To promote inter-university collaboration and regional resource sharing in the field of University Social Responsibility (USR), National Chung Cheng University (CCU) held the “USR Grand Alliance Consensus Meeting” on June 17, 2025. The event gathered representatives from 16 universities and colleges across Nantou, Changhua, Yunlin, Chiayi, Tainan, and Kaohsiung, and was conducted in a hybrid format (physical and virtual), launching a new chapter of regional cooperation in USR.

CCU President Dr. Shaw-Jenq Tsai opened the meeting with remarks underscoring the core value of USR—that universities are not only transmitters of knowledge but also active agents of local engagement and change. This was followed by a speech from Vice President Dr. Hsin-Yuan Hung, who also serves as the Director of the Office of University Social Responsibility. He emphasized, “No university can singlehandedly solve all local challenges, but each one can contribute a crucial part to the solution.” He further noted that only through cross-campus collaboration, resource integration, and long-term commitment can universities drive substantial social transformation and create public value.

Dean of Student Affairs and Deputy Director of the USR Office, Dr. Lung-Chuan Lu, then delivered a keynote presentation outlining the background and future vision of the USR Grand Alliance. He explained that the alliance is founded on the principles of "Co-learning, Co-working, and Co-benefit" and aims to implement five strategic initiatives, including: establishing a USR resource-sharing platform, facilitating inter-university faculty learning communities, strengthening field-based co-creation mechanisms, advancing cross-campus collaborative USR proposals and funding opportunities, and expanding international linkages for USR engagement.

The meeting received strong support from all 16 participating institutions, including National Chung Cheng University, National Cheng Kung University, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, National Chiayi University, National University of Tainan, Nanhua University, Chang Jung Christian University, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, National Formosa University, Tainan National University of the Arts, Da-Yeh University, National Chi Nan University, Nankai University of Technology, Tainan University of Technology, Kaohsiung Medical University, and National Changhua University of Education. Participants represented both comprehensive universities and technical and vocational institutions, highlighting the broad potential and collaborative energy of cross-campus USR efforts.

All participating institutions expressed a strong desire to establish a resilient and flexible alliance mechanism through the USR Grand Alliance—one that enhances mutual support across regions and deepens engagement at field sites. Several representatives also emphasized that the initiative not only addresses local challenges but also aligns with the Ministry of Education's two core USR objectives: talent cultivation and international linkage. Together, they envision a socially engaged academic network that is locally rooted yet globally aware.

Attendees also underscored the importance of sustainability in USR implementation, emphasizing that project impacts should remain embedded in local communities even after program funding ends. Through the collaborative power of the USR Grand Alliance, universities hope to embed social responsibility practices more deeply and sustainably into Taiwan's higher education landscape.

According to CCU’s USR Office, this consensus meeting marked not only the starting point for conceptual alignment but also the launch of a practical regional action framework among southern Taiwan’s USR partners. A formal founding meeting and memorandum of cooperation signing ceremony for the USR Grand Alliance is scheduled at a later time, signaling the official start of a cross-university platform for cooperation—one that is grounded in collaboration, action, and sustainability.