NTNU's USR Projects Sweep Top Honors at Taiwan Sustainability Action Awards
Three university social responsibility (USR) projects from NTNU were awarded top honors at the 2024 Taiwan Sustainability Action Awards (TSAA) ceremony, held on August 8 at the Taipei World Trade Center Hall 1. Recognized for their impactful contributions, the projects earned gold, silver, and bronze awards in their respective categories, reflecting the university's commitment to sustainable development.
Organized annually by the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy, the TSAA recognizes organizations excelling in advancing the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year, 507 projects were nominated across various categories. NTNU's "Taiwan Heart to Heart" project, led by Professor Zhen-Xing Lin and co-chaired by Assistant Professor Hsiang-Yu Hsiung, won the gold award. The "Rural Education" project, spearheaded by Vice President Yao-Ting Sung and co-chaired by Professor Shin-Tzu Hu and Assistant Professor Tsui-Chun Hu, secured the silver award. The "Digital Inclusion for Elderly Health" project earned the bronze.
Vice President Yao-Ting Sung expressed gratitude for the recognition, highlighting the university's focus on social impact as a core mission. He noted the establishment of a dedicated unit to drive practical initiatives and adapt strategies based on community needs. Sung also emphasized NTNU’s rural education outreach, which has trained over 400 teaching professionals. Many of these professionals have continued to serve in rural areas, contributing to quality education through sustained support systems and specialized assistance.
Professor Zhen-Xing Lin acknowledged the collaborative efforts behind the "Taiwan Heart to Heart" project, stressing the importance of integrating immigrant groups into Taiwan for social progress. He hopes the project will inspire broader engagement with the challenges faced by Taiwan’s newest residents.
NTNU Vice President for Student Affairs, Professor Mei-Chun Lin, extended thanks to the team and recognized the support from senior citizens, community members, district directors, corporate partners, and alumni involved in the Healthy Aging Project. “Looking ahead, the university plans to further its efforts in promoting longevity, health, and happiness, enhancing its role in talent cultivation and senior citizen care,” she said.
Each award-winning project has a unique focus. The "Taiwan Heart to Heart" project, which supports new residents, aligns with the national Southbound Policy. It aims to promote intercultural revitalization, sustainable management, and the development of transnational digital connections and teaching mechanisms. The "Rural Education" project integrates the university's PASSION (Program for Adaptive Screening and Streaming Instruction for Omni Directional Nurturing) teaching team and the Special Education Center to enhance educational efficacy in rural and remote areas through a three-tiered intervention strategy. Now in its seventh year, this initiative is constructing a sustainable educational ecosystem in rural areas, with potential for international replication. Lastly, the "Digital Inclusion for Elderly Health" initiative, led by the Office of Student Affairs, advocates for successful aging with goals to improve the quality of life for the elderly.