To strengthen communication with stakeholders and the public, NPUST publishes a Sustainability Report every two years, disclosing the university’s efforts and performance across four major areas: sustainability governance, financial management, environmental sustainability, and social prosperity. NPUST’s 2022 Sustainability Report received the Gold Award in the University Category at the 2023 16th Taiwan Corporate Sustainability Awards (TCSA), recognizing the university’s outstanding achievements and firm commitment to Environmental (E), Social (S), and Governance (G) performance.
In response to global sustainability trends, NPUST incorporated the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its mid- and long-term institutional development plans beginning in 2015. The university identified four strategic pillars—Technological Agriculture, Eco-Industry, Silver Society, and Sustainable Economy—and adopted the “Production–Ecology–Lifestyle–Health (Three Lives and One Health)” model as its core development strategy. Through these efforts, NPUST has actively advanced sustainability education and talent cultivation, earning significant domestic and international recognition for its ESG performance in recent years.
Governance:
NPUST has repeatedly been recognized for its high-quality institutional governance. It was selected by Cheers magazine as one of the “Top 20 Universities with the Most Improved Performance” in both 2018 and 2020. In the Global Views Monthly university rankings, NPUST ranked 19th nationally and 7th among universities of science and technology in 2018; 19th nationally and 5th in 2019 and 2020; and 20th nationally and 6th in 2021 and 2022—demonstrating consistently strong performance among Taiwan’s 149 higher education institutions.
Environment:
To actively reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the university has invested institutional funds to establish several carbon inventory and circular economy research centers. NPUST has also implemented large-scale afforestation initiatives to enhance carbon sequestration, achieving remarkable outcomes. The university has ranked No. 1 in Taiwan for nine consecutive years in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings. Notably, in 2022, among 1,050 universities across 85 countries, NPUST ranked 27th globally and 3rd in Asia.
Social Responsibility:
NPUST has long been a leader in University Social Responsibility (USR), serving as an important think tank for regional development and a key partner to local communities in rural revitalization. The university has received numerous national recognitions for its work in ecological conservation and the promotion of environmentally friendly farming practices. Key achievements include:
- 2021 – Global Views USR Awards, First Prize in the “Eco-Friendly Group”
- 2022 – First Prize in the “Technical and Vocational Group” (Overall Performance) and Model Award in the “Eco-Friendly Group”
- 2023 – First Prize in the “Green Campus Group” and Model Award in the “Well-being Co-living Group”
These accomplishments reflect the collective dedication of faculty, staff, and students.
President Chang, Chin-Long emphasized that the 2022 Sustainability Report highlights not only the university’s determination and innovation in sustainability practices but also its forward-looking vision and long-term commitment to sustainable development. NPUST will continue advancing the SDGs, expanding its social impact, and inspiring greater public engagement in sustainability—moving society toward a more sustainable future.
