Edited by Chance Lai
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) received a total of seven accolades at the 2025 Asia-Pacific and Taiwan Sustainability Action Awards (APSAA & TSAA), recognizing four exemplary projects under the university’s University Social Responsibility (USR) and sustainability portfolio. The honors include one Silver and two Bronze awards from the APSAA, as well as three Gold and one Bronze awards from the TSAA, affirming NYCU’s role as a leader in integrating the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into education, research, and community impact.
This year’s awards attracted 115 submissions from across the Asia-Pacific region, including the United States, Honduras, Italy, Switzerland, and the Philippines. NYCU’s initiatives were recognized for their real-world results in addressing pressing societal challenges through interdisciplinary research and cross-sector collaboration.
AI for Dental Equity in Remote Communities
One of the award-winning projects builds on NYCU’s four-decade tradition of free dental services in remote areas. Led by Associate Professor Ding-Han Wang, the team developed an AI-powered oral health risk prediction system paired with digital co-learning tools, creating a replicable model for preventive dental care in underserved regions.
The initiative received both a Silver medal in the APSAA and a Gold medal in the TSAA under SDG3 (Good Health and Well-being). It was praised for promoting both health equity and digital inclusion.
Indigenous Eldercare, Designed with Respect
In Taiwan’s Indigenous communities, Professor Yiing-Mei Liou and her team designed a culturally sensitive long-term care model that integrates tribal languages, music-assisted seated rehabilitation, pain visualization tools, and smart sensor systems.
Developed through deep collaboration with local elders and organizations, the project addresses the complex intersections of aging, cultural dignity, and access to healthcare. It was recognized with an APSAA Bronze and a TSAA Gold medal, both under SDG3, and serves as a model for inclusive eldercare that respects cultural identity while embracing innovation.
Engineering a Carbon-Negative Future
Tackling climate change head-on, Associate Professor Sung-Fu Hong led a project focused on negative carbon technologies—including carbon capture, conversion, and reuse—aiming not only to reduce future emissions but also to remove existing atmospheric CO₂.
The research is closely tied to NYCU’s curriculum and campus operations, transforming sustainability from a concept into a daily practice. The project earned both APSAA and TSAA Bronze medals under SDG 13 (Climate Action) and reflects how engineering research can directly contribute to national energy transition goals.
Turning Industrial Memory into Living Sustainability
In a powerful example of urban-rural regeneration, Professor Wen-Shu Lai extended NYCU’s long-running Hsinchu Living Museum initiative to revitalize the historical site of the Sixth Naphtha Cracking Plant and the Touqian River ecosystem.
Through public walking courses, citizen science actions, and interdisciplinary workshops, the project weaves together ecological restoration, industrial heritage preservation, and civic participation. It received a TSAA Gold medal under SDG11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and has been previously featured by both domestic and international media for its community impact.
Empowering Societal Impact Through Evidence-Based USR
“These honors are more than awards—they’re a reflection of our belief that science should serve society,” said Prof. Sirirat Sae Lim, Executive Director of NYCU’s Office of Sustainability and Social Responsibility. “By embedding sustainability in education, research, and public engagement, we hope to model what a truly responsible university can be.”
From remote villages to aging communities, from carbon emissions to forgotten factories, NYCU’s award-winning projects prove that innovation with empathy is the most sustainable path forward.
撰文：國際宣傳辦公室 賴嬿阡 / 圖片提供：永社辦
