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.

Noting that “the cooperation would bring together the robust agricultural knowledge and resources of both NPUST and Taiwan Sugar”, President Chin-Lung Chang welcomed Taiwan Sugar Chairman Ming-Chang Wu, who once served as Dean of the NPUST College of Agriculture, back to the campus. President Chang also emphasized that “both parties would focus on carbon reduction, smart production, and talent cultivation, and would encourage all colleges to actively participate. We expect that by applying the school’s experimental results to Tai Sugar’s large-scale operations, we can jointly ignite a torch of hope for technological transformation and sustainable development in Taiwan’s agricultural sector.”

Taiwan Sugar Chairman Ming-Chang Wu shared that he “served in NPUST for more than 38 years and has deep feelings and gratitude for the school”. He also emphasized that “Taiwan Sugar’s business operations span biotechnology, livestock, land development and tourism. Not only does it have vast resources and international connections, but also actively invests in research and development, and depends on the professional talent and R&D capabilities of various fields at the university. I sincerely invite teachers from my alma mater to participate in in-depth industry-university cooperation with Taiwan Sugar so we can combine the strengths of both parties, and jointly create fruitful and marketable results, fulfilling social responsibilities, and carrying forward the school’s research and development capabilities.”

The two parties signed the MOC to formalize their shared determination to join hands in the low-carbon transformation effort, and bring into play the strengths of industry and academia cooperation.

Evergreen Lily Elementary School is an indigenous primary school in rural Pingtung that was rebuilt with the support of the Chang Yung-fa Foundation after the village was destroyed by Typhoon Morakot. This activity was held for Evergreen Lily as part of the University Social Responsibility (USR) Practical Aerospace Science Micro-Program designed by the Smart Mechatronics Bachelor Degree Program at NPUST. Professor Hudson Hsu headed up the effort, arranging for students from his department to work with Associate Professor Chia-Wei Hsu of Da-Yeh University and Researcher Hong Bin Chang of NPUST to create course content to teach students about drone flight, design, maintenance, communication, navigation and more. The science teaching aids used in the course were all developed with subsidies from the National Science Council and the Ministry of Education, and underwent rigorous testing by teachers and students to ensure that they were safe, interesting, informative and engaging for young students.

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.

Since first establishing a sister school relationship, NPUST and KU have maintained close cooperation in key areas of mutual academic interest, such as agricultural science, food science, and veterinary medicine. They have also promoted dual-degree programs in the Department of Food Science and the Department of Biomechatronics Engineering, jointly cultivating students with international outlooks and practical skills. The itinerary for the current visit was diverse and substantial, with meetings, results sharing, and guided tours. The KU delegation first met with a number of faculty and students from the Department of Biomechatronics Engineering, during which time both sides shared some of their latest research results and had in-depth discussions on avenues that they would like to pursue for future cooperation. Later, the delegation visited several research laboratories at the Department of Biomechatronics Engineering and learned about their focuses of research. As they were introduced to the work being done, the visitors expressed high appreciation for the achievements that the department has made in the fields of agricultural technology, smart machinery, and bio-mechatronics.

In the past two years, with support from the university and Ministry of Education and the university, the Department of Biomechatronics Engineering has sent ten teachers and students to KU for overseas internships. This year, students from the KU’s Department of Genetics also participated in the Ministry of Education’s Taiwan Experience Education Program and studied at the NPUST Department of Biomechatronics Engineering. The signing of the new version of the MOU reflects the desire that both sides share to continue to work together to start a new phase of closer academic and research cooperation and joint talent cultivation.

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.

Professor Chin-Lung Chang, who is also the president of NPUST, said that “this program originated from the 2017 Taiwan-KMUTT Internship Program (TKIP). In that year, under a Ministry of Education pilot program to send excellent young students to study abroad at renowned organizations, Taiwan University of Science and Technology Alliance members, including NPUST, NTUST and CSU jointly sent 18 students to Thailand for short-term summer internships at businesses in Thailand. The program allowed for enhanced mutual understanding between the young people on both sides and helped promote citizen diplomacy. In the following years, with the efforts of schools from both countries, more than 100 students from the alliance have been sent to Thailand for internships and training. After graduation, these students entered the workforce to become outstanding contributors to international industries in different fields”.

Professor Tien-Chien Chen, Dean of the College of Engineering, said that “internationalization is one of the development priorities of the College of Engineering. Through such overseas internship programs, the academic ties between the two schools can be strengthened. It will help expand students’ international perspectives and lay the foundation for their future development in the global field of engineering”.

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.