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Advancing Sustainability｜NTHU’s “REAL-X: A Regional Sustainability Support System from Migration to Livability” Recognized

National Tsing Hua University has been honored with the 2026 CommonWealth Magazine University Civic Engagement Award, ranking second among large public universities. This recognition highlights the University’s comprehensive achievements in governance, teaching commitment, social engagement, and environmental sustainability.

Over the years, NTHU has embedded University Social Responsibility (USR) into the core of its institutional development, actively promoting the integration of “USR × ESG.” Through interdisciplinary collaboration, the University connects the technology sector, local governments, and community organizations to gradually build a model for regional co-prosperity.

Among its flagship initiatives is “REAL-X: A Regional Sustainability Support System from Migration to Livability.” The project focuses on the urban–rural transformations driven by population mobility in the Greater Hsinchu area. Spanning cities, rural communities, and industrial zones, it integrates coursework, research, and hands-on practice to develop a support system that facilitates the transition from migration to livability. Each year, more than 20 courses and over 600 students participate, engaging with Hsinchu’s old town, the mountainous areas of Guanxi, and the Hukou Industrial Zone to address issues such as regional revitalization, industrial transformation, and multicultural inclusion.

The project also promotes the revitalization of historic commercial districts, introduces AI to support local industry upgrades, and addresses migrant workers’ rights and living conditions. Through these efforts, it continues to build an interdisciplinary collaboration network, making sustainability not just a concept, but a long-term, actionable practice rooted in local communities.

Vice President Ping-Chiang Lü, the project’s principal investigator, attended the award ceremony on behalf of the University. He noted that this recognition belongs not only to the institution, but also to all faculty members, students, and partners who actively engage with communities. NTHU not only advances teaching and research, but also brings expertise into real-world contexts—working alongside communities to confront challenges and co-create solutions.

Vice President Lü further shared: “We see students stepping into old towns, forests, and industrial zones, transforming knowledge into action. At the same time, we see communities gradually building their own capacity, making sustainability not just a project, but a way of life that can be sustained.”

Looking ahead, NTHU will continue to deepen the integration of USR and ESG, fostering connections among technology, humanities, and social engagement, and working with more partners to respond to societal needs and build a more resilient and sustainable future.

(Photo courtesy of CommonWealth Magazine; photo by Kuan Hsieh)

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