MOE University Social Responsibility Projects
Project Overview
Since 2018, the Ministry of Education has officially launched the University Social Responsibility (USR) project. This initiative focuses on "local engagement" and "talent cultivation," guiding universities to adopt a people-centered approach, address local needs, integrate humanistic care and technological advancements, solve regional issues, and fulfill social responsibilities.
Now in its third phase (2023–2024), our university is undertaking two projects: "Grocery Store 2.0: Regional Economy and Social Resource Integration Platform" and "Planning and Implementing Satoyama Economy in Rural Areas." The former focuses on transforming local grocery stores into hubs for goods, information, and creative student ideas. The latter addresses local revitalization challenges by combining institutional frameworks and planning efforts.
During the first phase (2018–2019), our university initiated the "Xinglong-Ankang: Collaborative Prosperity in Wenshan" project. This focused on real-world social issues, local public affairs, and integrating professional knowledge with local culture. By connecting regional resources and social service groups, the project supported education development and regional identity, aiming to cultivate local talents and improve employment, particularly for disadvantaged communities.
In the second phase (2020–2022), we incorporated USR into university governance frameworks, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to promote local sustainability and social innovation. In 2020, two key projects were approved: "Xinglong-Ankang: Collaborative Prosperity in Wenshan" (Deepening University Features) and "Enhancing Arts and Technology Literacy in Rural K-12 Education" (Emerging University Features). The former focused on reducing poverty and inequality while promoting quality education for sustainable communities. The latter concentrated on rural K-12 education, fostering teachers with diverse teaching skills.
