For the past several years, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST) has been actively promoting various ‘sustainable development’ related measures as part of its effort to help implement Taiwan’s sustainable development goals and achieve its 2050 net-zero emission objective. This year, the university was a candidate for the Executive Yuan’s 2023 Annual National Sustainability Development Award on account of its “Smart Agriculture Sustainable Development Plan”. After the rigorous preliminary review of the plan and an on-site briefing consultation and examination, NPUST stood out among the contenders and won this year’s award in the Education category. On November 30, President Chin-Lung Chang personally accepted the award, which was presented by Taiwan’s Premier, Chen Chien-jen.

NPUST has made many outstanding achievements in its effort to promote Taiwan’s sustainable development goals. For example, it was the first partner of the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative among domestic technical and vocational colleges in Taiwan. Professor Meihui Chen and her team have played a leading role on this front through their work with 11 rural communities in Pingtung and the assistance they are providing them with the development of various sustainable economic activities. In addition to being a two-time first place ‘Action Plan’ winner at the National Sustainable Development Awards twice, her team has also won the National Environmental Education Award, the Ministry of Education USR EXPO ‘Best Practices’ Award, the Youth Community Engagement Initiative “Actor Group” gold medal and many more.

In response to Taiwan’s 2050 net-zero emissions goals NPUST established its “Tropical Organic Agriculture Net-Zero and Carbon Sequestration Promotion Office” which now provides guidance to agriculture and forestry industries on how to achieve carbon reduction goals at lower costs. Research across the university is continuously taking into account related targets and working to find innovative ways to move in the right direction, whether it be vehicle engineering or animal husbandry, waste treatment or materials utilization, NPUST is finding innovative ways to improve the environment and educate students on sustainability.

NPUST President Chin-Lung Chang said “this National Sustainable Development Award for Education not only affirms our school’s work in sustainable development, but also tributes the unremitting efforts of all of our teachers and students. Our school will continue to expand on and deepen sustainable education through innovation and the continuous practice of Environmental Sustainability, Social Responsibility, and School Governance. In this way we will cultivate outstanding talent who follow sustainable ways of thinking and who, as global citizens, will work together to build a better future.”