Tunghai University, with its long-standing commitment to social responsibility and sustainable development, has once again been recognized in the 2024 CommonWealth University Social Responsibility (USR) Survey, securing the top spot among private universities. President Chang Kuo-En of Tunghai University stated that the institution emphasizes experiential learning education and servant leadership, inspired by biblical teachings, to nurture students' awareness of social engagement. By addressing societal needs and helping others, Tunghai aims to build a more cohesive and sustainable society.
The 2024 Commonwealth University Social Responsibility Awards ceremony was recently held at the Far Eastern Shangri-La Plaza Hotel in Taipei, where Tunghai University earned the top spot among private universities.
The CommonWealth Magazine recently hosted the 2024 "University Social Responsibility (USR) Awards" ceremony at the Far Eastern Plaza Shangri-La Hotel in Taipei, where Tunghai University and National Taiwan University were honored as the top private and public universities, respectively, among large general institutions. Having recently entered the global top 100 in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, Tunghai University has long incorporated "sustainable development" as one of its four core governance principles. In terms of environmental sustainability, the university has established a globally leading "Smart Carbon-Neutral Campus" as a net-zero demonstration site. In the realm of social responsibility, Tunghai is deeply engaged in areas such as elderly care, educational support, and community engagement, actively integrating cross-disciplinary resources to fulfill its role as an influential citizen. In the age of artificial intelligence, the university has developed over 100 generative AI interdisciplinary courses to cultivate new-generation talent, aiming to create a low-carbon, innovative, and sustainable future university.
This year’s CommonWealth USR University Citizen Survey evaluated 40 key indicators, encompassing university governance, teaching commitment, social engagement, and environmental sustainability. Additionally, a new “peer evaluation” score for university sustainability performance was introduced, in which Tunghai University achieved a perfect score. President Chang Kuo-En of Tunghai University expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating that the award highlights the university’s years of dedication to sustainability and development. Representatives from Tunghai attending the award ceremony included Vice President Chang Jo-Shu, Director of Sustainability Chen He-Wen, and Public Affairs Director Huang Chao-Hsi.
Tunghai University emphasizes experiential learning education and the servant leadership principles outlined in the Bible, nurturing students’ awareness of social engagement to build a more cohesive and sustainable society.
President Chang Kuo-En emphasized that Tunghai University, as a Christian institution, has prioritized experiential learning education since its founding. Through a comprehensive experiential learning education program for freshmen, students are introduced to the importance of social engagement, environmental stewardship, and teamwork. In recent years, aligning with global sustainability efforts, Tunghai has integrated the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its experiential learning education, advancing the program into "Experiential Learning Education 4.0." President Chang explained that the university also applies the servant leadership principles from the Bible in its educational framework. This includes fostering peer mentoring, where senior students guide younger ones in service leadership roles. During their junior and senior years, students participate in University Social Responsibility (USR) projects that engage local communities to address societal needs. Examples include the Dongfu Wellness Village initiative and efforts to clean and restore the East University Creek, both of which exemplify Tunghai’s commitment to extending its social impact and contributing to society.
President Chang Kuo-En further noted that Tunghai University, with its expansive campus, places significant emphasis on integrating sustainability with environmental initiatives. Through the establishment of the Office of Sustainability and Institutional Research, upgrades to experiential learning education, and the integration of university social responsibility (USR) projects, Tunghai actively incorporates sustainable concepts into its campus development strategies. These efforts aim to address societal challenges through practical actions while embedding education into complex social issues. By fostering students’ empathy and problem-solving skills, Tunghai University strives to create long-term value for the world and advance towards the governance of a truly sustainable university.