Entering Communities: Defining the University’s Future Role Through Sustainability

Facing the dual challenges of global climate change and social inequality, universities are no longer confined to teaching and research. They are evolving into active arenas for shaping a sustainable future.

The CommonWealth Magazine’s 2025 University Citizen Rankings highlight this shift — identifying four key indicators for evaluating University Social Responsibility (USR): Local Engagement, Cross-domain Collaboration, Action-driven Innovation, and Learning Impact.

As one of Taiwan’s most action-oriented universities of science and technology, Cheng Shiu University (CSU) exemplifies these qualities through practice-based teaching design, cross-sector partnerships, and deep-rooted community involvement — paving a distinct path for southern Taiwan’s technical and vocational education in USR practice.

Cross-domain Integration: Linking “Action” with “Resources”

USR is not merely an ideal — it is a framework for uniting actions and resources.

CSU actively promotes interdisciplinary and interdepartmental teaching designs, including:

• AI and Semiconductor USR Projects: integrating smart sensing, energy management, and process monitoring technologies into local communities.

• Cosmetics × Design × Indigenous Culture Co-creation Courses: combining fashion design, cultural preservation, and student-led projects to foster innovative tribal revitalization.

• Green Talent Alliance and Circular Resource Education: advancing environmental initiatives and developing sustainability-focused curricula on and off campus.

These efforts not only connect the expertise of faculty and students but also establish diverse partnerships among enterprises, community organizations, and government agencies — jointly responding to regional and industrial development needs.

Deepening Local Engagement: “Community Co-prosperity” as a Long-term Commitment

Rooted in place-based practice, CSU has long been engaged in communities such as Xinpi, Jiadong, Linyuan, and Qishan, implementing initiatives such as:

• Food and Agriculture Education & Local Culinary Innovation (e.g., “Xinpi Madeleine” entering major department stores)

• Cultural Revitalization & Exhibition Projects (e.g., “Linyuan Pandemic Chronicle” Podcast)

• Elderly Care & Intergenerational Learning Programs integrating social work, health, and culinary expertise

These initiatives directly align with the CommonWealth USR Survey’s indicators of Local Engagement and Learning Impact, representing not just the university’s involvement in communities, but a shared journey of co-learning, co-creation, and co-development toward a sustainable future.

Mapping CSU’s Local Actions to the Four USR Strengths