To mark its 70th anniversary, Chung Yuan Christian University (CYCU) held the “Sustainable Infinity City” University Social Responsibility (USR) Forum and Achievement Exhibition, highlighting faculty and students’ commitment to sustainability. Guest speakers — Wu Jun-Wei, Co-founder of Archicake Studio, Wang Rong-Chun, Chief Career Education Officer of 104 Job Bank, and Chen He-Wen, Director of Tunghai University’s Office of Sustainability — shared perspectives on youth-driven local revitalization, cultivating green-collar talent, and CYCU’s hands-on social engagement.
Vice President Wu Zong-Yuan emphasized that while AI rapidly advances, the irreplaceable value of education lies in its role in social good and sustainability. He noted CYCU’s long-term dedication to USR since its service-learning stage, with over 20 years of applying academic expertise to community service. Recent honors affirm this commitment, including the 2025 Global Views Magazine USR Award (First Prize), multiple 2024 TSAA Taiwan Sustainability Action Awards, and the ESG Award for Shuanglian Pear Social Enterprise, underscoring CYCU’s vital role in fostering local prosperity and sustainable development.
As part of the event, CYCU presented the “Outstanding USR Teacher Award for Academic Year 113”, recognizing faculty contributions to University Social Responsibility across diverse fields.
- Prof. Shih Chang-Fu (Department of Commercial Design) integrates local needs into cultural and creative product development and student entrepreneurship, fostering regional prosperity through cultural translation and industry revitalization.
- Prof. Yang Ching-Lin (Teacher Education Center) is devoted to holistic education and caring for the disadvantaged, enhancing well-being through teaching and companionship.
- Prof. Huang Ching-Hui (Department of Interior Design) leads students in community renovation projects, cultivating design talent with strong social responsibility.
UOnline General Manager Kuan Chen-Hsuan, attending the USR Forum for the sixth time, commended CYCU’s sustained achievements in USR and holistic education. From early projects such as “Shuanglian Pear” and “Taoyuan Irrigation System”, to recent initiatives preserving the Taoyuan Dahu Air Base’s history, linking sustainable communities with public museums, supporting small farmers through online marketing, and co-creating green building communities, CYCU faculty and students have consistently applied their expertise to address social needs.
She emphasized that while the AI era poses challenges, it cannot replace genuine action and engagement, encouraging students to leverage CYCU’s resources, actively participate in society, and contribute to a sustainable future.
Held from September 16–19 at CYCU’s Activity Center, the exhibition highlighted the university’s long-term USR journey. Displays featured projects in disaster prevention, community building, cultural revitalization, and international cooperation, along with a timeline tracing the evolution from service learning to sustainability practice.
Interactive elements included a USR video zone and the “My Sustainability Pledge” wall, where faculty and students shared commitments to green campus initiatives—building momentum for the next decade of collective action toward sustainability.
CYCU’s Office of Sustainability emphasized the university’s strengthened commitment to sustainable development. Key initiatives include publishing an annual Sustainability Report covering governance, talent cultivation, innovation, and social responsibility in line with the UN SDGs; expanding energy-saving and carbon-reduction measures with a goal of 20% renewable energy by 2025; and promoting green buildings and inclusive campus design.
The university also launched the Net-Zero Transformation and Sustainability Center and introduced an innovative ESG assessment mechanism to support enterprises and communities in sustainability management. Through interdisciplinary courses and USR projects, colleges engage in community building, local revitalization, and support for the disadvantaged, transforming academic knowledge into concrete social action.
CYCU emphasizes that the true value of education lies not only in knowledge transmission, but in cultivating socially responsible citizens. The university encourages every member of the CYCU community to apply their learning in service of society, working together to advance sustainability on campus and beyond.
