In an era of rapid AI development, asking the right questions can be more transformative than simply finding the right answers. Guided by the philosophy “Change begins with inquiry; revitalization emerges from thought,” Chung Yuan Christian University (CYCU) held its annual Service Learning Showcase on May 21 at the Taipei NGO House. Students from the Advertising and Marketing Service Course presented projects that addressed real-world social issues through creative strategies and design thinking, demonstrating the value of integrating higher education with societal needs.
Now in its 19th year, the course is co-taught by eight faculty members from the Departments of Business Administration and Commercial Design. It brings together interdisciplinary teams of students to serve local NGOs and social enterprises, focusing on issues such as environmental sustainability and community development.
This year, four student teams tackled diverse topics including brand revitalization, cultural education, rural regeneration, and space activation. Notably, one team designed a cultural learning program for elementary schools near Taoyuan Aerotropolis to preserve local history amid rapid urbanization. Another group collaborated with GOGOLife to develop “Smart Family,” a tech education brand tailored for seniors, emphasizing emotional connection through accessible technology and community engagement.
Another student team collaborated with the Mawudu Coffee Estate in Hsinchu, integrating the area’s unique limestone geology and circular economy principles to design an eco-friendly corporate gift box titled “Mineral Notes.” The dual-layer box includes local coffee and handmade soap made from recycled coffee grounds, promoting both environmental sustainability and human-centered design.
Meanwhile, a separate group revitalized an abandoned elementary school in Zhuolan, Miaoli, transforming it into a rural leisure site named “Fruitful Slow Living Village.” Through activities like dragon whisker vegetable harvesting and postcard printing workshops, the project reconnected participants with the land and highlighted the charm of rural life.
The Advertising and Marketing Service Course at CYCU emphasizes the importance of inquiry as the starting point for meaningful action. “AI is good at answering,” said course instructor Ding Peiyuan, “but it’s people who ask the right questions and act on them that truly move society forward.”
Through field research, interviews, creative design, and hands-on engagement, this year’s four student teams not only responded to social needs but also deepened their learning and personal growth. Their work stands as powerful evidence that asking the right questions can lead to impactful, real-world change.
