2025 6th Global Views USR Awards

NCKU Sets a New Record with 2 Grand Prizes, 5 Model Awards, and 1 Merit Award

At the 2025 6th Global Views USR Awards, NCKU remained the top-performing university for the fourth consecutive year. Of 14 submissions, 8 were shortlisted—and all won awards—earning 2 Grand Prizes, 5 Model Awards, and 1 Merit Award, the university’s best result to date.

Two Grand Prize–Winning Projects

CO Together: NCKU Exploring Tainan and Building a New Knowledge-Based University with Tainan

In the Sustainable Curriculum category, the project “CO Together,” led by Vice President Yuh-Neu Chen and Dean Shin-Mei Kao, received top honors. The program connects NCKU faculty and students with 97 communities across all 33 districts of Tainan, working with 125 practitioners and 36 local co-instructors. Using the community as a classroom promotes mutual learning, bringing knowledge to residents and giving students hands-on experience in solving regional issues.

Whale Tale Tainan 20: A Sustainable Initiative for Marine Wildlife Conservation and Education in Taiwan and the Western Pacific

In the Ecological Co-existence category, the project “Whale Tale Tainan 20,” led by Professor Hao-Ven Wang, won a Grand Prize. Since 1992, NCKU has led Taiwan in marine wildlife rescue, establishing the country’s first cetacean rescue center in Sihcao with the Tainan City Government and Forestry Bureau. The team handles rescue, care, research, and education, and has created a national environmental education site to promote ocean literacy through science and community collaboration.

NCKU received five Excellence Awards across key categories: “Carbon Monitoring—AI for Net Zero in Chiayi” by Prof. Chih-Da Wu (Ecological Co-existence); “Technology for Pandemic Prevention: AI-Based Dengue Fever Early Warning and Prevention System” by Prof. Hsun-Ping Hsieh and “Dementia-Friendly Communities in Pingtung” by Executive VP Yuh-Neu Chen (Well-being and Co-existence); “Hydrogen for Carbon: Academia-Industry Alliance” by Prof. Shih-Kang Lin (Industry Co-creation); and the “2023–2024 NCKU Sustainability Report” led by Chair Prof. Chuan-Pu Liu (Sustainability Report). In addition, Prof. Yuk-Ying Tung of the Institute of Education received a Merit Award in the Local Engagement category for “Go Together 2026: Intersubjectivity, Mutualism, and Cultural Regeneration.”

NCKU’s repeated success at the Global Views USR Awards highlights its strong commitment to social responsibility. By working closely with communities and promoting long-term sustainability, the university continues broadening its influence and leading role in shaping a more sustainable future.