Collaboration for SDG best practice
Sustainable Development Goals
Content
NTHU International Collaboration and Best Practices for Sustainable Development
THE Impact Rankings 17.2.4 — Collaboration for SDG Best Practice
1. Institutional Commitment to International SDG Best Practices
National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) promotes international research collaboration, comparative studies, and the exploration of effective approaches to addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Through partnerships with overseas universities, international research institutions, non-governmental organizations, and industrial partners, NTHU examines sustainability challenges from different technological, institutional, environmental, and cultural perspectives.
Its research and international exchanges cover water-resource protection, environmental governance, sustainable manufacturing, biomedical innovation, responsible technology governance, peacebuilding, education, and cultural sustainability.
NTHU recognizes that identifying effective international practices requires more than exchanging successful examples. Policies and technical solutions must also be examined in relation to the institutional, social, and cultural conditions in which they operate.
The university therefore supports comparative research, collaborative technological development, field studies, and professional exchanges that can inform the adaptation of sustainability practices to different regional contexts.
The activities documented for 2025–2026 include completed research exchanges, collaborative technical projects, and exploratory approaches to localized sustainability practices. Their implementation outcomes are distinguished from projects that remain under development or require further verification.
2. Comparative Research on Water Governance and Sustainable Communities
2.1 Comparing Environmental Governance in Taiwan and Japan in 2025
On March 25, 2025, representatives from Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture and environmental organizations visited Hsinchu to exchange experiences with NTHU's Touqian River research team and local environmental partners.
The discussions addressed semiconductor development, water-resource protection, environmental monitoring, and public participation.
NTHU researchers presented findings from investigations of sediment contamination, heavy metals, and cellular toxicity in the Touqian and Keya River watersheds.
The Taiwan Clean Water Action Alliance shared experience in community-based environmental advocacy, while local partners described environmental changes affecting the oyster farming industry in Xiangshan.
The exchange offered opportunities to compare environmental concerns associated with semiconductor industries in Hsinchu and Kumamoto.
Participants considered the importance of scientific evidence, environmental transparency, industrial development, and resident participation in local water governance.
These comparisons provided useful perspectives on how environmental practices may differ according to industrial structures, administrative systems, and community conditions.
Supporting Evidence
NTHU–Kumamoto Environmental Research Exchange, March 25, 2025:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rbn_uk6BZERMCsv_FnPiHrcFC9I77Q0Y/view
2.2 River Restoration and Community Participation in Japan
NTHU's Touqian River research team also exchanged perspectives with individuals associated with Japan's Groundwork Mishima initiative.
The discussions drew upon experience concerning the restoration of the Genbei River and the participation of residents and community organizations in environmental improvement.
The Japanese example provided a comparative perspective on how river restoration can integrate environmental protection, public spaces, education, and local community engagement.
For the Touqian River project, these experiences helped researchers consider the relationship between scientific monitoring, public dialogue, and collaborative watershed management.
The exchange provided insights relevant to community-based sustainability practices, without establishing that the Japanese approach had been fully implemented in Hsinchu.
Supporting Evidence
NTHU Touqian River Project Annual Report, 2025:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i8rv_lD3svXestG2mkSkY5XpRC8bEYFi/view
2.3 Community Environmental Safeguards in the United States
Materials from a December 2025 international exchange included perspectives from CHIPS Communities United in the United States.
Topics included community involvement, industrial wastewater, environmental safeguards, and public access to information concerning semiconductor facilities.
Comparisons involving Taiwan, Japan, and the United States enabled the NTHU research team to examine different approaches to scientific monitoring, community participation, and the environmental responsibilities of technology industries.
These activities contributed to comparative understanding of environmental governance and provided a foundation for exploring locally appropriate practices.
However, existing documentation does not establish that the international partners jointly published or adopted a formal SDG best-practice framework in 2025.
Supporting Evidence
NTHU Touqian River Project Annual Report, 2025:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i8rv_lD3svXestG2mkSkY5XpRC8bEYFi/view
Relevant SDGs: 6, 11, 12, and 17.
3. International Dark Sky Conservation and Light Pollution Governance
3.1 Collaboration and Field Research with DarkSky International
NTHU's College of Education has engaged in international exchange and research with DarkSky International, an organization dedicated to reducing light pollution and protecting nighttime environments.
The research team conducted field visits in Arizona, United States, to examine approaches adopted by dark sky conservation organizations and communities.
The research addressed lighting regulations, community governance, environmental education, and the ecological implications of artificial nighttime illumination.
These exchanges connected international NGO experience with academic research on sustainable urban environments and ecological conservation.
Supporting Evidence
DarkSky International:
Source: NTHU College of Education departmental research submission.
Recommended documentation: Field visit records, partnership correspondence, research reports, and project-specific activity evidence.
The organization's website provides institutional background but does not independently verify NTHU's project outcomes.
3.2 Comparing Lighting Governance in the United States and East Asia
The research compares established dark sky conservation practices in the United States with the social and cultural contexts of East Asian communities.
In some East Asian settings, extensive nighttime illumination is associated with safety, convenience, commercial activities, and urban development.
These perceptions may create different conditions for regulating artificial lighting and protecting nighttime ecosystems.
The project examines how lighting management approaches can account for differences in local expectations, environmental conditions, administrative institutions, and community involvement.
Rather than assuming that international certification or regulatory models can be transferred directly, the study explores their applicability to East Asian urban and community contexts.
Supporting Evidence
NTHU College of Education comparative light pollution governance research materials.
Recommended documentation: Comparative policy analysis, published research, and field investigation findings.
3.3 Exploring Localized Light Pollution Management Practices
Drawing upon DarkSky International's conservation principles, the NTHU team has explored light pollution management approaches adapted to East Asian conditions.
Areas of research include community lighting guidelines, environmental education, resident participation, and the evaluation of nighttime environmental quality.
The college's submission reports work on localized governance strategies and demonstration-site development.
This approach illustrates how comparative international research may inform locally relevant environmental practices.
However, additional documentation identifying the demonstration site, measures implemented, evaluation methods, and observed outcomes is needed before the initiative can be described as a fully validated best-practice model.
Supporting Evidence
NTHU College of Education project and demonstration-site materials.
Official public project documentation and implementation evidence remain to be added.
Relevant SDGs: 3, 11, 15, and 17.
4. International Research on Sustainable Manufacturing and Engineering
4.1 DAICEL–NTHU Joint Research on Microfluidic Chemical Processing
NTHU's Institute of NanoEngineering and MicroSystems (iNEMS) and Japan's DAICEL established the DAICEL–NTHU Joint Research and Development Center (JRDC).
The collaboration focuses on microfluidic chemical processing, large-scale serial-parallel microfluidic devices, reaction control, engineering design, and potential industrial applications.
Through collaborative research, NTHU and its Japanese industrial partner explore how microfluidic technologies may improve chemical process control, production quality, and resource efficiency in selected manufacturing applications.
The joint research center provides a continuing framework for exchanging technical knowledge and developing innovative chemical processing methods.
Supporting Evidence
NTHU Institute of NanoEngineering and MicroSystems and DAICEL–NTHU JRDC institutional submissions.
Recommended documentation: Joint research center records, co-authored research publications, technical testing, and process validation reports.
4.2 International Symposium on Microfluidic Chemical Processing in 2026
In 2026, NTHU and its international partners organized the International Symposium on Microfluidic Chemical Processing & Technology.
The symposium brought together academic and industrial researchers to share scientific findings and practical experience concerning the industrial implementation of microfluidic technologies.
The event provided opportunities to compare technical approaches and discuss the relationship between engineering research and sustainable chemical production.
The symposium complemented continuing research collaboration through the DAICEL–NTHU JRDC.
Supporting Evidence
NTHU College of Engineering 2026 symposium submission.
Recommended documentation: Official programme, participating organizations, technical presentations, and collaborative research outputs.
4.3 Research Partnerships with Sweden and Other Countries
NTHU's iNEMS also maintains international research partnerships with institutions in Sweden, Japan, the United States, Germany, Finland, France, and other countries.
Its Taiwan–Sweden collaborative research programme involves cooperation with KTH Royal Institute of Technology on micro/nano engineering research.
Such partnerships provide opportunities to compare experimental methods, technical systems, and engineering approaches across different research environments.
Research areas include biosensing, microfluidics, microsystems, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
Supporting Evidence
NTHU Institute of NanoEngineering and MicroSystems international research submission.
Recommended documentation: Project approvals, joint publications, and comparative technical research results.
Relevant SDGs: 9, 12, and 17.
5. Comparative International Research on Technology Governance and Peacebuilding
5.1 Semiconductor and Supply Chain Resilience in 2025
On September 19, 2025, Professor Ching-Fu Lin of NTHU's Institute of Law for Science and Technology participated as a speaker in the "Semiconductor and Supply Chain Resilience" symposium organized by Taiwan's delegation to the World Trade Organization.
The event involved representatives from WTO member delegations, international organizations, and academia.
Discussions addressed global semiconductor supply-chain restructuring, technological competition, geopolitical pressures, and the role of international trade institutions in supporting economic and technological resilience.
By exchanging perspectives across different jurisdictions and institutions, the event contributed to comparative discussions of technology governance and international economic cooperation.
Supporting Evidence
Taiwan's WTO delegation, Semiconductor and Supply Chain Resilience Symposium:
https://www.roc-taiwan.org/wto/post/3192.html
5.2 Comparative AI Governance Research at Kyoto University in 2026
In May 2026, an NTHU researcher participated in an academic exchange at Kyoto University, Japan, and delivered a presentation entitled "From Act-Based Criminal Law to Smart Order: Freedom and Responsibility in Modern Society."
The research compared theoretical approaches in Taiwanese and German criminal law to examine challenges concerning human agency, responsibility, and accountability in an increasingly AI-driven society.
The discussions covered AI legal personality, human–machine collaboration, expert decision-making, institutional responsibility, and the rule of law.
Through comparative legal analysis and discussions with Japanese scholars, the exchange explored governance principles and legal approaches that may inform responsible artificial intelligence practices across jurisdictions.
Supporting Evidence
NTHU College of Technology Management 2026 research exchange submission.
Recommended documentation: Kyoto University workshop programme, presentation records, and related research outputs.
5.3 Constitutions for Peace: International Research on Constitutional Governance
Associate Professor Yi-Li Lee of NTHU's Institute of Law for Science and Technology participated in the transnational research project:
"Constitutions for Peace: The Role of Constitutional Changes in Promoting Coexistence and Social Reconstruction in Societies in Transition."
The project was jointly organized by the International Catalan Institute for Peace (ICIP), a Spanish NGO, and the Faculty of Law at the University of Barcelona.
Bringing together constitutional scholars and researchers from different countries, the initiative examined how constitutional institutions can support peaceful coexistence, democratic development, and social reconstruction in societies undergoing political transition or recovering from conflict.
The research compared institutional experiences and explored approaches to constitutional reform, social inclusion, and peacebuilding.
It contributed to the development of comparative perspectives and policy-relevant recommendations for constitutional governance in transitional societies.
In June 2026, participating researchers submitted a collaborative manuscript to the International Journal of Transitional Justice.
This collaboration provides an example of joint international research involving a university and an NGO, with a direct connection to SDG 16.
Manuscript submission does not establish journal acceptance or publication, and the research recommendations should not be described as governmental policies that have already been adopted.
Supporting Evidence
Constitutions for Peace international research event:
https://www.constitutions4peace.com/events-1/international-conference-constitutions-4-peace
Source: NTHU Institute of Law for Science and Technology international research submission.
Recommended documentation: Joint research manuscript, submission record, and comparative research findings.
5.4 Sustainable Development and International Law in Asia
On January 17, 2024, Professor Ching-Fu Lin participated in the Asia International Law Workshop organized by Singapore Management University's Yong Pung How School of Law.
The workshop focused on "Sustainable Development and International Law."
Researchers discussed emerging technologies, international trade, investment, and sustainable governance from Asian and international legal perspectives.
The exchange supported comparative consideration of legal frameworks and regionally appropriate approaches to international governance.
Supporting Evidence
NTHU Institute of Law for Science and Technology 2024 international workshop submission.
Direct event documentation remains to be added.
5.5 International Climate Law and Carbon Market Research Networks
NTHU's Institute of Law for Science and Technology maintains research connections with international networks, including International Climate Dialogue and Perspectives Climate Group.
Through international climate conferences, bilateral discussions, and Europe–Asia legal forums, researchers exchange knowledge concerning climate policy, carbon market governance, and legal frameworks for low-carbon transitions.
These partnerships provide opportunities to compare different national approaches and contribute to research-based understanding of sustainable climate governance.
Supporting Evidence
NTHU College of Technology Management international climate law research submission.
Recommended documentation: Joint studies, conference proceedings, and published comparative research.
Relevant SDGs: 9, 13, 16, and 17.
6. International Biomedical Research and Health-related Collaboration
6.1 Long-term Biomedical Partnership with Osaka University
NTHU's College of Life Sciences and Medicine maintains a long-term research and academic partnership with Osaka University, Japan.
Over the past decade, researchers from the two institutions have undertaken more than ten bilateral academic exchanges.
Building upon these interactions, NTHU and Osaka University established a dual doctoral degree programme supporting research training across the two universities.
According to the college's submission, two Taiwanese students have completed the dual doctoral programme.
The collaboration supports international research networking, biomedical training, and the exchange of scientific methods and academic experience.
Additional joint research findings would strengthen evidence of specific SDG-related best practices developed through the partnership.
Supporting Evidence
NTHU College of Life Sciences and Medicine submission concerning Osaka University cooperation.
Recommended documentation: Dual doctoral programme agreement, joint research publications, and biomedical research outcomes.
6.2 Biomedical Exchange with Three Indonesian Universities in 2025
NTHU's College of Life Sciences and Medicine has maintained academic exchanges with Universitas Negeri Malang in Indonesia since 2018.
The relationship began through participation in the International Conference on Life Science and Technology (iCoLiST), subsequently supporting continuing academic networking and research exchanges.
In 2025, NTHU participated in bilateral academic exchanges with Universitas Negeri Malang, Universitas Brawijaya, and Universitas Sebelas Maret.
The activities provided opportunities for researchers to share biomedical research experience and explore future collaborative studies.
Supporting Evidence
NTHU biomedical academic exchange with three Indonesian universities, 2025:
https://sdgs.nthu.edu.tw/our-response/collections/page/6a128d8ee4a641ff81dea8b90a4f970a
6.3 Biomedical Engineering Research with the University of British Columbia
NTHU's biomedical engineering researchers have collaborated with a research team from the University of British Columbia in Canada on pharmaceutical and drug-delivery technologies.
The reported research involves sublingual formulations associated with cancer treatment and diabetes.
The cooperation combines research expertise in biomedical engineering, medicine-related technologies, and drug-delivery approaches.
It illustrates how international research can contribute to the exploration of innovative healthcare technologies.
Supporting Evidence
NTHU College of Engineering international biomedical research submission.
Recommended documentation: Joint publications, technology development records, and experimental validation results.
Relevant SDGs: 3, 4, 9, and 17.
7. International Sustainability Education and Academic Practices
7.1 Overseas University Partnerships and Sustainability Education
Tsing Hua College maintains international academic connections supporting the exchange of experience concerning climate action, net-zero transition, sustainable education, and campus governance.
Earlier institutional submissions mention participation in international sustainability education networks and conferences, including activities associated with the International Sustainable Campus Network.
These exchanges allow university representatives to discuss sustainability education, environmental management, and community participation across higher education systems.
They provide useful references for developing local sustainability initiatives and institutional practices.
However, specific network membership, completed joint research projects, and formally developed best practices require further documentation.
Supporting Evidence
NTHU Tsing Hua College international sustainability education submission.
Recommended documentation: Collaboration agreements, research publications, conference programmes, and comparative studies.
7.2 International Dual Degrees and Research Training
NTHU maintains international academic arrangements with institutions including Osaka University, Hokkaido University, Tohoku University, and the University of Liverpool.
The College of Science's cooperation with Tohoku University supports doctoral research training across the two institutions.
NTHU's Department of Chemistry also participates in international internship and academic exchange programmes, including the Taiwan International Internship Program (IIPP) and the Taiwan Experience Education Program (TEEP).
These arrangements facilitate the exchange of research methods, educational approaches, and academic experience.
They support the broader institutional foundation for international collaboration, although dual-degree or exchange arrangements alone do not demonstrate completed SDG best-practice development.
Supporting Evidence
NTHU College of Science, Department of Chemistry, and Office of Global Affairs international cooperation submissions.
Recommended documentation: Completed joint research and comparative education outcomes.
7.3 Prospective Collaboration with the Asian University for Women
NTHU's Office of Global Affairs continues reviewing its internationalization and sustainability strategies.
The university has also reported plans to develop cooperation with the Asian University for Women in Bangladesh.
Proposed areas include women's education, leadership development, international exchange, and future SDG-related research.
The initiative is relevant to SDGs 4, 5, and 17.
As of October 2026, the cooperation was still being planned and is not presented as a completed joint research project.
Supporting Evidence
NTHU Office of Global Affairs:
https://www.oga.nthu.edu.tw/TabContentView/33#category/EventSnapshots
This is an institutional international cooperation information page and does not independently confirm the signing of the proposed agreement.
7.4 International Exchange on Sustainable Arts and Cultural Education
NTHU's arts and cultural units organize or participate in international academic exchanges concerning museum management, cultural sustainability, arts education, and cultural transmission.
Experts and scholars from different countries share practices relating to the sustainable management of cultural institutions and public engagement in the arts.
These activities provide references for considering how different museums and cultural organizations approach education, heritage conservation, and institutional sustainability.
Supporting Evidence
NTHU Arts and Culture Center institutional submission.
Recommended documentation: International conference programmes, participating institutions, and comparative research outcomes.
8. Key Characteristics of NTHU's International Best Practice Collaboration
8.1 Comparing International Sustainability Approaches
NTHU examines differences among countries and regions in watershed governance, light pollution management, sustainable manufacturing, and institutional development.
8.2 Adapting International Experience to Local Conditions
Research teams consider differences in culture, public institutions, community participation, industrial structures, and technological capacity before exploring the application of international practices.
8.3 Connecting Research with Technical and Institutional Applications
Collaborative research involving microfluidic chemical processing, environmental governance, and comparative law supports the exploration of methods relevant to industrial innovation and public policy.
8.4 Integrating Environmental, Technological, Health, and Social Dimensions
NTHU's international partnerships address multiple SDGs through interdisciplinary research and knowledge exchange.
9. Continuing Commitment
National Tsing Hua University will continue strengthening international collaboration and comparative research to identify effective approaches to sustainability challenges.
Future priorities include climate and water governance, light pollution prevention, sustainable manufacturing, biomedical innovation, responsible technology, and institutional development.
Through joint research, field investigations, technical validation, comparative analysis, and partnerships with international organizations, NTHU seeks to generate evidence that can inform practical sustainability approaches across different regional contexts.
The university remains committed to international knowledge sharing and the continuing development of adaptable, research-informed methods for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.