For the first time, Asia University participated in the prestigious event "2023 TCSA Taiwan Corporate Sustainability Awards," organized by the Taiwan Sustainable Energy Research Foundation. It received both the "Outstanding Sustainable University Award" and the "Silver Award for Sustainability Reports," showcasing Asia University's comprehensive efforts in promoting sustainability as well as its commitment to the goal of sustainable mutual benefit.
President Jeffrey J. P. Tsai of Asia University stated that for the past 23 years since its establishment, Asia University has continuously focused on environmental protection issues. It has integrated into its major academic objectives the United Nations SDGs sustainable development goals and goals for achieving net zero emissions to protect the living environment. Asia University considers sustainability part of its social responsibility. The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Impact Rankings have consistently listed Asia University for five consecutive years. The university has shown remarkable performance in indicators such as "Zero Hunger," "Quality Education," and "Sustainable Cities and Communities." It also continues to support projects in internet addiction prevention, elderly dementia care, local cultural preservation, food and agriculture education, and the integration and promotion of AI technology in education.
President Tsai pointed out that Asia University has continued its commitment from 2021 by signing "Energy Policies," the "UN 2050 Net Zero Carbon Emission Declaration," and joining the "Taiwan Talent Sustainable Action Alliance" in spirit and action. In 2022, Asia University signed the "University Sustainable Development Initiative" and the "Sustainable Development Cooperation Intention" with the Taiwan Sustainable Energy Research Foundation. It actively integrates SDGs into teaching, research, and university governance. Through the developed Internet of Things platform (AUtalk), comprehensive data collection and the establishment of a smart campus have been realized, making sustainability a way of life. These efforts were acknowledged with the "2022 ESG Sustainability Innovation Award."
Vice President and Director of Sustainability Wu Tsung-neng mentioned that since the establishment of the Office for Sustainable Development, they have engaged the university community in various activities such as a series of lectures on "Sustainable Faculty Talent Training," "Sustainability Awareness Tests," "Deep Campus Engagement for Sustainable Practices," "Asia University Green Campus Lifestyle Proposal Competition," and the preparation of sustainability reports. These initiatives encourage faculty, staff, and students to participate in contemplating and proposing solutions for sustainability issues. For instance, the "2023 Sustainable Development Learning Week" is held annually in collaboration with China Medical University's system of schools. This year's theme is "Climate Change X Health X Youth Action," aiming to combine climate change, health, and individual learning for practical application in daily life.
Dean of Student Affairs and Deputy Director of Sustainability Chang Shao-liang stated that in recent years, Asia University has actively promoted various sustainable development goals, focusing on nurturing "green finance talents." In the future, the university plans to establish achievable goals based on the international university sustainability evaluation system called STARS, established by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) in the United States. These goals will cover areas like teaching and research, campus and public engagement, campus environmental management, and sustainable planning and administration. Additionally, based on the standards of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Asia University aims to establish an impact assessment and management mechanism to build a sustainable and better Asia University.
