Sustainable development requires gaining knowledge and engineering relevant technology and integrating these advancements across various disciplines. To cultivate professionals with a holistic approach, NTU established the International Degree Program in Climate Change and Sustainable Development (IPCS) within the College of Science in 2016. Bridging sciences and humanities, IPCS offers a curriculum imbued with “living lab” features, sparking exploration and encouraging students to think beyond specialized perspectives. IPCS empowers students to address real-world issues by merging textbook knowledge with practical fieldwork.
Drawing from the experience of the Climate Change and Sustainable Development Course Group (initiated by the Ministry of Education), IPCS introduced a mandatory practical-learning course. This innovative curriculum centers around the tea plantations of Pinglin District, New Taipei City, serving as a designated area for hands-on learning, accumulating significant achievements. In 2020, IPCS relocated its practical-learning activities to the Taipei metropolitan area, enhancing student learning environments with micro-sensors that monitor carbon dioxide concentration in large classrooms. The gathered data help guide ventilation considerations and class size limits. The program also installed outdoor micro-sensors that record environmental data such as wind, temperature, humidity, sound volume, and PM 2.5 concentration. IPCS went on to collaborate with neighboring communities to establish a network of micro-sensors, displaying real-time environmental data and opening up a dialogue with local residents on environmental science by addressing issues related to environmental comfort and urban heat islands.
On an international scale, IPCS became the first educational unit outside the United States to collaborate with the University of California on its course “Bending the Curve” in 2018. This class is integrated into the core curriculum of IPCS and is also offered in general education courses. In 2019, IPCS joined the Global Association of Masters in Development Practice (MDP), led by the Earth Institute of Columbia University. This association is a core organization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, consisting of over 30 top universities and research centers from six continents. It facilitates internship opportunities for Master’s students of member universities. Currently, IPCS stands as the sole Taiwanese member within this organization.
IPCS remains steadfast in its commitment to equipping students with a profound understanding of climate change and sustainable human development. Armed with interdisciplinary knowledge spanning the sciences and humanities, these students are poised to tackle intricate and diverse issues head-on, honing their ability to solve complex problems. The ultimate goal is to nurture a new generation of cross-disciplinary professionals adept at addressing the pressing challenges of climate change and sustainable development.
A Documentary on Course Corriculum Development: Workshop on Climate Change
IPCS Graduating Class of 2023
IPCS faculty and student team installing sensors on campus