Space Utilization: Revitalizing Land Resources at the Sinmin Campus
In terms of campus space utilization, both sides will coordinate and integrate land resources across agencies. In addition to enhancing the utilization of Irrigation Agency-owned land in the Hsialutou Section of NCYU’s Sinmin Campus, the project will create a safe, all-weather sports and green energy demonstration site for faculty members and students.
Technology-Driven Development: Establishing a Smart Irrigation Demonstration Site at the Experimental Farm
In response to the growing trend of smart agriculture, both parties will establish a Smart Irrigation Demonstration Site at the College of Agriculture’s experimental farms in the Bajhang and Duanzhu Sections, covering a total area of approximately 9.03 hectares. The project will adopt a “zoned planning and phased implementation” strategy. During the initial “launch phase,” water-saving irrigation systems and monitoring sensors will be installed in the core demonstration area. This will be followed by the “integration phase,” which will optimize irrigation and drainage systems and introduce automated control technologies and digital management platforms. In the final “resilience phase,” the farm’s capacity to adapt to extreme weather will be strengthened, transforming it into a teaching and demonstration site for farmers nationwide as well as a platform for policy validation.
Sustainable Talent Development: Discovering Chiayi and Net-Zero Green-Collar Certification Programs
This collaboration further extends education to the preservation of irrigation culture by incorporating NCYU’s “Discovering Chiayi” micro-credit course. Students will visit irrigation canals and ponds managed by the Irrigation Agency to gain a stronger understanding and appreciation of cultural heritage assets such as the Chianan Irrigation Waterway. In alignment with national policy, NCYU and the Agency will also promote Net-Zero Green-Collar Talent Development Programs featuring courses on carbon inventories and product carbon footprints. Upon passing the assessment, participating students will receive a Certificate of Completion for the Ministry of Environment’s Net-Zero Green-Collar Talent Development Program, significantly enhancing their competitiveness in the green job market.
Looking Ahead: Cross-Sector Integration for Shared Sustainability
President Han-Chien Lin noted that NCYU is a century-old green university with a rich historical legacy and a strong commitment to sustainability transformation. This collaboration focuses not only on revitalizing state-owned land within the Sinmin Campus, but also on transforming the campus into a practical learning environment. By establishing a smart irrigation demonstration site and promoting net-zero green-collar courses, students will gain hands-on exposure to industry practices during their studies. Through the “Discovering Chiayi” course, students will deepen their appreciation of local land and irrigation culture. The course will also help cultivate interdisciplinary professionals with the expertise needed to address future challenges related to climate change and carbon reduction, thereby fulfilling the university’s commitment to University Social Responsibility (USR).
Director-General Tsai Sheng-Fu stated that the Irrigation Agency is committed to promoting cross-sector integration and sustainable development in agricultural irrigation. The partnership with NCYU represents an outstanding example of combining governmental resources with academic research capabilities. By jointly developing a solar-powered covered sports facility, both sides aim to promote the effective sharing of public resources and maximize land value. Meanwhile, the introduction of smart irrigation systems at the experimental farm will demonstrate policy outcomes and create a model site where farmers across Taiwan can observe technologies, exchange expertise, and advance smart agriculture. Together, the two sides aim to create a new model for sustainable and shared prosperity.
Photo 1: NCYU and the Irrigation Agency formally sign an MOU to promote a smart irrigation demonstration site and sustainable talent development.
Photo 2: Representatives from NCYU and the Irrigation Agency pose for a group photo following the signing ceremony, demonstrating their shared commitment to advancing sustainable development and talent cultivation through academia-government collaboration.