【News from the Office of University Social Responsibility】

Since 2019, the inaugural year of “Local Revitalization” in Taiwan, collaborative efforts between the government and civil society have sparked a wide range of initiatives across towns and communities, promoting balanced population development. Various departments at NCCU have introduced diverse courses integrating theory and practice. To foster students’ foundational understanding of local revitalization and cultivate perspectives rooted in different academic backgrounds, the Office of University Social Responsibility has launched general education courses such as “Introduction to Local Revitalization,” “Case Studies in Local Revitalization,” and “Terroir, Life, and Industry,” each offering unique approaches to the topic.

The office invited five students from the departments of Radio & Television, Public Administration, and Land Economics at NCCU to share their experiences in these courses. Through their reflections, they discussed not only their understanding of “revitalization” but also explored how they might engage with local revitalization in the future.

Spatial Planning and Local Revitalization — Yi-Ning

Yi-Ning, a third-year student in the Land Resources Planning Division of the Department of Land Economics, took the course “Terroir, Life, and Industry” due to her interest in geography. Her project focused on meigan cai (preserved mustard greens) to explore the geographical conditions, local lifestyles, and industrial development of Nanzhuang, Miaoli. Her understanding of local revitalization shifted from merely “bringing people back” to addressing the actual needs of local development and paying attention to the lives of existing residents.
Although originally from Taoyuan, she developed a deeper connection with places like Pinglin and Shiding through the course. She believes emotional bonds and community cohesion are vital to revitalization. Looking ahead, she hopes to apply her knowledge of spatial planning to develop projects grounded in local needs, such as industry and housing.

Spatial Surveying and Local Revitalization — Xin-Yun

Xin-Yun, a first-year student in the Land Surveying and Information Division, encountered local revitalization through SDG initiatives and government programs. After taking revitalization courses, she realized the topic goes beyond population issues and involves industry, technological innovation, and sustainability.
With her surveying background, she recognized that spatial perspectives—such as land use surveys and planning—can be entry points into revitalization. Originally from Kaohsiung, studying in Taipei has heightened her sense of local identity and interest in southern Taiwan. She hopes to combine spatial surveying with social design and innovation to develop community-based revitalization models.

Outsider Youth and Local Revitalization — Sheng-Zhi

Sheng-Zhi, a senior in Public Administration, became interested in local issues through a field research project in a local bookstore in Pingtung and later took the course “Introduction to Local Revitalization: Spatial Structure and Issue Analysis.” By examining revitalization case studies and using GIS tools, she explored spatial challenges and clarified her personal passion for community development.
Though she grew up in Kaohsiung, her grandfather’s Penghu roots and her fieldwork in Pingtung drew her closer to both regions. As an “outsider youth,” she hopes to contribute meaningfully to local efforts by applying her grant-writing skills to secure resources for community development.

Local Networks and Local Revitalization — Kai-Xiang

Kai-Xiang, a third-year student in the Department of Radio & Television, first encountered local revitalization through a storytelling competition. He later enrolled in an introductory revitalization course and a class on cultural communication in the Wenshan region.
His experience reshaped his perspective from branding-focused development to recognizing community building as a core of revitalization. Through coursework and competitions, he gained a deeper understanding of Pinglin’s local networks, resource allocation, and community politics. He now uses film and media to continue engaging with local issues and also hopes to apply these skills to his hometown of Yizhu, Chiayi, where population loss is a persistent problem.

Documentary Filmmaking and Local Revitalization — Wei-Xin

Wei-Xin, also a third-year student in Radio & Television, encountered revitalization through a residency program at a local bookstore in Daxi and later took NCCU’s revitalization courses. These experiences shaped her local identity and allowed her to reflect on her relationship with communities and how she might engage with them.
She teamed up with Kai-Xiang for a short film competition on Pinglin’s revitalization efforts. Although born and raised in Taoyuan, the project helped her form a personal bond with Pinglin. She remains open to working with other communities and hopes to continue producing place-based works through her filmmaking expertise.

Conclusion

From chance encounters to new visions of revitalization, students from various departments and backgrounds have connected with local communities through courses and field experiences. By reflecting on their professional skills and passion for community issues, they are redefining their role in local revitalization. Though just starting out, these students are already shaping new possibilities for how the next generation engages with revitalization efforts.