In alignment with the global commitment to "2050 Net Zero Emissions," our university has continued advancing the Higher Education Sprout Project, focusing on cultivating education excellence and promoting carbon reduction and green energy to achieve sustainable development. During the first phase of the second term of the project, all performance indicators were successfully met, reflecting exceptional implementation results. Over the past three years, the university has seen an increase in student enrollment, rising from 6,381 students in 2022 to 6,635 students in 2024. Our efforts have centered on supporting underprivileged students through a comprehensive system built on three pillars: enrollment, academic support, and career counseling. Initiatives include active recruitment programs for disadvantaged students, tuition fee waivers, and financial aid. The number of students benefiting from tuition fee waivers increased from 585 in the 2023 academic year to 931 in 2024, while applications for financial aid rose from 166 to 212 during the same period. The total student population grew from 5,991 in the 2023 academic year to 6,632 in 2024, underscoring the university's commitment to reducing the financial burden on disadvantaged students and helping them achieve their academic goals.
Our institutional governance incorporates national priorities such as climate change, social resilience, and health promotion. In 2022, we established the Shuishalian College to create a regional knowledge learning ecosystem and cultivate local revitalization talents. We also formed a Sustainable Development Committee to implement net-zero carbon strategies and green energy initiatives, positioning the university as a green campus. In 2023, the establishment of the College of Nursing and Health Welfare marked a significant step toward training professionals in nursing and long-term care. Furthermore, we collaborated with Nantou County to create specialized shelters for disaster resilience. From 2023 to 2024, the Higher Education Sprout Project emphasized "Global Perspectives, Local Practices," achieving outstanding results.
Ⅰ. Global Perspectives:
(1) Enhancing International Recruitment and Engagement:
The university actively undertakes overseas education recruitment missions, fostering international student mobility. The ratio of international to domestic students has been consistently maintained at 1:10. With a professionalized approach to international recruitment, we expanded our reach to countries such as the Philippines, India, and Japan, while participating in more overseas education fairs. Alumni associations and online communities were strengthened to boost visibility and recruitment outcomes. Through participation in international education conferences, we have established and maintained partnerships with 174 international and cross-strait sister universities, offering opportunities for overseas exchange, dual-degree programs, and faculty exchanges.
(2) Enhancing International Competence:
We improved the quality of English-taught courses through faculty training programs, equipping both faculty and students with global perspectives and international literacy. Support for international students, including Chinese language learning and academic counseling, has fostered better integration and interaction with local students, creating a diverse and inclusive environment for professional growth. Our university also joined initiatives such as the Taiwan-Japan University Alliance and the Green University Alliance, promoting local revitalization and university social responsibility while enhancing international impact. The "Green Shuishalian: Advancing Sustainable Values and Talent Development" project received the 2024 Asia-Pacific and Taiwan Sustainability Action Gold Award. Collaborations with universities in Japan and Chiang Mai University in Thailand have further supported efforts in local revitalization, coffee plantation management, and English-taught courses and internships, aligning with the demands of the global labor market.
Ⅱ. Local Practices:
(1) Building a Resilient and Sustainable Campus:
We completed a 3,266.895 kWp solar rooftop installation, advancing our goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2043. In June 2024, we signed an MOU with the county government to designate the campus as an emergency shelter. Additionally, the university earned environmental education facility certification and offered 24 environmental education courses between 2023 and 2024, contributing to ecological restoration and biodiversity enhancement.
(2) Expanding Community Engagement and Implementing USR Projects:
From 2023 to 2024, 119 community engagement courses were offered, involving 5,398 student participants in local affairs. Five USR (University Social Responsibility) projects were implemented, covering rural education, local industries, cross-cultural initiatives, and health and leisure activities, serving the entire Nantou County and contributing to regional development.