In response to growing global attention on sustainability and corporate responsibility, CYCU has launched a dual-track strategy to promote ESG practices and cultivate green talent. Through its Center for Net-Zero Transformation and Sustainability, CYCU created Taiwan’s first ESG assessment framework specifically designed for businesses. In parallel, the Department of Business Administration will offer an interdisciplinary “Green Talent and Sustainable Development” program to support student engagement in sustainability and green career pathways.
CYCU’s Office of Sustainability noted that most ESG tools target large corporations and are often too complex or costly for SMEs. To bridge this gap, CYCU developed a holistic, user-friendly ESG framework aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda and rooted in whole-person education. The tool provides diagnosis, guidance, and disclosure support—empowering SMEs to begin their sustainability journey from the ground up.
CYCU’s ESG assessment framework covers four core dimensions and 16 subcategories, with a 91.7% alignment to the global GRI Standards. Developed through focus groups, expert consultations, and pilot testing with businesses, the tool ensures clarity, practicality, and ease of implementation. It has already been adopted by companies such as Tien Cheng Precision Machinery and will expand to more partners in the coming months.
Chief Sustainability Officer Prof. Jade Wang emphasized, “We are not just offering a tool, but a comprehensive system to guide businesses from awareness to action within a clear structure.” Office of Sustainability Director Wen-Chiung Chou added, “Our goal is to understand how university expertise can directly support SMEs in their sustainability transition.”
The Net-Zero Transformation and Sustainability Center brings together certified experts in ESG, GHG management, carbon neutrality, and green building—including ISO 14064 verifiers, iPAS carbon planners, and LEED professionals. The team has successfully supported hospitals in GHG inventory and collaborated with tech firms on sustainability reports, demonstrating broad cross-sector impact.
Beyond advancing corporate sustainability, CYCU is committed to cultivating green talent. Starting in the second semester of the 2025 academic year, the Department of Business Administration will offer an interdisciplinary “Green Talent and Sustainable Development” program. Courses will cover green finance, ESG strategy, environmental policy, and climate adaptation. Through corporate projects and social engagement, students will apply knowledge in real-world contexts, opening green career pathways for those beyond STEM fields.
Program Chair Prof. Ming-Yen Lee noted that the curriculum integrates business management, environmental science, and social responsibility, and prepares students for certifications such as ESG sustainability managers and iPAS net-zero carbon planners. More importantly, the program emphasizes hands-on learning, enabling students to understand how businesses balance profitability with responsibility and lead meaningful sustainability efforts.
President Samuel Y. M. Lee highlighted that CYCU’s educational philosophy begins with respect for nature and humanity, echoing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Through the synergy of ESG tools and education, CYCU aims to build a dual-track model of “knowledge plus practice” that drives both corporate and human development toward a more resilient and responsible society.
