In his remarks at the ceremony, President Chang stated that “today marks the beginning of a cooperative relationship between OIRSA and NPUST in which we will be working together for academic exchange and the innovation and advancement of agricultural technology. By establishing this partnership, we are taking an important step towards the enhancement of practical international agricultural development. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration and the fostering of deeper connections and closer friendships.”

Panama disease (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.cubense) Tropical race 4, also referred to as “Foc TR4”, is a serious threat to the global banana industry as it can result in enormous economic loss. To address this challenge, NPUST is working the Taiwan Banana Research Institute to train dogs to detect Foc TR4 pathogens and improve disease monitoring while also promoting the sustainable development of the global banana industry.

The Central American Regional International Organization for Agricultural Health (OIRSA) was founded in 1953 and is committed to improving the health the public through agricultural product safety and epidemic prevention in nine Central American member countries (Belize, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, El Salvador, Mexico and Costa Rica). For the current initiative, OIRSA is supporting the NPUST Department of Tropical Agriculture and the Working Dog Training Center through grants which will be used for research on Panama disease detection. Hopes are that this new partnership, will lead to more innovative applications of agricultural science and technology and contribute concrete results to the sustainable development of the global banana industry.

One of the technologies published was an intelligent carbon reducing rice farming method that promotes ecological diversity. This “Rice Probiotic Enhanced Cultivation System” is able to solve many challenges in the rice production process, such wasted irrigation water, excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, greenhouse gas emissions, and labor demand. Not only is their method able to reduce the burden on environmental resources, but by improving the health of the soil and the natural ecosystem, it also promotes ecological diversity in the area around the field.

The second contribution was a “Smart Water Quality Detection Robot”, which operates via wireless remote control. Through the remote monitoring technology, the system is able to provide effective solutions to the aquaculture industry, which needs to keep continuous tabs on water quality in order to maintain healthy breeding environments.

The third research published combines agricultural greenhouse light filter films with modern energy technology. The innovative technology is able to achieve a win-win situation by striking a balance between solar energy production and agricultural cultivation, thereby improving production efficiency and the nutritional value of many crops, while also contributing to circular economy goals.

NPUST, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, has demonstrated diverse and profound achievements in new research and development, circular economy, sustainable farming methods, innovative net-zero technologies, materials, services and products over the years, and expectations are that their innovative technologies will help provide solutions for sustainable development and environmental protection in Taiwan and around the world.

Working on water-saving rice irrigation technology for more than ten years, the NPUST team created a System of Probiotics and Rice Intensification (SPRI) which combines probiotics and rice water-saving irrigation techniques into a sustainable rice cultivation approach that uses more organic matter, more probiotics, less seedlings, less pesticides, less water and less manpower.

At present, if the agricultural method were to be applied to 170,000 hectares of paddy fields in Taiwan, every year it could save five times the amount of water that is contained in the Zengwen Reservoir while increasing rice production by about 20%. The application of SPRI could also reduce carbon dioxide emissions (CO2e) by 70%. This amounts to approximately 1.8 million metric tons per year—which is equivalent to that of the electricity consumption of 1 million households in Taiwan. Furthermore, when only organic fertilizers are used during production, it can increase the carbon pool of the soil.

With richer resistant starches, the high-quality rice produced using the SPRI method not only can provide consumers with a practical means of participating in water conservation and greenhouse gas reduction, but by purchasing such products they can put individual social responsibility to practice by protecting the environment.

The goal of achieving “net zero carbon emissions” by 2050 has been adopted by many countries around the world in the effort to mitigate global warming. Now, thanks to the ten plus years of hard work by the International Irrigation R&D Service Center at NPUST, the probiotic rice intensified cultivation processes is already being used in large-scale rice production in Taiwan and helping to achieve this goal. The rice produced via this process is also being used to make high-value products such as germinated brown rice and brown rice extract skin care products. At the venue, the exchanges and sharing which took place between businesses and schools resonated broadly, and it is believed that through such approaches as low-carbon rice cultivation and water resources protection, NPUST will be able to use its own brand of development to contribute to the SDG initiative and it them become a reality.

As the university continues its 100-year mission of cultivating people, it also working to increase energy and information technology related research and educational activities. To facilitate these things, four major teaching and R&D centers have been constructed over the past several years and are now ready to begin official operations, including the Smart Agriculture Center, the AI Machinery Hall, the Big Data Center, and the Center for Sustainable R&D. Through the R&D conducted by the teams representing these centers together with support from Phihong Technology Co. and Phoenix Battery, NPUST has been invested in the development of green energy, and has already donated NT$40 million worth of electric vehicles and rapid charging stations and lithium batteries in an effort to give back to society.

On June 16, an opening ceremony was held to inaugurate the four centers, with Chairman Chungmin Lin of Phihong Technology, Deputy General Manager Ching-shui Hsue of Phoenix Battery and President Chang-Hsien Tai of NPUST signing a strategic alliance agreement with the stated mission of developing renewable energy. The opening ceremony of the four centers was held at the NPUST Center for Sustainable R&D and was jointly chaired by Director General Yu-Huei Yang the Department of Technological and Vocational Education (MOE), Legislative Member Chun-mi Chou and NPUST President Chang-Hsien Tai. Heads of various agencies and associations, as well as academics and industry leaders participated in the grand event.

Director General Yu-Huei Yang remarked in her speech that “the most valuable aspect of technology universities is that they are places where teachers and students can take part in discussions and practice together. Through industry-university cooperation, these schools can cultivate talent and effectively work towards solving problems. Under the leadership of President Chang-Hsien Tai, for the past eight years NPUST has not only continuously been the top green university in Taiwan, but has also branched out from the field of agricultural production to engage in cross-disciplinary R&D and education for smart production and sustainable circular economies. We are also grateful to Phihong Technology Co. and Phoenix Battery for demonstrating the spirit of corporate social responsibility. I hope that through the advanced research and development of the students and with the solid training they receive, future industries and enterprises will be able to overcome and resolve the challenges that we currently face”.

NPUST President Chang-Hsien Tai said “in the past, NPUST has always been associated with tropical agricultural. But we have made R&D progress in many areas outside the field of agriculture, including in energy, industry, and big data analysis. Today, as we jointly inaugurate these four centers, we will not only be providing students with richer opportunities to learn skills which line up with industry needs, but will also be able to work towards fulfilling the corresponding sustainable development goals. And finally, we that these major construction projects, will provide students with tools for better development in the future”.

Legislative Member Chun-mi Chou said in her speech that “NPUST’s contribution to agriculture in Pingtung is obvious to all. And in addition to its excellent academics, R&D, and technical instruction in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and animal husbandry, the university has also contributed a great deal to the agriculture industry in Taiwan, which is why we hope to continue to work together, and cultivate more talent for Pingtung in the future”.

The Center for Sustainable R&D, which is dedicated to development in renewable energy and circular economies, is composed of teams working on advanced green energy technology, circular economy value creation, biomass energy recycling, and sustainable technology. The advanced green energy technology laboratory, for instance, is working on solar photovoltaics, solar thermal energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, wave energy and other renewable energy and applying their technology to systems which can supply the electricity and heat needed by the laboratories as they work to develop circular economy technology. In this way they are able to reduce power consumption in situations where large amount of heat is required, such as with the production of biomass pellets. Meanwhile, the Environmental Sustainability Animal Husbandry Technology laboratory is working on livestock barn wastewater aeration and high power odor scrubbers. The renewable energy produced by the Center for Sustainable R&D can be connected in series to reduce energy conversion losses and increase production efficiency. The center’s four research laboratories support one another and integrate their production as they work towards applying these technologies to the industry in the future and enhance sustainable competitiveness.

The Smart Agriculture Center focuses on the development of smart unmanned vehicles and rail vehicle systems. From research and development, design analysis, manufacturing, and assembly, the teachers and students of the Department of Vehicle Engineering conduct the entire processes. Their work has already resulted in the production of a number of intelligent unmanned agricultural vehicles. These tools can help get work done in rural areas with aging populations, and can also be used to collect data for big data analysis so that students can work towards better industry integration.

The AI Machinery Hall at the Professional College is focused on meeting industry needs and equipping students with skills through a number of different courses in Artificial Intelligence, electro-mechanics, robot engineering, and automated agriculture. The facilities provide all students in the university with an opportunity to take part in cross-discipline learning or take tests for professional licenses.

The Big Data Center was established in 2020 for the main purpose of providing teachers and students with services related to big data research, and it facilitates with data collection, analysis and application. It has already set up an Internet of Things (IoT) platform, and systems to conduct veterinary X-ray image analysis and information collection. And in cooperation with Compal Computer Medical Software System, they have established an electronic medical records system for pets, developed artificial joins for dogs, and conducted other projects which are now serving in industry applications.

3D printing is one of the key technologies used to promote “Industry 4.0” and “Digital Manufacturing”. It is also an important tool for smart machine innovation. In 2020, NPUST established the 3D Printing Center as a place for learning and conducting research. Using the facility, elective courses offered by the Professional College to interested students. Already 81 people from 22 departments and 5 colleges have participated in the course, and 2 of them have obtained a “3D Digital Manufacturing Cross-domain Micro-learning Course Certificate”.

NPUST is the oldest agricultural university in southern Taiwan. In addition to its continuous pursuit of optimal technology for agriculture, forestry, fisheries and animal husbandry industries, the university has given priority forward-looking global sustainable development goals. With the four newly established centers on campus, not only will the school be able to further the century long mission of ‘cultivation through education’, but it will also be able to produce the talent needed by the country and world the years ahead. Hopes are that students will not only strengthen their professional quality, but also develop minds to care for the land and cherish resources—and continue with the cultivation of the next generation.