Lunghwa University of Science and Technology (LUH) was awarded the Outstanding Program Award in the “Wellbeing and Coexistence” category at the 6th Global Views Monthly’s USR University Social Responsibility Awards ceremonies on April 8, 2025. The university demonstrated deep engagement in local development, care for vulnerable groups, and cross-disciplinary collaboration through the award-winning project, “Adaptive Technology and Agri-Education for Special Education Students with Autism – Longtan Kanner Village,” which established a model for university social responsibility (USR) in Taiwan.

Award-Winning Project: Agri-Education and Adaptive Technology at Longtan Kenner Village
Dr. Lu Liang-Chun, Director of the Lunghwa University Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development Center, elucidated that the award-winning USR start-up initiative integrates three critical educational areas: life education, agricultural and food education, and VR/AR technology education. The initiative is intended to provide care for marginalized groups in the local community, particularly those with autism, and is founded on the academic strengths of various departments.

Students participated in social engagement activities in the Kanner Village in the Longtan district under the guidance of faculty members. Students utilized their professional abilities to create VR/AR digital content and board games. LHU also collaborated with the Taoyuan City Xuanyi New Knowledge Juridical Association and the Xinbei City Wish Tree Care Association to coordinate experience-based courses and events. These initiatives facilitated students’ comprehension of the practical implementation of USR programs and their exploration of sustainable and self-operating welfare village models. Students could expand the project’s social impact by incorporating external resources and improving their professional competencies.

Phase IV: Enhancing the Impact of Education Through Multidimensionality
The initiative has been granted funding for a Phase IV extension, which will significantly enhance its social impact and expand the number of engagement venues. The most recent phase emphasizes providing a comprehensive curriculum integrating technology, ecological education, and agri-food learning to assist special education students with autism. The planned initiatives include collaborative educational seminars integrating departmental expertise with AR digital clay doll painting, field art for environmental awareness, and agricultural food experiences. Additionally, these endeavors advocate for adopting low-carbon and zero-waste lifestyles to assist autistic individuals in attaining social integration, independence, and enhanced wellbeing.

Ten Active USR Projects at LHU Address a Diverse Array of Social Needs
LHU conducts 10 USR initiatives at active community engagement sites throughout Taoyuan, including four competitive start-up projects and six pilot projects. The focal areas encompass public health history, firefly conservation, marine ecology, special education for autistic individuals, terrestrial ecology, Indigenous culture, and cerebral palsy support. Faculty-student teams collaborate with communities in these diverse disciplines to identify local challenges and promote long-term sustainability and resilience.