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SDG 14 : Life Below Water
Life Below Water (SDG 14)14.2 Supporting aquatic ecosystems through education
14.2.1 - Does your university provide educational courses on freshwater ecosystems (e.g., water resource irrigation practices, water management/protection, communication regarding water or natural communities)? National Formosa University provides dedicated educational courses and actively promotes relevant practical activities concerning freshwater ecosystems and water resources issues, demonstrating results with quantified data. Firstly, in the University Social Responsibility practice education courses, the university offers the "Life Cycle of Domestic Water Use" course. This course uses the PBL teaching method, guiding students to recognize domestic water use, assess local water quality issues in Yunlin, and consider water resource protection and local economic sustainability, directly addressing educational needs in water management and protection. In a single semester (Academic Year 113), the course held 5 sessions, organized by 1 faculty member, with 151 students participating, and 5 community partners joining to discuss the local coffee industry, which is highly dependent on water quality. Secondly, under Higher Education Sprout Project Goal 2, the university has a sub-item, "Green and Clean Water Resources," explicitly corresponding to SDG 14 (Life Below Water), aiming to integrate the ISO 46001 Water Resource Efficiency Management System into the curriculum. Through this training, the university successfully cultivated 76 students with the sustainable management capability to optimize water resource use efficiency. As part of the practical component, the project organized 1 off-campus water resource environmental education visit, with 90 total participants (including 3 faculty members, 76 students, 1 assistant, and 10 community partners). The activity included environmental education courses at a sewage treatment plant to cultivate sustainable management talent. Furthermore, in terms of green campus construction, the university plans to install a rainwater storage and reuse system at the HSR Campus, with an initial average rainwater collection volume estimated at approximately 7.67 CMD (cubic meters/day), and a long-term potential of 15.3 CMD. This hardware planning is combined with water-saving equipment and water quality management measures, such as regular cleaning of 85 water towers/reservoirs and testing the water quality of 260 drinking fountains, to maintain water hygiene and promote water resource reuse. These management practices also become practical cases integrated into courses, deepening students' understanding of water resource management/protection practices.
14.2.2 - Does your university provide educational outreach programs/services for local or national communities on the sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism? National Formosa University actively supports the sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems through educational outreach programs and services. We offered 57 courses related to "Life Below Water" (SDG 14), executed 1 relevant project with total funding of NT$1 million, dedicated to enhancing awareness of aquatic environment issues among faculty, students, and the community. For local community education and promotion, the university focuses on the "Community Coexistence Practice Project in Coastal Rural Areas of Yunlin". In the coastal area of Yunlin (e.g., Shuijing Village, Kouhu Township), faculty, students, and residents are organized to participate in beach cleanup actions. In 2024, this project not only promoted marine debris recycling but also transformed the waste into hermit crab craft material kits with local cultural characteristics, using handcraft workshops to conduct ecological conservation education. This initiative combines environmental cleanup with community crafts (with potential for tourism promotion), demonstrating the value of sustainable utilization. Furthermore, to promote the professional management of aquatic ecosystems, in 2024 the university signed the "Taiwan White Dolphin UAV and Campus Collaboration Project", utilizing UAV tracking technology to monitor the habitat paths of the Taiwan white dolphin (a critically endangered species). This project focuses on the application of cutting-edge technology and talent cultivation for ecological conservation, representing an important practice supporting the sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems. Overall, the university deepens local engagement through University Social Responsibility (USR) activities, with total social practice participation reaching 14,249 person-times in 2024, including 6,639 students, ensuring that sustainable education outcomes are widely disseminated to the community. We also integrate water resource management knowledge into curricula, for instance, 74 courses are related to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and we actively promote the introduction of the Water Resource Efficiency Management System (ISO 46001) into courses, conveying sustainable water resource management knowledge to the next generation of professionals.
14.2.3 - Does your university provide educational outreach activities for local or national communities concerning marine plastic, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU), and destructive fishing practices? Regarding educational outreach activities mentioned in SDG 14.2 (Supporting Aquatic Ecosystems through Education), National Formosa University actively implements relevant education and actions through its University Social Responsibility (USR) projects and cross-disciplinary collaborations. A total of 57 courses, 1 project (with total funding of NT$1 million), 1 journal paper, 4 conference papers, and 9 club activities are linked to SDG 14 (Life Below Water). For local community educational outreach activities, the university executes the "Community Coexistence Practice Project in Coastal Rural Areas of Yunlin" USR Hub project. This project successfully received NT$2.75 million in subsidies under the Phase IV USR Sprouting Program. One of its implementation methods is to launch marine sustainability activities. Specifically, the faculty and student team participated with community residents in the Kouhu Beach Cleanup in May, clearing plastic and other marine debris from the beach, which enhanced participants' understanding of marine pollution issues. Furthermore, the project transformed the recovered marine debris into hermit crab-themed crafts, further promoting ecological conservation education and local craft inheritance. The university’s student clubs also actively engage in environmental services, with total participation in environmental service activities (including beach cleanups) reaching 163 person-times in Academic Year 2024. In terms of academic and technical support, the university signed the "Taiwan White Dolphin UAV and Campus Collaboration Project" Sustainability Action MOU, using UAV technology to monitor the habitat paths of the Taiwan white dolphin (a critically endangered species). This aims to implement marine conservation and cultivate technical talent through cutting-edge technology. Although the current report does not directly provide quantified data for dedicated educational outreach activities specifically addressing "Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUU)" or "destructive fishing practices," the university has demonstrated concrete educational and practical outcomes to support the sustainable development of aquatic ecosystems through marine debris cleanup, ecological conservation promotion, and cutting-edge technology applications.
14.3 Supporting aquatic ecosystems through action
14.3.1 - Does your university support/organize activities aimed at promoting the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, lakes, rivers, and reservoirs? National Formosa University actively supports and organizes multiple activities and research aimed at promoting the conservation and sustainable use of aquatic ecosystems (including oceans, rivers, and water resources). At the academic level, the university offered 57 courses related to "Life Below Water" (SDG 14), executed 1 relevant research project with funding of NT$1 million, and published 1 journal paper and 4 conference papers. For marine conservation action, the university collaborates with the Ocean Conservation Administration (OCA), utilizing UAV technology to monitor the habitat paths of the Taiwan white dolphin (a critically endangered species), and signed the "Taiwan White Dolphin UAV and Campus Collaboration Project" Sustainability Action MOU. For the conservation of rivers and riparian ecosystems, the university partnered with the Water Resources Agency to promote the "Huwei Tide: Resilient Town Waterbank Integration Project," aiming to create a riparian environment where people and nature coexist along the Huwei embankment of the Beigang River. In water resource management and efficiency, the university's HSR Campus plans to set up a sewage treatment and reuse system and a rainwater storage and reuse system. According to the plan, the rainwater collection volume is expected to reach an average of about 7.67 CMD (cubic meters/day) in Phases I and II, and potentially 15.3 CMD in the long term. Additionally, 74 courses are related to SDG 6 "Clean Water and Sanitation," and through general education courses like "Life Cycle of Domestic Water Use," students are guided to assess water quality issues in Yunlin and consider water resource protection strategies. At the social participation level, the university's USR Hub project organized a beach cleanup action in May, involving students and community residents, and transforming marine debris into hermit crab-themed crafts, practicing resource reuse and ecological education. In Academic Year 2024, student clubs actively participated in environmental service activities (including beach cleanups), with total participation reaching 163 person-times.
14.3.2 - Does your university have a policy to ensure food from aquatic ecosystems consumed on campus is sustainably sourced? National Formosa University (NFU) actively responds to the SDGs, but the University's 2024 Sustainability Report does not directly disclose an independent policy or quantified procurement ratio to ensure that food from aquatic ecosystems consumed on campus is sustainably sourced. Nevertheless, the university indirectly supports environmental sustainability through education, research, and procurement actions. In education and academic research, 57 courses were related to SDG 14 in Academic Year 2023. One research project related to SDG 14 was executed with total funding of NT$1 million. In practical actions related to aquatic ecosystems, the university collaborates with the Ocean Conservation Administration (OCA), utilizing UAVs to monitor the habitat paths of the Taiwan white dolphin. Student clubs participated in environmental services (e.g., beach cleanup) with 163 person-times in Academic Year 2024. Furthermore, the university has a quantified target for green procurement, achieving a ratio of 96.09% (amounting to NT$29.024685 million) in 2023 (Academic Year 112).
14.3.3 - Does your university directly conduct (or cooperate with industry to conduct) research and/or participate in maintaining and expanding existing aquatic ecosystems, including wetlands, marine biodiversity, coral reefs, and mountainous waters? National Formosa University actively supports the maintenance of aquatic ecosystems through direct involvement in research and cross-disciplinary collaboration, particularly in marine biodiversity and environmental action. The university has signed the "Taiwan White Dolphin UAV and Campus Collaboration Project" Sustainability Action MOU with external partners (e.g., OCA, Matsu's Fish Conservation Union). This project utilizes the developed UAV tracking system to monitor the habitat paths and marine ecology of the Taiwan white dolphin (a critically endangered species), which constitutes a direct action supporting aquatic ecosystems. In terms of quantified output, 1 research project related to SDG 14 (Life Below Water) was executed in Academic Year 2024, with total funding reaching NT$1 million. Academic achievements include 1 journal paper and 4 conference papers. At the education and social practice level, 57 courses related to SDG 14 are offered, along with 9 related activities or clubs. Furthermore, the university's USR Hub project organizes residents to participate in beach cleanups to maintain the coastal environment and transforms recovered marine debris into crafts. In Academic Year 2024, total participation in environmental services (including beach cleanups) by student clubs reached 163 person-times.
14.3.4 - Does your university directly conduct (or cooperate with industry to conduct) research and/or participate in reducing or preventing damage to aquatic ecosystems? National Formosa University actively engages in research and collaboration, taking direct action to support aquatic ecosystems and reduce or prevent damage. In terms of academic output, the university has accumulated quantified results for SDG 14 (Life Below Water): 57 related courses are offered; 1 relevant research project was executed with total funding of NT$1 million; 1 journal paper and 4 conference papers were published; and 9 activities or clubs were organized. In terms of practical action, the university partnered with the Ocean Conservation Administration (OCA), signing the "Taiwan White Dolphin UAV and Campus Collaboration Project" Sustainability Action MOU, using the developed UAV tracking system to monitor the habitat paths and ecology of the Taiwan white dolphin (a critically endangered species). Second, through the USR project "Community Coexistence Practice Project in Coastal Rural Areas of Yunlin," the university organized faculty, students, and community residents to participate in beach cleanup actions, collecting marine debris, and transforming it into hermit crab-themed crafts. Additionally, the university partnered with the Water Resources Agency to promote the "Huwei Tide: Resilient Town Waterbank Integration Project," creating a riparian environment where people and nature coexist along the Huwei embankment of the Beigang River.
14.4 Water sensitive waste disposal
14.4.2 - Does your university have an action plan to reduce plastic waste on campus? National Formosa University (NFU) has a clear action plan to reduce plastic waste on campus, focusing on source reduction, resource recycling, and reuse. The university requires prioritizing the setup of water dispensers or barrel water for meetings, training, and activities organized by the university. It also explicitly suggests not providing cup water or bottled water for meetings lasting less than 2 hours. Furthermore, in 2024, 339 second-hand textbooks were collected and provided to students for free. For plastic waste management in 2024, the recovered volume of waste PET bottles was 282.9 kg, and waste foil packs were 82.3 kg.
14.4.3 - Does your university have a policy to prevent and reduce all forms of water pollution from land-based activities? Policy Creation Year: 2009 Policy Review Year: 2024 National Formosa University (NFU) has policies to prevent and reduce all forms of water pollution from land-based activities, primarily regulated by the "NFU Environmental Protection Policy" (created in 2009) and the "NFU Guidelines for Waste Reduction and Resource Recycling Management" (created in 2013). The Environmental Protection Policy explicitly states that the university must take appropriate measures to prevent pollution arising from daily activities. The Guidelines for Waste Reduction and Resource Recycling Management specifically requires that food waste must be "drained of moisture first to prevent odor and sewage from dripping and polluting the ground" before disposal.
14.5 Maintaining a local ecosystem
14.5.1 - Does your university have a policy to minimize physical, chemical, and biological perturbations to aquatic ecosystems from university operations? National Formosa University (NFU) has established the "NFU Environmental Protection Policy" to minimize physical, chemical, and biological perturbations to aquatic ecosystems. The university strictly enforces waste management under the "Regulations for the Management of Toxic and Concerned Chemical Substances and Hazardous Waste," ensuring proper disposal of hazardous industrial waste generated by laboratories (totaling 7,030.5 kg in 2024). The HSR New Campus is planned to include a sewage treatment and reuse system where treated domestic wastewater meeting the Effluent Standards will be used for campus irrigation, road cleaning, and toilet flushing. The HSR Campus also commits to a total permeable area of 10.34 hectares (60.2% of the total area). In mitigating biological perturbations, the university offered 57 related courses and executed 1 relevant research project in 2024. Specific practices include collaborating with the OCA, utilizing UAV technology to track the habitat paths of the Taiwan white dolphin.
14.5.2 - Does your university monitor the health of aquatic ecosystems? National Formosa University (NFU) actively monitors the health of aquatic ecosystems. For marine ecosystems, the university collaborates with the Ocean Conservation Administration (OCA), using UAV technology to track and monitor the habitat paths and ecological status of the Taiwan white dolphin (a critically endangered species). For local water ecosystem monitoring, the university committed to conducting quarterly periodic surveys of local aquatic animal resources during the construction and operation phases of the HSR Campus. Academically, 57 courses related to SDG 14 (Life Below Water) are offered, 1 project is executed (with total funding of NT$1 million), and 1 journal paper and 4 conference papers were produced. The overall installation rate of water-saving fixtures campus-wide has reached 55.71%. NFU regularly cleans 85 water towers or reservoirs every 2 years, and tests the water quality of 260 drinking fountains every 1.5 years.
14.5.3 - Does your university formulate and support programs and measures that encourage and maintain good water resource management practices? National Formosa University formulates and actively supports programs and measures that encourage and maintain good water resource management practices. In 2024, the university's average daily water consumption per person was 56.07 liters/person-day. The overall installation rate of water-saving fixtures (faucets, toilets, urinals) has reached 55.71%. For water reuse, the new campus plans to construct a sewage treatment and reuse system and a rainwater storage and reuse system (expected long-term collection volume: 15.3 CMD). To ensure water quality and hygiene, the university regularly cleans 85 water towers or reservoirs (every 2 years) and tests the water quality of 260 drinking fountains (every 1.5 years). Academically, the university integrates the ISO 46001 Water Resource Efficiency Management System into the curriculum and arranges student visits to sewage treatment plants for environmental education.
14.5.4 - Does your university cooperate with local communities through partnerships to maintain shared aquatic ecosystems? National Formosa University actively cooperates with local communities through multiple partnerships to maintain aquatic ecosystems. For SDG 14 (Life Below Water), 57 related courses are offered, and 1 relevant project with total funding of NT$1 million is executed in 2024. The university partnered with the Water Resources Agency to promote the "Huwei Tide: Resilient Town Waterbank Integration Project". Furthermore, the university signed the "Taiwan White Dolphin UAV and Campus Collaboration Project" Sustainability Action MOU with the Matsu's Fish Conservation Union. In community engagement, student clubs organized environmental service activities (beach cleanups) in Academic Year 113, with 163 person-times participating.
14.5.5 - Has your university implemented watershed-based conservation programs based on the recovery and diversity of endangered fish species? National Formosa University has implemented watershed-based conservation and sustainable coexistence programs. The university incorporated the "Yunlin Action Think Tank - Sustainable Coexistence in the Huwei River Watershed" into the Higher Education Sprout Project Goal 2, and partnered with the Water Resources Agency to promote the "Huwei Tide: Resilient Town Waterbank Integration Project". The university offered 57 courses related to SDG 14, executing 1 relevant project with total funding of NT$1 million. The HSR Campus conducts quarterly periodic surveys of local aquatic and terrestrial animal resources. The university also collaborates with the OCA, using UAV technology to track the habitat paths of the Taiwan white dolphin (a critically endangered species). In terms of terrestrial ecosystem diversity, the biological species count at Maguang Farm Organic Zone increased from 152 species to 499 species.
