NCYU Advances Inter-University Sustainability Learning through the Taiwan Urban University Platform

On November 26, 2024, National Chiayi University (NCYU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with six public universities to launch the “Taiwan Urban University Platform.” This alliance enables cross-institutional teaching collaborations, course-sharing, faculty exchanges, and interdisciplinary project development, supporting SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).  NCYU’s flagship initiative, the “Chiayi Cultural Tour” curriculum, incorporates 26 courses and 23 field-based routes that explore local culture, ecology, and sustainability themes, thereby aligning with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 4.7 (Education for Sustainable Development). Through this platform, universities across Taiwan work together to develop a "Taiwan Studies" program, promote student mobility, and implement regional sustainability projects.  The platform exemplifies NCYU’s commitment to inclusive, place-based education, fulfilling its University Social Responsibility (USR) while building a resilient educational ecosystem that responds to local needs and global sustainability goals.

NCYU Develops Organic Agriculture Talent through Extensive Training Program Supporting Green Transition

In August 2024, National Chiayi University (NCYU) organized an intensive two-week training program on six major types of organic and eco-friendly agricultural practices, totaling 96 instructional hours. Over 1,500 people registered, with more than 1,200 attending in person. The training covered cultivation, pest control, fertilization, water and weed management, business operations, and marketing strategies across vegetables, rice, grains, fruits, melons, and tea crops.  This large-scale program, supported by Taiwan’s Agriculture and Food Agency, aligns with SDG 2.4 (sustainable food production systems), SDG 12 (responsible production), and SDG 13 (climate action) by advocating for environmentally friendly cultivation and agricultural innovation. Experts from across Taiwan shared best practices, and course topics included digital tools, branding, and entrepreneurial strategies—linking knowledge with practical value.  NCYU reported high diversity among participants, ranging in age from 15 to 82, with 80% holding college degrees or above and over 70% being agricultural professionals. The program’s broad appeal underscores the role of lifelong learning (SDG 4.7) and youth engagement (SDG 8.6) in the green transformation of agriculture. As a regional hub for organic agriculture, NCYU continues to promote professional capacity-building and practical integration of sustainable farming techniques across Taiwan.

NCYU Fosters International Education and Sustainable Fisheries through TEEP and ILP Programs

National Chiayi University (NCYU) has advanced its commitment to international education and sustainable development through its Taiwan Experience Education Program (TEEP) and participation in the International Linkage Programme on Tropical Fisheries (ILP). In 2024, nine graduate students from Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines joined the program to engage in hands-on training in tropical aquaculture and marine sustainability, aligned with SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).  As the only Taiwanese member of ILP—a consortium of top universities from Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and more—NCYU collaborates with global institutions to deliver high-impact academic programs. Under the leadership of the College of Life Sciences, the students also conducted outreach at Yongqing High School, sharing insights into marine research while promoting cross-cultural dialogue and global-local learning.  The program included a cultural excursion to the Suantou Sugar Factory, blending academic enrichment with local heritage awareness. This initiative exemplifies NCYU’s integrated approach to USR, sustainability education, and international cooperation, empowering young scholars to become ambassadors of both science and cultural understanding.

NCYU’s Applied History Program Promotes Place-Based Education and Sustainable Local Development

On April 24, 2024, the Department of Applied History at National Chiayi University (NCYU), in collaboration with Huana Vocational High School, organized a field-based learning journey through Liujiao Township as part of the Youth Development Administration’s Outdoor Education Initiative. The event featured over 70 participants exploring local heritage and community resources through hands-on cultural immersion and storytelling—advancing SDG 4.7 (Education for Sustainable Development) and SDG 11.4 (Cultural Heritage Protection).  Students experienced Liujiao’s living history through visits to a traditional ceramic workshop, a revitalized grocery store, a puppet-making studio, a historic rice mill, and a sugar factory where they learned the manual process of sugar-making and traditional puppetry. These local partners worked alongside NCYU faculty to create pre-university preparatory modules, blending community knowledge with academic inquiry.  The initiative fosters a deeper understanding of local identity and heritage while nurturing youth capabilities in place-based innovation and sustainable tourism (SDG 8.9). Through immersive exploration, students are encouraged to reflect on regional challenges and opportunities, seeding a mindset of social responsibility and cultural stewardship. This project exemplifies NCYU’s commitment to USR and regional co-learning for long-term community resilience.