Sustainability in Action｜NTHU Ranked Second Among the “Top 10 Model Universities of the Year”

The 2025 Taiwan Sustainable University Awards, organized by the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy (TAISE), announced its winners today. NTHU stood out among universities nationwide and ranked second overall, earning a place among the Top 10 Model Universities of the Year, guided by the spirit of “NTHU for Sustainability: Act Together.”

NTHU is the first university in Taiwan to establish a Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) system. Grounded in the core belief that “actions speak louder than words,” the university encourages faculty, staff, and students to turn sustainability into everyday practice through initiatives such as the NTHU Sustainability Awards, the Campus Sustainability Living Lab, and the Sustainability Student Ambassadors program.

“Sustainability is a form of communication.”

Chief Sustainability Officer Furen Lin emphasized that sustainability requires coordination and collaboration both within and beyond the institution. NTHU established the Sustainable Development Committee, composed of sustainability leads from various units, to formulate mid- and long-term sustainability plans through extensive dialogue. Cross-disciplinary collaboration is one of NTHU’s greatest strengths—and the solid foundation of its sustainability efforts.

In terms of education quality and sustainable development, NTHU’s curriculum is deeply aligned with SDGs, and departments across the university continue to expand SDG-related course offerings.

On social inclusion, NTHU promotes diverse admission pathways such as the Sunrise Program and the Gleaner Program, recognizing students from different backgrounds and providing tuition waivers, scholarships, and counseling support to ensure equitable access to higher education.

At the same time, NTHU is not only advancing four major USR (University Social Responsibility) projects that actively address local issues in Hsinchu’s urban and rural areas, but is also partnering with alumni and Hsinchu Science Park companies to implement over 50 ESG projects, extending the university’s impact across the region.

This recognition belongs to every member of the NTHU community who quietly puts sustainability into practice every day.

We will continue to respond to society’s expectations with concrete actions, working hand in hand with Taiwan to build a more resilient future.

Photo courtesy of the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy (TAISE)