CYUT has received the Silver Award at the 2025 Taiwan Sustainability Action Awards (TSAA), organized by the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy (TAISE). The winning project, titled “Maoli Young Farmers Sustainable Design and Co-prosperity,” highlights CYUT’s long-term dedication to community development and environmental sustainability. Led by Dr. Yann-Long Lee, Chair of the Department of Industrial Design, the project supports young farmers and returning youth in Miaoli County by introducing design thinking, smart technologies, and branding strategies to modernize agriculture and build a collaborative model of shared growth between the university and local communities.

Supported by the Ministry of Education’s University Social Responsibility (USR) Program, the project established an innovative platform that integrates design consulting, technology training, brand development, and marketing support for young farmers. Through on-site visits, hands-on workshops, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, the project helps participants strengthen their design and technological capabilities while improving consumers’ experiences with local products. This approach not only addresses the practical challenges faced by returning youth but also revitalizes rural industries, encouraging more young people to stay, contribute, and invest in the sustainable future of their hometowns.

CYUT Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Dr. Sung-Chi Hsu emphasized that the Silver Award affirms the university’s strong commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. Over the past six years, Dr. Lee’s USR team has collaborated with 11 local businesses, developing innovative solutions such as the award-winning “Smart Ecological IoT System---Design of Green Cancer Prevention and Treatment Machine” and eco-friendly products like lemongrass incense sticks and cypress wood cups made from recycled agricultural waste. The team also launched the “Miaoli Farmer” brand and an online marketplace to boost the visibility of local products. Their stories and achievements have been compiled into a Chinese-language publication that shares successful experiences and inspires more young people to return home and co-create a sustainable future with their communities.