Taiwan Tech, in collaboration with Taiwan’s Ministry of Environment, recently co-hosted a campus lecture as part of the “Youth Participation in Climate Action at Universities and Colleges” series. The event, themed “Data, Technology, and Civic Action: Cross-Sector Collaboration for Sustainable Cities”, attracted nearly 130 students and members of the public interested in climate governance, sustainable development, and civic engagement. Through interdisciplinary dialogue and knowledge sharing, participants explored how younger generations can leverage technology and data to engage in climate action and contribute to the development of sustainable cities.
Taiwan Tech and the Ministry of Environment jointly organized the “Youth Participation in Climate Action at Universities and Colleges” series, attracting nearly 130 participants concerned with climate governance, sustainability, and public engagement.
As a university committed to promoting University Social Responsibility (USR) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, Taiwan Tech has continued to strengthen sustainability governance across its campus in recent years. In addition to implementing greenhouse gas inventories, energy management systems, and sustainability-focused curricula, the university has integrated sustainability concepts into campus culture and talent development programs. Its goal is to ensure that sustainability becomes an integral part of learning, research, and daily life rather than remaining a theoretical concept.
In his opening remarks, Professor Che-Chia Hu, Director of the Sustainability Development and Social Practice Promotion Division under Taiwan Tech’s Center for Sustainable Development and Institutional Research, emphasized the university’s significant investment in sustainability initiatives. He noted that sustainability should not merely be a term found in textbooks but should become a practical component of students’ lives and professional development. Professor Hu encouraged students to apply their knowledge of artificial intelligence, big data, and information technology to environmental issues and social practice, fostering a stronger sense of social responsibility and broader societal impact.
Professor Tsai-Chi Kuo of the Department of Industrial Management, who also served as the forum moderator, highlighted the importance of open government and public dialogue. He emphasized that meaningful climate transformation requires diverse communication channels and active youth participation. According to Professor Kuo, young people should view data and technology as empowering tools that enable them to transform professional expertise into concrete action. He argued that public policies become more effective and widely supported when information is accessible, understandable, and capable of engaging a broad range of stakeholders in informed discussion.
Professor Che-Chia Hu delivered opening remarks on Taiwan Tech’s commitment to sustainability education and social engagement.
Professor Tsai-Chi Kuo described youth engagement as a driving force behind climate transformation.
The forum brought together representatives from government, industry, academia, and civil society to exchange perspectives on climate governance and sustainable transformation in Taiwan. Shu-Mei Lo, an analyst of the Net-Zero Promotion Division at the Climate Change Administration under the Ministry of Environment, shared insights from the perspective of public governance, discussing how transparent and accountable pathways toward sustainability can be established. Meanwhile, Chung-Wei Lai, General Manager of WeatherRisk Explore Inc., explained how businesses can contribute to open government initiatives and climate governance through data integration and cross-departmental collaboration.
The event attracted students and members of the public eager to explore how technology and data can support youth participation in climate action and sustainable urban development.
The forum featured speakers from government, industry, civil society, and youth organizations. From top left to bottom right: Shu-Mei Lo, Analyst at the Climate Change Administration; Han-Wei Chang, Deputy Secretary-General of the Taiwan Green Energy for Charity Association; Ya-Chi Lei, Member of the Executive Yuan Youth Advisory Committee; and Chung-Wei Lai, General Manager of WeatherRisk Explore Inc.
In addition, Han-Wei Chang, Deputy Secretary-General of the Taiwan Green Energy for Charity Association, discussed how data can empower climate action. He demonstrated how data analytics and visualization tools can significantly enhance public understanding of climate issues and encourage greater civic participation. Ya-Chi Lei, a member of the Executive Yuan Youth Advisory Committee, shared her experiences in youth advocacy and public engagement, illustrating how young people can influence policy discussions and contribute to social change.
Participants listened attentively to presentations and discussions throughout the event.
During the panel discussion session, Associate Professor Ching-Ching Weng from Taiwan Tech’s Graduate Institute of Technology Management joined the conversation. Students and attendees actively submitted questions through the Slido interactive platform, generating discussions on topics such as data transparency and utilization, pathways from awareness to action for young people, and emerging opportunities in green careers. To conclude the event, participants took part in a Kahoot! interactive quiz that tested their climate knowledge in an engaging and educational format.
Taiwan Tech hopes that the forum will encourage cross-generational and interdisciplinary public dialogue while helping young people develop the skills needed for future green-collar careers. The university also seeks to inspire students to combine technological expertise with social responsibility, empowering them to take their first steps toward public participation and become active contributors to climate sustainability.
Students and members of the public actively participated in discussions through the Slido real-time interaction platform.
Group photo of distinguished guests. From left to right: Kan-Yen Lin, Secretary-General of the Taiwan Climate Alliance; Ya-Chi Lei, Member of the Executive Yuan Youth Advisory Committee; Shu-Mei Lo, Analyst at the Climate Change Administration; Professor Tsai-Chi Kuo of Taiwan Tech and forum moderator; Che-Chia Hu, Director of the Sustainability Development and Social Practice Promotion Division at Taiwan Tech; Han-Wei Chang, Deputy Secretary-General of the Taiwan Green Energy for Charity Association; and Chung-Wei Lai, General Manager of WeatherRisk Explore Inc.