The Rural Up Program 2025, organized by the Agency of Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation of the Ministry of Agriculture, has announced its winners. This summer, 20 teams with 152 students immersed themselves in rural communities across 19 counties, presenting their creative achievements at the final showcase.

The team from CYUT’s Departments of Visual Communication Design and Industrial Design received the Bronze Award, Best Static Display Award, and Best Collaboration Award. Another team from the Department of Visual Communication Design was honored with the SDGs Sustainability Award. Individual honors went to Visual Communication Design students Qiao-Rong Huang (Talent Development Award) and Xiang-Wei Wang (Transformation Award). In addition, Dr. Yann-Long Lee, Chair of Industrial Design, was recognized as Best Mentor, and Dr. Tang-Szu Liu of Visual Communication Design received the Best Companion Award.

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, in her remarks, praised the students for bringing professional expertise into rural areas, adding value to agriculture and creating new momentum for local development. Deputy Minister of Agriculture Huang Chao-chin added that the program is more than a competition; it is a dream-building journey that positions students as ambassadors for rural revitalization.

The Bronze award-winning team worked in Miaoli County’s Pinglin Community, launching an initiative that combined sustainability, art, and culinary creativity. Their projects included upcycling pear packaging into handmade paper and developing five innovative dishes featuring local pears. Meanwhile, the SDGs Sustainability Award-winning team collaborated with Nantou County’s Zhu Zai Shan Community on cultural and ecological initiatives such as film screenings, water bamboo cuisine, mural tours, and hands-on workshops, showcasing the warmth and vision of local co-creation.

CYUT emphasized that the Rural Up Program integrates themes such as industrial innovation, digital technology, spatial revitalization, food and agriculture education, green care, and brand marketing. The university continues to encourage students to connect professional learning with community action, fulfilling its commitment to social responsibility while inspiring the next generation to contribute to sustainable rural development.