Against the backdrop of increasing emphasis on university social responsibility, this project held its second exchange meeting with Professor Shota Tanyano from Japan, focusing on the theme of "University Contributions to Local Communities." The purpose of the meeting was to explore how both Taiwan and Japan can promote sustainable development through the connection between universities and communities, and demonstrate the potential of universities in regional governance and social innovation. Professor Tanyano, with his extensive research and practical experience, shared how Japanese regional universities leverage educational and research resources to combine academic knowledge with practical applications, creating added value for their local areas. He mentioned that many Japanese universities have deepened their understanding of local needs and gradually established a "University-Community Collaboration" framework. This not only enhances students' practical abilities but also promotes the sustainable development of local economies and cultures. Professor Tanyano explained that by jointly formulating strategies to solve community issues, local residents become more actively involved, transitioning from "service recipients" to "co-creators of solutions." This is the core of the bi-directional empowerment between universities and local communities. During the exchange, the project team also shared the year's achievements of the "You and I, Together for Good" project, including deepening topics such as expressive art therapy, mental health support, and educational empowerment. The team particularly focused on how to transfer professional services to the community, enhancing local residents' self-management abilities, reducing reliance on professionals, and realizing the vision of "coexistence and mutual benefit." At the same time, the project team emphasized that collaboration with local organizations, such as the Yonghe Minquan Community Development Association, not only promoted cross-sector cooperation but also successfully showcased the effectiveness of community resource integration. During the discussions, Professor Tanyano proposed feasible directions for Taiwan-Japan cooperation, including academic exchanges and student exchange programs, to deepen cultural understanding and explore local innovation models. He noted that the practice model of this project demonstrated how to balance educational resources with local needs in an urbanized context, serving as a valuable reference for regional universities in Japan practicing university social responsibility in urban areas. Both sides also discussed potential future collaborative research, such as jointly conducting social impact assessments for community sustainable development or exploring community engagement strategies in different cultural contexts. At the conclusion of the meeting, participants unanimously agreed that the practice of university social responsibility is not just a combination of education and social services but also a concrete way to promote global and local connections. Through this Taiwan-Japan exchange, mutual understanding of local contributions was deepened, and it provided more insights into how universities can act as bridges between local communities and the world. In the future, the team looks forward to continuing the exchange with Professor Tanyano and his team, exploring more diverse cooperation models, and creating a more profound impact on society.

Implemented by Center for Teaching and Learning Development
Date: 2024/12/09