College of Sustainability Opens at NTHU
The College of Sustainability at NTHU officially opened on May 23, with ROC president William Lai, minister of environment Chi-Ming Peng, and minister of the National Science Council Cheng-Wen Wu in attendance.
The College of Sustainability at National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) in Taiwan officially opened on May 23, with ROC president William Lai, minister of environment Chi-Ming Peng, and minister of the National Science Council Cheng-Wen Wu in attendance. Unique in Taiwan in its adoption of a cross-disciplinary approach, the College of Sustainability will inject academic momentum into the national sustainability strategy. It is tasked with training the “green-collar” professionals who will lead Taiwan towards net zero emissions by 2050.
The College of Sustainability at NTHU officially opened on May 23, with ROC president William Lai, minister of environment Chi-Ming Peng, and minister of the National Science Council Cheng-Wen Wu in attendance.
NTHU president W. John Kao said that the College is well positioned to use cross-disciplinary technology to solve problems related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and to train students for careers in emerging fields such as carbon trading, net zero, and green finance, while enhancing Taiwan's international visibility and influence. Kao noted that the College will do so under the vision of “Striving together towards a sustainable NTHU, a sustainable Taiwan, and a sustainable future!” He thanked the president and ministers for their support, and said that he looks forward to the day when Taiwan is as well known for sustainability as it is for microchips.
NTHU president W. John Kao looks forward to the day when Taiwan is as well known for sustainability as it is for microchips.
The College of Sustainability is the 13th college at NTHU. Dean Chien-Te Fan said that the College will integrate science and engineering with the humanities and social sciences to promote research across disciplines, institutions, and national borders, while responding to multiple challenges with an innovative public-private partnership model. He emphasized that sustainable development must be based on a proper scientific foundation, and that basic science is one of NTHU's main strengths. The College will focus on key research issues and on training students to respond to geopolitical challenges, including climate change, food scarcity, and resource depletion.
The College of Sustainability has applied to the Ministry of Education to open a master's degree program in sustainable technology at the Nanda Campus of NTHU as well as an institute of sustainable management and climate policy at the Kaohsiung Campus. It is expected to begin enrolling students in 2026. Future plans include cross-disciplinary credit programs, corporate microcredential courses, and government training programs.
Under the auspices of the Ministry of Environment, NTHU has also signed a letter of intent for partnering with seven enterprises to implement sustainable development goals, including ASE Holdings, United Microelectronics, Delta Electronics, ADATA Technology, China Steel, Swancor, and MAtek, demonstrating their joint commitment to advancing green growth and achieving net-zero emissions.
Left to right: Peggy Liu of ASE Holdings, KF Chen of China Steel, TS Wu of United Microelectronics, Hsiao-Te Tsai of Swancor, Chih-Hung Chou of Delta Electronics, Yong-Fen Hsieh of MAtek, Simon Chen of ADATA Technology, Minister Chi-Ming Peng, NTHU president W. John Kao, NTHU senior vice presidents Nyan-Hwa Tai, Ping-Chiang Lyu, and Hsiang-Kuang Chang, and Dean Chien-Te Fan.
At the opening ceremony of the College of Sustainability.
The College of Sustainability at NTHU officially opened on May 23, with ROC president William Lai, minister of environment Chi-Ming Peng, and minister of the National Science Council Cheng-Wen Wu in attendance.