The First ESG Forum and Sustainability Expo in Hsinchu Science Park, linking local communities, enterprises and schools to form a sustainable platform; inviting 12 experts to give insightful lectures and gathering 22 local organizations (Ten Mile Circle, Big Gulp of Rice, Dashan Beiyue, Little Wilderness, Wooden Vinegar Artist, Housewives' Alliance, Old Players, Seeing the Field, Gradient Planting, Nature Valley Environmental Trust, Xiangshan Hope Farm, Original Mushroom Township, Island Harbor Fung Nest, Wilderness Preservation Association, Tsinghua University). Carbon Rights Platform, Hsinchu County Beipu Township Nanpu Community Development Association, Hsinchu City Central Image Business District Promotion Association, Hongmei Cultural and Creative Enterprise, Taiwan Fenghuozi Association, Hsinchu City Government, Hsinchu County Government, Tsinghua University Center for Regional Innovation), the total number of participants reached 232 (the number of people counted in the questionnaires, and those who did not fill in the answers were not included in the calculation). According to the feedback statistics, among the three major themes of the forum, the themes that participants would like to further expand are, in descending order, Green Consumption and Carbon Reduction Platform, Biodiversity and Circular Economy, and Community Building and Local Creation. Among the ESG proposals shared by each unit, the top six proposals or organizations interested in learning more were Carbon Passbook (Tsinghua University), Sustainable Bazaar (Tsinghua University), Wooden Vinegar Artist, Taiwan Harvest Association, Eat Rice, and Wilderness Preservation Association. In addition, among Tsinghua's nine USR teams and the results of the food and agriculture programs, the ones that received higher attention were the Regional Support System for Food and Agriculture, Touqian Creek Living Circle, Hsinchu Green Sports Tourism, and Nanliao Xiangshanli Shanlihai. What's more, after the forum, as many as 60% of the individuals and companies expressed their interest in discussing with Tsinghua University more possibilities of ESG cooperation, and there were often companies or conceptual units standing around in the exhibition hall to exchange ideas, which indicates that the forum has successfully opened up dialogues among all parties. The above feedback shows that the Forum has been very fruitful, and with this as the cornerstone, we are looking forward to the second ESG Forum in Hsinchu Science Park from the perspective of impact, action and foresight.

(1) Three Main Themes and Keynote Sessions:

(2) Hsinchu Literary Walk Project: Co-created by National Tsing Hua University and VisEra Technologies Company Limited, this initiative aims to establish a Greater Hsinchu cultural history interpretation and eco-tourism brand. Local organizations manage walking routes and locations, while Tsing Hua University oversees the development of an app and AR-based reality games. VisEra Technologies has donated NT$1.8 million, with employees participating in route explorations. The first phase of the project was launched from July to December 2024. By June 2027, the project aims to implement 30 walking routes, including two routes in each area of Hsinchu City's East, North, and Xiangshan Districts, as well as in the 13 towns and cities of Hsinchu County.

(3) "Chill Wind" Donghai Cave Beer Walking Festival: Organized by the Taiwan Feng He Zi Association, with co-sponsorship by the Guanghe Cultural Studio, Tian Dad Champion Rice, and Jincai Brewery Co., Ltd., and academic guidance from National Tsing Hua University's Real+ Regional Industry and Cultural Support System for Hsinchu and the Greater Hsinchu Food and Agricultural Education Regional Support System Project.

Donghai Cave's unique sandy loam soil and winter monsoon winds provide ideal growing conditions for cold-loving, water-sensitive wheat. Local farmer Mr. Tian Shouxi, in collaboration with the Taoyuan District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, introduced and adapted the "Taichung Selected No. 2" wheat variety, reviving Hsinchu's agricultural heritage. Jincai Brewery in Zhubei uses Tian Dad's wheat as its main ingredient, blending it with sweet orange peel and coriander seeds to craft the crisp and refreshing "Puyu Wheat Ale," which won a bronze medal at the 2023 World Beer Awards (WBA). This showcases the perfect union of local specialties and artisanal brewing techniques.

The walking festival bridges beer with the land, inviting the public to explore Donghai Cave's story, savor the unique flavor of wheat brews, and experience the harmony of nature and culture through leisurely walks. Highlights include the screening of The Nest Collapses at the Hecheng Cinema, followed by a discussion session. By engaging all five senses with the land, participants are encouraged to reflect on the relationship between humans and the environment.

(4) Local Specialty Market for Park Enterprises:

Over the past six months, the ESG team from National Tsing Hua University has visited Hsinchu Science Park companies to gather insights and highlight the rich cultural and local practices of Greater Hsinchu. By actively connecting businesses with community organizations, the team aims to provide Hsinchu Science Park employees with vibrant living and leisure spaces. Tailoring markets to meet corporate expectations and needs, the team invites diverse local organizations to host customized, place-based sustainable markets, encouraging participation from small local producers.  

August 16: Thirteen local initiatives participated in Mitac Group's 35th-anniversary celebration. One standout was the Xiangshan-based Xianbier Distillery, which impressed attendees. Many employees expressed surprise and delight at discovering such a distinctive local brewery in their area.  

October 19: The team organized the "Hsinchu Good Days" market for the New Kinpo Group's Family Day. The event included local groups, a zero-packaging farmers' market, secondhand book exchanges, craft workshops, ESG lectures, and featured presentations. It provided employees with diverse sustainable experiences beyond simple consumption.  

December 6: At Chipbond Technology, the team combined the company's Qili Cup Sports Day with a local specialty market to promote sustainable concepts. Among eight local groups, Yu Da Guanxi Grass Jelly brought grass jelly products that sold out quickly, and fresh duck eggs from Wu Fu Dan Farm were also snapped up early. Employees expressed their enthusiasm to the Tsing Hua organizing team, requesting more vendors and larger stock quantities for the next event.  

(5) Promoting ESG Internship Collaboration: Since 2019, National Tsing Hua University's Regional Innovation Center has worked with the university's Office of Academic Affairs and the Ministry of Education's iLink program to advance long-term industry internship initiatives. This year, the program introduced new sustainability-focused positions, aiming to cultivate green-collar talent in response to societal needs through collaboration between industry and academia.

Through these internships, students gain access to firsthand sustainability insights and the rare opportunity to implement projects themselves, establishing a foundational pathway to sustainable careers. Companies offering ESG internship positions include: United Daily News Group, Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Chipbond Technology, Epistar Corporation, MediaTek, Accton Technology, Vanguard International Semiconductor, Etron Technology, AUO, VisEra Technologies, Yuan Gu Technology, Chi Green International, and Alpha Energy Storage.

(6) National Tsing Hua University's Grounded Academic Approach to Local Revitalization: From a practice-oriented academic perspective, National Tsing Hua University engages faculty, students, and local organizations to collaboratively initiate actions for regional revitalization, incorporating the strengths of counties, cities, and townships. Through forums and various partnerships, science park enterprises are integrated into a unified platform for sustainable practices in Greater Hsinchu.