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正體中文 
Yuan Ze University had long regarded sustainability and environmental governance as a core part of its development. Following its recognition with the 6th National Enterprise Environmental Protection Award – Bronze Award last year, the university once again received the 7th National Enterprise Environmental Protection Award – Bronze Award this year.
This honor not only demonstrated Yuan Ze’s concrete achievements in energy conservation, carbon reduction, and circular economy, but also highlighted the university’s comprehensive practices in educational innovation, campus governance, and social responsibility.
All courses, activities, and research outcomes at Yuan Ze University were required to indicate their relevance to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), guiding faculty and students to link learning and research with global sustainability issues. For example, the “Management” course at the College of Management integrated SDGs with design thinking, combining AI, aesthetics, social responsibility, and sustainability. Students were led from problem identification to project implementation, working with enterprises to develop creative products such as transforming imperfect vegetables into specialty alcoholic beverages or using steel scraps to produce supplies for stray animals—bringing the concept of circular economy into both daily life and industry.
The university also established a post-bachelor program in net-zero transition, covering green technologies, clean production, material recycling, and energy integration. The program strengthened students’ abilities in cross-disciplinary integration and innovative design, cultivating more sustainability professionals for society.
More than a decade ago, Yuan Ze had already implemented smart energy-saving measures, such as supplying electricity to classrooms only when classes were in session. It also continuously replaced equipment with high-efficiency lighting, inverter air conditioning, and new dormitory elevators with power recovery and reuse functions. The dormitories were further planned to be fully updated with inverter heating and cooling air conditioners, while the procurement of high-efficiency equipment was promoted. Between 2022 and 2024 (academic years 111 to 113), the university achieved a 7% per capita reduction in electricity consumption, showing remarkable energy-saving results.
The university voluntarily carried out greenhouse gas inventories and passed third-party external verification, and it was among the higher education institutions certified with the ISO 50001 Energy Management System, institutionalizing its energy governance. In terms of renewable energy, Yuan Ze leased the rooftops of its buildings to professional companies for the installation of solar photovoltaic systems, taking concrete action to support clean energy development. In addition, solar water heaters were installed in student dormitories to effectively reduce the electricity load and actual power consumption, reflecting the diverse aspects of the university’s energy transition.
Yuan Ze implemented green procurement policies, preferring equipment leasing over purchasing, and organized second-hand markets and book-sharing shelves. Many of the second-hand markets were initiated by students themselves, deepening the concept of resource recycling and embedding sustainability into campus culture. At the same time, the university assisted several companies in the Taoyuan Industrial District with carbon inventory and energy management, extending its expertise to the community and industry, promoting local low-carbon industrial transformation, and expanding its sustainable impact.
The university actively participated in the “Net-Zero Green Life Alliance,” promoting green restaurants, eco-friendly point systems, green transportation, and green office practices. In 2024 (academic year 113), Yuan Ze introduced shared electric scooters (OLOO) to encourage low-carbon commuting. The campus also hosted beach clean-ups, environmental education, and second-hand exchange activities, embedding sustainability practices in the daily lives of faculty and students.
In recent years, Yuan Ze had repeatedly been honored with awards such as the “Top 10 Sustainable Universities in Taiwan Award,” “Taiwan Corporate Sustainability Report Award – Silver,” “Taiwan Sustainability Action Award,” and the “Global Views USR University Social Responsibility Award.” These recognitions underscored its leadership in higher education sustainability. Yuan Ze University continued to advance sustainability through education, campus governance, and industry collaboration, working together with its faculty and students to promote low-carbon transition and taking concrete actions in response to the 2050 net-zero goal, establishing itself as a long-term model for higher education in sustainability.
