultural Resilience and Constructing Sustainable Economics within the Makatao Tribe’s Healthy Agricultural Industry”. The observations allowed team members and community partners to access different fields of learning, and they look forward to inspiring unique activities and performances for cultural transmission in the future so that Makatao culture can also return to the stage.

The Pakistan and Indonesian student unions warmly invited all Muslim students and their families to attend the Iftar gathering, so that they could embrace the blessings of Ramadan and share the joy of the holy month together. According to the National Religious Information Network, Eid al-Fitr is scheduled for the 1st day of the 10th month on the Islamic calendar. The festival is a time for Muslims to celebrate the end of Ramadan, which falls on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. One of the two most important annual holidays in Islam is the month of Ramadan. During this month, which is a month of fasting, Muslims can normally only eat after dusk and before sunrise, but must stop eating from sunrise to sunset each day. When the month is over, the Eid al-Fitr celebration follows.

During the activities, which were carefully planned out by the Pakistani and Indonesian student unions, the participants prayed piously on mats to celebrate the beginning the festival, and they enjoyed a delicious feast full of hometown flavors together with their schoolmates and family—making for a time full of blessings and joy. At NPUST, the Office of International Affairs shows great consideration for both the studies and lives of its foreign students, and hopes by organizing various cultural activities and festivals, the students can feel the warmth of home while studying in Taiwan, and NPUST’s local students can also get acquainted with the diverse cultures the school’s foreign students.

President Chin-Lung Chang expressed his pleasure in receiving the visiting delegation, pointing out that the relationship between NPUST and Malaysia dates back to 1963, when the university first established the Overseas Youth Vocational Training School in accordance with the overseas Chinese education policy. Over the years, the school cultivated many classes of Malaysian students and currently there are 26 students from Malaysia enrolled in NPUST’s Department of Plant Industry and Department of Tropical Agriculture Department. After graduation, they can choose to continue their studies or return home to apply their knowledge and strengths in the field and build bridges for agricultural development between the two countries, and even the rest of the world. Our Malaysian alumni have done very well in various sectors. For example, Mr. Cheong-Beng Lai, the former president of the NPUST Malaysian Alumni Association, has gone on to become the managing director of an agriculture trading company and Mr. Siew Tick Chai, the current president of the NPUST Malaysian Alumni Association, won the 2023 Overseas Community Affairs Council ‘s Global Outstanding Overseas Chinese Alumni Award. We are proud to say that Mr. Twang Fui Boo, who is president of the Batu Pahat Alumni Association in Taiwan and Ching-Zeng Lo, who is known as the Malaysian Prince of Dried Fruits, are also alumni of NPUST.

The president of the Federation of Alumni, King Hoe Pang, praised NPUST for its high-quality education and for being a leader in Taiwan’s agriculture sector—and he thanked the school for its efforts in cultivating Malaysian students. During the meeting, in addition to learning about the school’s achievements in Smart agriculture and cross-disciplinary research and development, the guests were interested in discussing the continuation of the Overseas Youth Vocational Training School, the holding of overseas master’s courses and the acquisition of veterinary certifications. They expressed their hopes to see more Malaysian students benefit from NPUST’s high-quality education, to which the school’s teachers also expressed support. After the meeting, the delegation visited the Department of Wood Science and Design, Smart Agriculture Center, and the Staff and Student Consumer Cooperative. Within the limited time of exchange, the leaders and members of the Alumni Association gained a lot and were left with very positive impression about the school.