【Translator：Siou-Yao Han】

【Promotion of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) series】 

 2024-11-22 On November 22, 2024, the National University of Kaohsiung (NUK) invited the National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU) for a campus exchange. Both parties exchanged views on various topics, including research, teaching resource sharing, and campus space planning. They also reached a consensus on deepening collaboration and jointly enhancing the competitiveness of higher education.

President Chi-Jen Chen of the National University of Kaohsiung (NUK) and his team warmly welcomed President Chih-Peng Lee of National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU) and a delegation of nearly 30 executives, emphasizing the importance of the exchange.

Chi-Jen Chen stated that the two universities have maintained a long-standing partnership since signing an alliance in 2014. They have collaborated closely in teaching and research, with faculty from both institutions guiding each other's students and co-publishing academic results, fostering strong interactive relationships. Given their geographical proximity, NUK and NSYSU each possess unique and complementary educational resources. In the rapidly changing environment of higher education, both sides share a consensus to strengthen the exchange and expand the scope of their collaboration. This initiative aims to address emerging challenges, solidify their presence in southern Taiwan, and set their sights on global opportunities.

Chi-Jen Chen also highlighted NUK's proactive response to global trends such as AI, extreme climate change, and government initiatives on semiconductors and net-zero transformation strategies. The university has established research and industry-academic collaboration centers and has demonstrated accountability by publishing sustainability reports since 2018. Starting in 2022, NUK conducted and verified a comprehensive campus-wide greenhouse gas inventory, aligning with the "2050 Net-Zero Emissions" goal. Chen emphasized that the university fosters a high-quality learning and academic environment to address global rapid changes and meet national industrial demands while deeply engaging with the local community to fulfill its social responsibility as a university.

President Chih-Peng Lee of NSYSU remarked that over the years, NSYSU and NUK have engaged in extensive collaboration across teaching, research, library resources, student activities, and administration, strengthening their research capabilities in various fields. NSYSU has consistently sought to connect universities and research institutions in the Kaohsiung area, forming teams to secure major projects and develop research in distinctive areas. These include advancing medical research, next-generation semiconductor growth and packaging, quantum cybersecurity, marine engineering, and integrated coastal city management. Additional efforts target modernizing traditional industries such as steel, petrochemicals, agriculture, and aquaculture through high technology, as well as research on environmental sustainability, circular economy, and efficient energy and water resource management. Lee expressed hope for further innovation and deepened collaboration with NUK to foster mutual prosperity and development for the Kaohsiung area.

Presidents Chi-Jen Chen and Chih-Peng Lee exchanged commemorative gifts on behalf of their respective universities, followed by a group photo with executives from both institutions. The NSYSU delegation also toured the NUK campus to experience its unique features, sparking ideas for future collaborations.

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