In response to the challenges of rapid global biodiversity degradation and rural habitat fragmentation, the Institute of Wildlife Conservation at National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST) has been collaborating with Farglory Life Insurance to promote the “Protecting Every Owl” initiative since 2021. Through scientific research, habitat creation, educational outreach, and friendly agricultural practices, the initiative aims to establish a model of collaboration between academia and industry which promotes ecological sustainability. A presentation of the results was held at 9:30 a.m. on July 11 (2025) at NPUST, co-hosted by NPUST President Chin-Lung Chang and Farglory Life Insurance General Manager Hsue-Hsin Chao. The presentation showcased the remarkable achievements of the initiative and high value of interdisciplinary collaboration between academia and industry when it comes to protecting local ecosystems. 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.

In the face of global climate change and net-zero carbon emissions challenges, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST) and Taiwan Sugar Corporation officially signed a “Memorandum of Cooperation on Low-Carbon Agriculture and Sustainable Land Use” on June 20th (2025). Under the MOC, which was signed by NPUST president Chin-Lung Chang and Taiwan Sugar Chairman Ming-Chang Wu, the two parties will combine academic research and practical experience with “low-carbon production and sustainable use of resources”. More specifically speaking, they will use Taiwan Sugar Corporation farms as test platforms for water resource management, energy-saving irrigation, low-carbon farming and other technologies developed by NPUST. A standardized operation model will be used to build a demonstration field for low-carbon agriculture, and together they will promote research and technological innovation, carbon management strategies, the reuse of resources and green circular economies.

Factors such as poaching and demand for traditional Chinese medicine have caused global pangolin populations to declined rapidly or even disappeared in some parts of the world. However, thanks to conservation efforts in Taiwan in recent years, its local pangolin populations have become much more stable. Nevertheless, since pangolin habitats are mostly distributed in low-lying mountain areas, they still face many threats to survival, including intrusion by stray dogs, habitat degradation, or traps set for other animals. Therefore, with the support of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) and the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), a research team headed up by Assistant Professor Ching-Min Sun of the NPUST Institute of Wildlife Conservation has been deeply engaged in research on the pangolin’s unique way of life so that they can provide more specific conservation recommendations to concerned parties. Through their work, a radio tracking network and community reporting mechanism has been established, and the team has been able to gain valuable insight on the pangolins’ range of activities, population size and reproductive status. Also, for the very first time, the team has been able to evaluate the pangolin’s ability to raise offspring after losing a tail and observe the challenges it faces in the process.

The 2025 Soil and Water Conservation Month—Soil and Water Conservation Festival was held at the Pingtung V.I.P Zone (Shenglixing Village) on May 17, 2025. The event was hosted by the Pingtung County Government, the Tainan Branch of the Agency of Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation, and the Soil and Water Conservation Department. National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST) also enthusiastically participated in the activities and set up booths for visitors to enjoy. In total, 21 promotional booths were carefully arranged to bring entertaining and educational experiences to the public, and provide both young and old with scientific knowledge on soil and water conservation and sustainable rural practices.

Watt Solid State Lighting CO., LTD. recently donated 14 smart LED street lights to National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST) to help brighten up the campus at night. The street lights, which were installed around the Department of Plant Industry and the Department of Plant Medicine, received positive feedback from teachers and students who said that they made walking on campus at night safer and more convenient.

The Department of Soil and Water Conservation held a results presentation for its graduating students on May 8th, 2025. A total of 15 student teams participated in the event, carefully displaying the results of the research and practical projects they have been working hard on for the past two years. The content covered a variety of fields such as remote sensing, ecological restoration, water resources management, carbon sequestration and more. The rich subject matter was a clear reflection of the solid foundation the Department of Soil and Water Conservation is laying for its students through professional training and practical learning. In the afternoon, a poster presentation was held in the lobby of the Library and Exhibition Hall to share research motivations, methods, results, and applications. The team members actively communicated with the teachers, students and other visitors to the to the exhibit, explaining in detail the subject matter and research procedures. The event was an excellent opportunity to witness the professional qualities and excellent communication skills the graduating students have honed during their time at the university. The solid reports which were put together by the fifteen groups this year explored a variety of issues. One group covered terrain stability and disaster prevention strategies with consideration given to landslide risk and slope debris. At another presentation, visitors learned how the students used HEC RAS ​​to simulate dam breaches and the hydrological characteristics of various rivers. Several students presented on the ecological effects that soil adhesives or viscoplasticizers have on plant germination rates, while another team showed how they used AI (ChatGPT) to generate drainage ditch design software. With many other interesting topics on display, the exhibit was not only a summary of the students’ academic journey, but also a solid demonstration of the way in which the Department of Soil and Water Conservation is cultivating talent with practical research capabilities. Expectations are that graduates will continue to develop themselves in the future and apply what they have learned to make substantial contributions to society and the environment.