【Office of University Social Responsibility】
To welcome new students in the first semester of 2024, the Student Affairs Office held the Freshmen Focus Workshop on September 5. The Office of University Social Responsibility (USR) participated with the theme “Expanding Horizons Through USR for a More Meaningful Campus Life,” introducing its mission and on-campus USR projects. The goal was to inspire freshmen to not only pursue academic knowledge, but also actively engage in social responsibility and self-directed learning.

Following the “NCCU Grand Line” event on September 4, where freshmen explored university life through a themed bus tour, the USR Office continued this concept at the workshop. Using accessible bus routes as a guide, the office introduced nearby USR project sites, encouraging students to venture beyond the classroom, into the community, and develop their own learning journeys through “NCCU’s Grand Line of USR.”

The USR Office was established to implement the Ministry of Education’s University Social Responsibility Program. Its focus includes local engagement, talent cultivation, and international collaboration, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The office encourages students to apply their knowledge and creativity to bridge theory and practice, foster local identity, and strengthen global connections—promoting the university’s role as an active agent of social change.

USR emphasizes not only academic knowledge but also hands-on field learning. To highlight this, the workshop opened with a honey tasting session, where students sampled four types of honey and learned how their unique flavors reflect different nectar sources and local environments. This sensory experience challenged assumptions about honey’s uniform taste and symbolized the importance of open-minded exploration and engaging with diverse cultural values.

One sample—sweet with a hint of tartness—came from the Formosan sweet viburnum (sakaki) in Pingxi, a tree historically associated with Shinto practices. Introduced during the Japanese colonial era by settlers in the mining industry, it later became a unique forest product. The honey’s floral notes left a strong impression, revealing lesser-known aspects of Pingxi beyond sky lanterns and railways.

Another honey, mildly bitter and ginseng-like in flavor, was sourced from the Schefflera tree, found around Maokong and Yinhedong near NCCU. As one of Taiwan’s rare winter-blooming nectar plants, it is valued locally for its health benefits and contributes to the area’s unique biodiversity alongside tea and bamboo shoots.

Bees serve as environmental indicators, and honey reflects local ecological characteristics. Of the four honeys presented—Formosan sweet viburnum, Schefflera, lychee, and longan—two came from the Greater Wenshan area near campus. These honeys, with their rich backstories and ecological value, represent key USR practice sites. Through this tasting, students were introduced to the core of SDG-oriented social responsibility—starting with everyday experiences. Following the tasting, USR project assistants introduced their programs and invited students to participate in related courses.

In addition to formal USR courses, NCCU’s General Education Center offers an “Independent Study Program,” allowing students to propose self-designed projects related to social responsibility. Proposals may be submitted in March and October each year under two formats: course-based or certification-based. Once approved, these projects not only support personal growth but may also count toward general education graduation credits.