SU Partners with TAISE to Strengthen Sustainability Competitiveness through ESG Leadership Workshop

To further advance its sustainability efforts and keep pace with global ESG trends in higher education, Soochow University held the ESG Foresight and Innovation Workshop for senior university leaders on July 13, 2026. The Soochow University Board of Trustees invited Ambassador Dr. Eugene Chien, Chairman of the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy (TAISE), to lead a team of experts in sharing their insights at the workshop. 

In his opening remarks, the University’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees John S. C. Tang noted, “In recent years, ESG has become an important trend in higher education worldwide. It has also become an important focus for universities seeking to improve governance, fulfill their social responsibilities, and strengthen their sustainability competitiveness.” Chair Tang emphasized that Soochow University has long upheld its educational philosophy of “Unto a Full Grown Man.” In the face of environmental change, technological innovation, and the transformation of higher education, the University must rethink its governance model with an eye to the future and fully integrate sustainability into teaching, research, administration, and social service. 

Soochow University President Chyan-Long Jan noted that SU has built a strong foundation in sustainability governance and social responsibility in recent years. Since 2021, SU has published an annual sustainability report and has received the Taiwan University Sustainability Award (TUSA) for several consecutive years. In addition, SU’s University Social Responsibility (USR) projects have been recognized with Taiwan Sustainability Action Awards (TSAA), including “Soochow Ultramarathon: Net Zero Carbon Emissions, The Eye of Nature: Environmental Sustainability Action, and Cultural Sustainability: the Conception of Shilinology. President Jan also stated,  “This workshop marks an important milestone in Soochow University’s journey toward comprehensive sustainability governance. Through our strategic partnership with TAISE, we will bring together the University’s strengths in teaching, research, and social service. Through cross-departmental brainstorming and hands-on group work, university leaders will develop the Soochow University ESG Blueprint, guiding the University toward a campus where sustainability is deeply and broadly integrated.” 

Ambassador Dr. Eugene Chien said in his remarks that he and Chairman Tang have known each other for more than 40 years. He recalled that Chair Tang recently sought his advice on sustainability, which quickly led to collaboration between SU and TAISE. In May, President Jan led a Soochow University delegation to TAISE for further discussions. Ambassador Chien praised the Soochow team for how quickly it turned ideas into action. He emphasized, “Universities are key drivers of sustainable development in society. TAISE is pleased to have designed this workshop for Soochow University, with topics ranging from global trends and university governance to ESG disclosure practices. Through discussions, we will work with Soochow University leaders to develop an ESG Strategic Action Map and chart a new course toward a sustainable university that creates both social impact and sustainable value.” 

Under the theme Building Stronger Sustainability Governance: From Ideas to Action in Higher Education ESG, the workshop featured a full day of discussions and hands-on activities. The morning session focused on ESG trends and university practices, with TAISE Senior Advisor Ku Young and Secretary-General Tsai-Chi Kuo sharing global ESG trends and the responsibility transformation of higher education, university governance and ESG strategies, and ESG disclosure and sustainability communications. 

In the afternoon, Yung-Shuen Shen, Secretary-General of the Awards Committee of the TAISE, led a session on university ESG best practices and action mapping. Participants engaged in group discussions on key topics including campus decarbonization and the transition to green energy, social responsibility and local engagement, and governance transparency and stakeholder engagement. Together, they explored concrete strategies and proposals for advancing ESG initiatives at Soochow University.