National Dong Hwa University（NDHU）earned dual honors at the "2024 Taiwan University Sustainability Awards," hosted by the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy（TAISE）, receiving the "Top 10 Exemplary Sustainable Universities in Taiwan" award and the "Platinum Award for Sustainability Reports."

NDHU President Hui-Mi Hsu expressed his gratitude, noting, "The 'Top 10 Exemplary Sustainable Universities in Taiwan' and the 'Platinum Award for Sustainability Reports' represent the highest recognition in the categories of comprehensive sustainability performance and sustainability reporting, respectively. Achieving both awards is a rare honor and a testament to the dedication of our faculty, staff, and students. It is the best gift to receive as we celebrate NDHU's 30^th anniversary." The Director of the Center for Sustainability Development Chun-Hung Lee also highlighted the intense competition this year, with 22 universities participating in the comprehensive performance award category and 35 in the sustainability report evaluation.

Leveraging its rich natural surroundings, NDHU actively installs solar panels to provide green energy, while encouraging students to engage in biodiversity conservation through service learning. NDHU's ecological initiatives include participation in citizen scientist projects for frog data collection, sea turtle rescue and conservation, native tree planting survey on campus, and offering related courses. Additionally, NDHU extended its commitment to sustainability beyond Taiwan's borders by collaborating with Vietnam on research examining human-elephant coexistence strategies and interaction, fostering the spirit of sustainable coexistence with nature internationally.

NDHU also collaborates with organizations such as the National Science and Technology Council and the National Fire Agency on disaster preparedness and resilience projects, supporting Hualien County and local communities to enhance disaster prevention capabilities and reduce disaster risk. Through the Ministry of Education's "Higher Education Sprout Project" under the University Social Responsibility（USR）program, NDHU actively engages in social practices in Hualien and indigenous communities, and fulfill the commitments made in the "Sustainable Development Goals Declaration."

"Sustainable development is a global consensus and the core of NDHU's institutional mission." Recently, NDHU publishes a comprehensive sustainability report annually, transparently disclosing its ESG actions and achievements in environmental conservation, social engagement, and talent development. The 2023 sustainability report features a special section detailing how NDHU integrates the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals（SDGs）and Taiwan's 18 SDG indicators into its daily operations, along with a single-page summary highlighting key ESG actions for the year. This year, NDHU again excelled in the Taiwan University Sustainability Awards, earning the Platinum Award for Sustainability Reports.

National Dong Hwa University extends its heartfelt gratitude to its long-term partners in the publication of its Sustainability Report-Leadership Management Consulting Co. Ltd. and TŰV NORD Taiwan. Together, we share this honor with our dedicated collaborators as we move forward toward the next sustainability milestone.