Efforts and Achievements of National Taiwan University in Biodiversity Conservation
Prof. Hsiao-Wei Yuan, Vice President for International Affairs, National Taiwan University
The United Nations has announced the "2030 Sustainable Development Goals" (SDGs), with two crucial objectives being the conservation of terrestrial and marine ecosystems and sustainable resource use to ensure biodiversity conservation and prevent environmental degradation. Taiwan, with its geographical location spanning subtropical and tropical zones, and ranging from sea level to 4000 meters high mountains, encompasses rich and diverse ecosystems and species habitats, making it a global biodiversity hotspot. National Taiwan University (NTU) established the Biodiversity Research Center in 2001 to promote integrated research on biodiversity and cultivate talent.
In the research and educational promotion of biodiversity conservation, NTU has established the "Biodiversity Credit Program," integrating relevant courses from various colleges to engage interdisciplinary research and practice-led talent. The International College Biodiversity Master's Program is taught entirely in English, combining diverse curriculum design, field internships, and conservation project plans to provide comprehensive training for both international and local students, aligning with international standards. Additionally, the College of Life Science and the College of Bioresources and Agriculture have planned international field courses and Taiwan Biodiversity, Agriculture, and Culture summer camps, collaborating with international university partners, aiming to empower students to contribute to biodiversity conservation through execution, education, and promotion efforts.
Furthermore, to understand campus ecological resources and ensure sustainable development, NTU regularly conducts "Biodiversity Surveys," undertaking surveys on campus flora and fauna and promoting citizen science education. In addition to establishing a basic database, efforts are made to strengthen comparative analysis of ecological resource changes, serving not only as references and conservation bases for future campus planning and development case reviews but also making biodiversity information available to raise public awareness.