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Cultivating international talent for sustainable innovation: NSYSU course selected for YDA program of MOE

2025-01-28

The "Social Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Sustainable Governance Course" of National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU) has been selected for the "Pilot Program for Cultivating International Sustainable and Social Innovation Talent" by the Youth Development Administration (YDA) of the Ministry of Education (MOE). Faculty and students traveled to Japan to study sustainable global trends innovation and Taiwan's national policies, focusing on four major transformations and three primary themes. They visited cities around Tokyo and engaged in discussions with mayors, council speakers, staff, and leaders of civic groups, fostering sustainable innovation and deepening Taiwan-Japan interactions. After returning, students will design practical social action plans and participate in the Young Fly Global Action Program proposal competition, showcasing their international sustainable practices.

This course is supported by the Institute of Social Innovation at NSYSU and the USR project, "Transitions toward Sustainability: The Glocalization Practice of the City as a Commuseum." Led by Si Wan College Assistant Professors Kayo Ito and Yi-Shin Wu, ten interdisciplinary students traveled to Japan. They collaborated with partner universities Chiba University and Kanagawa University, visiting practice sites, participating in exchanges, and presenting group reports. In addition to interacting with top university students, the group also met with local governments such as Kawasaki City Hall, Nagareyama City Hall and City Council, as well as companies focusing on sustainable governance and social practice organizations, exploring city development challenges from diverse perspectives. The course centered on Taiwan's national policy's four major Transitions—Industrial Transition, Energy Transition, Lifestyle Transition, and Social Transition—and explored three main themes: urban development and sustainability, climate change and circular economy, and just transition with civic participation.

The NSYSU delegation visited Chiba University's practice site in Nagara Town, engaging with faculty and students. Professor Masayuki Suzuki and Assistant Professor Shota Tajima from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Chiba University, who have visited Taiwan multiple times, deepened prospects for future dialogue. Associate Professor Choi Young from the Cross-Cultural and Japanese Studies at Kanagawa University and her students presented a case study on the Port of Yokohama at Tokyo Bay's new urban planning area, examining the advantages and challenges of transforming old port areas into modern cityscapes amid economic development. They also discussed the regional revitalization case of Kaohsiung presented by NSYSU students, comparing two century-old port cities and their respective transformations. NSYSU faculty and students further visited the Koganecho Town area management center and the practice site in Manazuru Town surrounding Kanagawa University, exchanging ideas with local practitioners and international artists to understand diverse approaches to urban transition.

The visit also connected with entities such as Kawasaki City, Nagareyama City, Nagareyama Municipal Oguronomori Junior High School, the hitosaji social charity association, and Keio University International Center. Kawasaki City, also located in Tokyo Bay, marking its 100th anniversary this year, shares a history of development as a major port city like Kaohsiung. Previously reliant on petrochemical and heavy industries, Kawasaki experienced significant environmental and public health issues due to Tokyo's economic expansion. In response, the government, businesses, and citizens jointly collaborated to address these issues. Kawasaki City Mayor Norihiko Fukuda expressed aspirations for local industries to promote energy production and recycling. Initiatives such as "hydrogen power generation" in collaboration with RESONAC Kawasaki Plant and Kawasaki King Skyfront Tokyu REI Hotel have transformed waste plastics into reusable resources, making the hotel the world's first "hydrogen hotel." These public policy and urban transition efforts have successfully improved environmental pollution and public health through three-side cooperation.

Jeng-Hao Hsu, a first-year master's student at NSYSU's Institute of Social Innovation, noted that his previously conservative views broadened after discussions with Japanese students and learning about the joint efforts of local governments, companies, and citizens in Japan. There are more diverse practical possibilities for himself and Taiwan in the future. Kayo Ito emphasized the value of continued exchange between NSYSU and Japan, offering students unique opportunities for international participation. She hopes students develop broader imaginations for social innovation and practical capabilities to contribute to Taiwanese society. NSYSU aims to cultivate global-local talent through social practice projects, empowering students to become seeds of sustainability, achieving personal growth, and innovating in practice.
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