Taipei Tech held an on-campus university social responsibility (USR) exhibition from May 10 to May 12 to showcase the university’s many USR projects and their results.

The USR projects of Taipei Tech are the collective effort of the USR Office and the faculty members and students of various departments. The projects focus on community regeneration and sustainable development; the many Taipei Tech USR teams bring their expertise to many local communities throughout Taiwan.

The architecture students proposed a plan that aims to make communities more friendly to the aging population. Based on the findings of their field research and survey, the plan includes community living, micro eldercare centers for senior citizens, care cafés, friendly stores, and pedestrian zones. The senior-friendly community that they envision effectively combines a people-oriented concept and the professional angle of architectural design and environmental psychology.

Another project presented in the exhibition is the water quality monitoring system deployed in the clam farming ponds in Kouhu Township, Yunlin. A team composed of faculty members and students from the departments of Chemical Engineering, Computer Science & Information Engineering, and Business Management installed industry-grade sensors that can monitor the pH scale, oxidation level, oxygen level, and temperature in the ponds. The data is sent to a server, and the clam farmers can use an app on their mobile phone to see the data. The project has increased the production rate of clam farming.  

Members of the departments of Interaction Design and Computer Science & Information Engineering utilized virtual reality to engage tourists in Nangan Township, Matsu to stimulate local tourism. The team also recruited and trained volunteers from local elementary schools and middle schools to become familiar with VR and AR technologies. Through this training, local students can become more technologically savvy and learn more about local history.

Taipei Tech President Wang Sea-Fue noted that the Taipei Tech USR projects have resulted in many fruitful achievements over the years. USR teams have built a direct-to-consumer produce store in the indigenous community of Jianshi Township in Hsinchu, revitalized and preserved the heritage of the woodworking industry in Fengyuan District in Taichung, and held beach cleanup activities in Jinshan District of New Taipei City. Wang encouraged more faculty members and students to find their passion and join the university’s USR effort.