On January 2, National Chiayi University (NCYU) signed a Teaching and Research Cooperation Plan and an Industry–Academia Cooperation Agreement with the Chiayi Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA), Ministry of Agriculture. The initiative will advance teaching and research on forest management, ecological conservation, and sustainable development. By integrating academic inquiry with real-world field settings, it aims to cultivate future professionals with strong expertise and a deep sense of public responsibility.
In his remarks, NCYU President Han-Chien Lin expressed sincere appreciation to the Chiayi Branch of FANCA for its long-standing support of higher education and academic research, as well as its dedicated stewardship and investment in the sustainable management of Taiwan’s forest resources. The signing marks a deeper partnership between the two institutions and demonstrates joint action by government and academia in responding to climate change and environmental challenges.
Lee Ting-chung, Director of the Chiayi Branch of FANCA, noted that the industry–academia cooperation agreement with NCYU marks a major milestone in advancing the sustainable management of national forests and strengthening government–academia cooperation. By providing representative state-owned forest lands as teaching and research sites, the initiative will deepen research on forest resource management and ecological conservation. It will also help cultivate forest professionals with both hands-on and academic expertise, laying a stronger foundation for future forest governance and nature conservation.
The initiative encompasses key mountain forest areas, including the Alishan and Dapu Working Circles, as well as NCYU’s Shuisheliao Learning, Research, and Education Center, covering approximately 15,600 hectares in total. These experimental forest sites are critical frontlines for forest resource management, ecological conservation, water resource protection, and climate adaptation. Going forward, NCYU and the Chiayi Branch of FANCA will jointly plan and establish teaching and research experimental forest areas. With years of frontline experience in forest governance, the Chiayi Branch has accumulated extensive practical expertise. Its science-based, sustainability-oriented governance philosophy aligns closely with NCYU’s academic development in agriculture and forestry, ecology, environmental studies, and disaster prevention, providing a strong foundation for cooperation.
President Lin noted that teaching, research, and real-world field settings will be tightly integrated through this initiative. Students will be able to step beyond the classroom and into the forest, apply what they learn in practical contexts, strengthen hands-on professional skills, and develop a deeper understanding and a stronger sense of responsibility regarding public issues and sustainable development. It will also support government agencies by providing scientific evidence and innovative solutions in areas such as forest management, nature conservation, ecological monitoring, and climate change adaptation.
In 2025, NCYU received approval from the Ministry of Education to establish the Master’s Program in Chinese and Western Medical Sciences. Through close collaboration with the Chiayi Branch and leveraging NCYU’s research foundation in agricultural sciences and medicinal plant cultivation, the initiative will establish a network of low-, mid-, and high-altitude research sites to support the cultivation and R&D of medicinal plants. By translating academic strengths into tangible contributions to local development and public policy, these efforts will help fulfill the university’s social responsibility.
President Lin emphasized that
joint efforts by higher education institutions and government agencies are
essential to address the challenges posed by climate change and rapid
ecological shifts. With the Chiayi Branch committed to safeguarding national
lands and NCYU dedicated to talent cultivation and social engagement, the two
institutions will move forward hand in hand, creating lasting and meaningful
social value for Taiwan’s forest sustainability, ecological conservation, and
professional talent development.
Photo 1: NCYU and the Chiayi Branch of FANCA
signed a teaching, research, and industry–academia cooperation agreement.
Photo 2: NCYU President Han-Chien Lin and Lee
Ting-chung, Director of the Chiayi Branch of FANCA, posed for a photo following
the signing ceremony.
Photo 3: Faculty members of NCYU and staff of the Chiayi Branch of FANCA posed for a group photo.