The Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy held an award ceremony on November 20th at the Grand Hotel in Taipei. Dr. Chen Shyh-leh, Director of Research and Development at our university, attended the event to receive this prestigious recognition on behalf of National Chung Cheng University (CCU). This award not only highlights our exceptional achievements in sustainable development but also reflects the strong acknowledgment from professional evaluators and the wider public of the university's long-standing commitment to social responsibility and sustainability. CCU has received this silver award for the third consecutive years. 

This year's sustainability report comprehensively covers various aspects, including university governance, talent development, SDGs implementation, campus environment, and social impact, showcasing our advancements in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) areas. By disclosing clear and transparent information, the university allows the public, alumni, and faculty and staff to better understand CCU’s unwavering commitment to "sustainability" and "social responsibility," continuously responding to the expectations and needs of stakeholders.

To promote the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), CCU has undertaken a range of initiatives across teaching, research, and policy-making. In February 2023, the university officially established the Office of Sustainability and launched a campus-wide carbon inventory in September, signaling the beginning of its journey toward carbon neutrality. The university has actively cultivated faculty members as leaders in carbon footprint management and encourages integrating carbon reduction and sustainability into teaching practices. Furthermore, research initiatives focus on essential innovations for achieving net zero emissions, such as hydrogen and energy storage systems, renewable energy control, predictive and fault diagnostic technologies, climate adaptation, and CO₂ sequestration legislation. The university is currently building a pioneering base for developing talent and technologies in the green and low-carbon manufacturing industry, contributing to solving global sustainable energy challenges.

In terms of social impact, CCU appointed its first University Social Responsibility (USR) Ambassadors in 2023 and introduced a fully English online SDGs curriculum. With a core vision of “cross-disciplinary talent cultivation” and “strengthening local connections,” the university encourages more students to engage in social responsibility and sustainability initiatives. Currently, CCU has grouped 12 USR and USR-HUB teams, leveraging academic expertise to benefit local communities and bring the SDGs into practice, fulfilling its vision for local development.

In the arena of international competitiveness, CCU’s Research Center On Artificial Intelligence and Sustainability actively collaborates with different organizations and institutions globally, promoting smart transportation and environmental protection to build resilient and sustainable smart cities. Additionally, the university achieved impressive rankings in the 2024 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, placing in the top 300 worldwide across four SDGs categories. In the 2023 UI GreenMetric World University Ranking, CCU received a perfect score in the "Water Resources" category.

Our deepest gratitude goes to all faculty, staff, students, partners, and members of the community for their support and involvement. The university remains committed to becoming a model of sustainability and looks forward to shaping a green future together, embedding sustainability as a core value that continuously benefits our environment and society.