In response to the rising global emphasis on sustainability, Ming Chi University of Technology proudly hosted the "Freshman Intensive Design Thinking Course" from March 14 to 16, 2025. This compulsory program, which brought together over 1,000 first-year students, is the most significant cross-disciplinary design thinking course among Taiwan's higher education institutions.

The course was a collaborative effort, uniting faculty from Engineering, Environment and Resources, Management, and Design. It also marked an exciting partnership with Chang Gung University's Department of Industrial Design, reflecting our commitment to inter-university collaboration and innovation.

Guided by 42 faculty members and 50 teaching assistants, 1,021 students were organized into 120 teams. Under the theme "Taiwan's Environmental Sustainability: Turning Trash into Gold," students engaged in the complete design thinking process, from problem definition and user research to ideation and prototype development. The program emphasized hands-on learning, teamwork, and creative problem-solving.

The course opened with a keynote speech delivered by President Professor Thu-Hua Liu, who highlighted the importance of design thinking in cultivating cross-disciplinary communication and innovative mindsets. We were also honored to welcome Kenny Hsu, Chairman of Uwin Nanotech, who shared inspiring, real- world examples of integrating design thinking and the SDGs into business practice.

The event concluded with a project showcase on March 16, where 120 student teams presented their innovative solutions to a distinguished panel of judges, including Vice President Yen-Yu Kang of National Kaohsiung Normal University and managers from Nanya Technology, along with esteemed guests from academia, industry, and government. Many teams stood out for their creative and practical approaches to sustainability, demonstrating the remarkable potential of Ming Chi students.

Ming Chi University of Technology will continue to champion design thinking and sustainability in our curriculum. By fostering interdisciplinary learning and industry collaboration, we are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of innovators and leaders who will drive sustainable development and industrial transformation for Taiwan and beyond.

中文：「設計思考 × 永續行動」 -明志科大打造全台規模最大的大一跨域課程
This article is simultaneously published in the 28th edition of the SDGs E-paper.