To further strengthen the integration of University Social Responsibility (USR) into university governance and mid- to long-term institutional development strategies, the Ministry of Education (MOE) USR Hub and National Chung Cheng University jointly organized the “2026 MOE University Social Responsibility Capacity-Building Event – From Practice to Institution: The Transformation Path of Integrating USR into University Governance” on May 15. The event brought together USR teams, university administrators, faculty members, and administrative staff from universities across Taiwan to exchange experiences and discuss the institutionalization and sustainable development of USR.

The event was conducted in both in-person and online formats, attracting enthusiastic participation from universities nationwide and demonstrating the higher education sector’s strong commitment to integrating USR with university governance. The program included keynote speeches, case-sharing sessions, panel discussions, and thematic workshops, providing opportunities for inter-university dialogue and collaborative learning.

Professor Chien-Huang Lin, Chief Coordinator of the MOE USR Hub, stated in his remarks that since the Ministry of Education launched the University Social Responsibility Project in 2018, a nationwide network for university social engagement had gradually taken shape. He emphasized that USR was no longer merely a highlight initiative for a few institutions but had become a significant reform movement jointly advanced by Taiwan’s higher education sector. According to Professor Lin, the key challenge at the time lay in integrating USR into university governance structures and talent cultivation systems, thereby making social responsibility a driving force for sustainable university development.

President Shaw-Jenq Tsai of National Chung Cheng University noted that the university had long upheld the spirit of serving society through academic expertise. In recent years, the university had actively promoted USR and hub projects focusing on local revitalization, elderly care, cultural preservation, environmental sustainability, and talent cultivation. President Tsai emphasized that the value of a university lay not only in knowledge production but also in responding to societal needs, addressing real-world issues, and cultivating a new generation with responsibility and action-oriented capabilities.

Professor Shin-Yuan Hung, Vice President and Director of the USR Office at National Chung Cheng University, stated that the event theme, “From Practice to Institution: The Transformation Path of Integrating USR into University Governance,” reflected a critical direction for higher education today. He pointed out that for USR to achieve long-term impact, universities had to move beyond project implementation toward institutionalized governance mechanisms. He further noted that universities should embed social responsibility into governance structures, curriculum innovation, and talent development systems, making USR an integral part of campus culture and sustainable social impact.

In the morning session, Professor Chiu-Fen Lin, Co-Coordinator of the MOE USR Hub, delivered a keynote speech on “Social Responsibility Practice and University Development Planning.” Universities including National Chung Cheng University, National Chi Nan University, Feng Chia University, and National Yunlin University of Science and Technology also shared their experiences in promoting USR initiatives.

The afternoon workshops focused on topics such as USR curriculum development, student participation mechanisms, and strategies for integrating USR into universities’ mid- and long-term development plans. Through thematic discussions and practical exchanges, participants explored pathways toward institutionalizing USR in higher education.

National Chung Cheng University stated that it would continue collaborating with the MOE USR Hub and university partners nationwide to further strengthen USR governance, talent cultivation, and local engagement efforts, while jointly promoting the sustainable development of higher education in Taiwan.