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【Translator：Siou-Yao Han】

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

2023-06-06  On June 6, 2023, the National University of Kaohsiung(NUK) held the '2023 Asia Virtual Academy Conference', focusing on “Climate Resilience and Sustainable Societies.” The event was conducted in-person and online simultaneously, expanding its reach to more audiences. During the conference, memorandums of understanding (MOUs) were signed with the Institute of Aeronautical Engineering from India and the University of the Ryukyus from Japan, fostering academic exchanges and establishing partnerships between the universities.

Yueh-Tuan Chen, President of the NUK, along with Haranadh Prasad, Dean of the College of Engineering at the Institute of Aeronautical Engineering in India, and Ikue Kina, Vice President of the University of the Ryukyus in Japan, signed an MOU. This agreement aims to facilitate academic and cultural exchanges, share educational resources, and establish cross-border learning opportunities for students.

As the host, Yueh-Tuan Chen welcomed the visiting scholars from partner institutions, noting that while the Covid-19 pandemic had once confined international borders, the NUK broke through the restrictions and launched the “Asia Virtual Academy.” These invitations to partner universities across various countries facilitated the sharing of knowledge, cultures, and achievements. For instance, the NUK has linked industry and society, aligning

with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to fulfill its University Social Responsibility (USR) commitments.

The NUK's Office of International Affairs organized this conference, with the host and Director of International Affairs, Wu Xinghao, highlighting the attraction of numerous partners through the establishment of the Asia Virtual Academy in 2021. The Asia Virtual Academy fulfill goals like "international exchange," "expanding students' global perspectives," and "respecting and understanding diverse cultures." Amid easing pandemic conditions, this year's conference integrates in-person and online elements. Partner universities' faculty and students can engage via platforms such as YouTube and Facebook, embodying borderless education and instant communication. Impressively, nearly 200 individuals attended the online session simultaneously.

One of the speakers, Professor Qi-ren Chen from the Department of Architecture of the NUK, shared the actions and measures of the low-carbon community and culturally sustainable development jointly created by NUK and Kaohsiung City; the other speakers included Ikue Kina, the vice president of the University of the Ryukyus, Prof. Mary Joy B. Sande from Bicol University in the Philippines, Prof. Manisha Jagtap from Rajarambapu Institute of Technology in India, Prof. Helma Malini from Universitas Tanjungpura in Indonesia, Prof. Hoang Ha Anh from Nong Lam University in Vietnam conducted discussions on low-carbon communities, green buildings, green finance, and sustainable agriculture.

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#SDG4 #SDG11 #SDG13 #SDG17