Founded in 2000, National University of Kaohsiung is the only newly established comprehensive national university in Taiwan after the country entered the 21st century. The University carries an important mission to promote balanced development in higher education between northern and southern Taiwan. Since assuming the presidency, I have continued to build institutional consensus through the annual University Consensus Camp. Together with all faculty, staff, and students, we have established four strategic pillars: “Interdisciplinary Innovation,” “Industry Linkages,” “Local Practice,” and “International Alignment.” Based on these pillars, we have launched seven action plans to comprehensively enhance institutional governance and the framework for sustainable development, making sustainability part of NUK’s core DNA.
The visual theme of this year’s Sustainability Report is “Remembering the Coral Tree, Moving Forward with the Bischofia.” The inspiration comes from the old coral tree near the west gate of the campus, which witnessed the development of the University over the years. Although the old tree has now become part of our history due to the passage of time, disease, and pests, the new Bischofia seedlings nurtured at the same site symbolize the continuation of life and the emergence of hope. “Remembering the Coral Tree” represents our respect for history and our commitment to remembering our original aspirations; “Moving Forward with the Bischofia” conveys the meaning of walking together and continuously improving. Respecting heritage while responding to future challenges through innovative governance is the best reflection of NUK’s commitment to sustainable development.
Environmental Governance: Driving Net-zero Transition through Data
In response to the global movement toward net-zero emissions, NUK continues to strengthen its energy and greenhouse gas management systems. The University has moved from equipment replacement toward system optimization by promoting the establishment of ISO 50001 and deploying smart water meters, thereby enhancing management capacity and data governance. In 2025, NUK rose from 278th place in 2024 to 154th place in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings, entering the global top 10%. This achievement demonstrates the University’s progress in energy efficiency, water resource recycling, and the integration of sustainability education.
Social Impact: Cultivating Talent and Creating Value
Talent cultivation has always been the most important social responsibility of a university. With talent development and industry-academia co-creation as its core driving forces, NUK actively aligns with Taiwan’s national semiconductor policies and continues to deepen cooperation with corporate partners, establishing a comprehensive talent cultivation linkage mechanism. Through industry-academia collaboration, internship training, and project-based research with enterprises such as TSMC and ASE, we strengthen students’ practical capabilities and employment competitiveness, putting into practice the educational vision of “learning-practice integration and employment readiness upon graduation.”
In circular economy innovation, NUK’s research team successfully transformed waste adhesive films from wafer manufacturing processes into shoe outsole materials, realizing resource regeneration and industrial application. This achievement turns sustainability value into verifiable technological outcomes.
In terms of teaching quality and industry linkage, NUK once again ranked first among medium-sized universities in the Cheers magazine “2026 Employers’ Favorite University Graduates” survey. This recognition demonstrates the strong confidence of industry in the professional competence, practical literacy, and workplace competitiveness of NUK graduates.
Governance Enhancement: Building a Sustainable and Resilient Campus
Good governance is the foundation of sustainable development. NUK continues to promote administrative reform and financial optimization while strengthening performance-oriented management and risk management mechanisms. In 2025, NUK received the Bronze Award in the TUSA Taiwan University Sustainability Report Awards organized by the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy, recognizing the University’s efforts in the transparency and completeness of sustainability disclosure.
In financial governance, NUK follows the principles of “structural optimization, risk control, revenue expansion, and expenditure reduction.” The University is building long-term financial resilience by expanding industry-academia collaboration and research project capacity, strengthening the budgetary responsibility of each unit, and improving energy efficiency and resource allocation. These efforts enhance sustainable operations and ensure that limited resources effectively support teaching, research, and service development.
Working with the World to Create a Sustainable Future
Sustainable development is a shared global challenge that requires cross-border and interdisciplinary cooperation. In recent years, NUK has actively deepened its international partnerships and established collaborative networks with universities in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and other countries. Through exchanges and cooperation on net-zero carbon emissions, urban resilience, smart governance, and cultural sustainability, NUK works with international partners to cultivate a new generation of talent with global perspectives and sustainability literacy.
The meaning of “Moving Forward with the Bischofia” is not only about moving ahead; it also represents walking together. Amid the global wave of sustainability, NUK will continue to move forward alongside international partners, jointly implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and creating greater positive impact for society.
Facing multiple challenges such as climate change, industrial restructuring, and demographic transformation, NUK will continue to deepen the development of a low-carbon smart campus, strengthen sustainable governance capacity, and expand its social impact.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners for their support and dedication. Let us gather our shared values through the heritage of “Remembering the Coral Tree,” and, with the forward momentum of “Moving Forward with the Bischofia,” work together to make NUK a model of sustainability in the next stage of development.
