NCKU Recognized for Excellence in Sustainability Governance, Receives Taiwan’s 2025 National Sustainable Development Award from the Executive Yuan— Achieving a New Milestone Toward Its Centennial
Written by Amy Lin. Image credit to NCKU News Center.
National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) has been awarded Taiwan’s 2025 National Sustainable Development Award in the Education Category by the Executive Yuan, recognizing the university’s long-term commitment and comprehensiveachievements across environmental, social, and governance (ESG) dimensions. This accolade underscores the pivotal role and leadership of higher education institutions in advancing national sustainability goals. Organized by the National Council for Sustainable Development under the Executive Yuan, the award honors exemplary institutions that demonstrate balanced progress across the economic, social, and environmental pillars, and is widely regarded as one of Taiwan’s most prestigious accolades in the field of sustainable development.
NCKU receives Taiwan’s 2025 National Sustainable Development Awards in the Education Category by the Executive Yuan.
The selection process comprised multiple stages, including preliminary, secondary, and final evaluations. Led by President Meng-Ru Shen (沈孟儒), NCKU’s administrative team—comprising Vice President Yung-Chun Lee (李永春), Secretary General Wei-Cheng Lo (羅偉誠), Vice President for Academic Affairs Sheng-Chih Shen (沈聖智), Vice President for General Affairs Jian-Hong Wu (吳建宏), and Vice President for Sustainability and Strategic Development Rwei-Ling Yu (余睿羚)—worked collaboratively on strategic planning and presentations. Through these coordinated efforts, NCKU ultimately stood out among numerous competing institutions. This achievement not only affirms the university’s systematic approach to sustainable governance, but also highlights its dual role as a trusted policy think tank and an active practitioner in addressing national priorities and societal needs.
In recent years, NCKU has established its comprehensive sustainability governance framework, aligning institutional governance and educational mission with Taiwan’s national net-zero transition strategy, forming a unified, university-wide action blueprint. The university focuses on four strategic pillars—net-zero emissions, disaster resilience, health and well-being, and humanistic values—while extending its efforts to emerging issues such as territorial security and national resilience. Driven by the dual engines of talent cultivation and research innovation, NCKU advances pioneering research in areas including energy transition, circular economy, negative carbon emission technologies, disaster governance, and sustainable healthcare, positioning the university as a key intellectual pillar supporting national policy development.
NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen receives the National Sustainable Development award on behalf of the university from Executive Yuan Vice Premier Li-Chiun Cheng (鄭麗君).
President Meng-Ru Shen stated that the award symbolizes the collaborative efforts of NCKU’s faculty, staff, and students over many years, and marks a significant milestone as the university approaches its centennial. He emphasized that NCKU has embedded sustainability values into its governance culture, fostering a resilient, inclusive learning and living environment through interdisciplinary collaboration, institutionalized initiatives, and broad campus engagement—creating a community that allows students, faculty, staff, and alumni to take pride in being part of the NCKU.
Reflecting on the journey, President Shen acknowledged that the path toward sustainability has been challenging. “Without a steadfast commitment to sustainability, the courage to face future challenges, and the strength built through long-term dedication and preparation, NCKU would not be standing on this national stage today,” he noted.
“As the president of NCKU, I am deeply honored and moved to share this moment with our community,” he added. “I extend my sincere thanks to our outstanding administrative and academic teams, as well as to all faculty, students, and staff, whose unwavering dedication and support have enabled all of Taiwan to recognize NCKU’s strength and sense of mission.”
NCKU’s leadership team worked collaboratively.
Vice President for Sustainability and Strategic Development Rwei-Ling Yu noted that NCKU’s sustainability efforts are evolving from “campus-based practices” toward “societal co-creation.” Over the next five years, the university will place sustainability governance at the core of its development strategy, connecting local and global issues while continuing to advance carbon-reduction technologies, health equity initiatives, and green campus actions—efforts aimed at making NCKU a driving force in Taiwan’s sustainable development.
In response to the global sustainability momentum, NCKU will continue to deepen educational innovation and research through a forward-looking perspective, fulfill its national mission, and strengthen engagement with alumni and the broader community. As the university approaches its centennial, it remains committed to building a resilient, collaborative, and sustainable future for both Taiwan and the world.
Provider:
NCKU News Center
Date:
2025-12-12
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