The 2026 CommonWealth University Citizen Awards and University Presidents’ Peer Evaluation Awards for Excellence in Institutional Performance ceremony was held at the Courtyard by Marriott Taipei Downtown on April 15. Ming Chi University of Technology (MCUT) took first place in the private technical and vocational university category, reclaiming the top honor after three years. President Thu-Hua Liu attended the ceremony with the University Social Responsibility (USR) project team to celebrate the university’s outstanding performance in sustainable development and social impact.
Now in its eighth year, the CommonWealth University Citizen Awards is Taiwan’s first comprehensive university ranking to incorporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) indicators. It is widely recognized for its credibility and significance. In addition to university governance, social engagement, environmental sustainability, and peer evaluations of sustainability performance, this year’s assessment introduced the University Impact Project category for the first time, highlighting the tangible outcomes and impact of sustainability initiatives undertaken by participating universities.
A key factor behind MCUT’s success was the outstanding performance of its USR project, “Co-op Design: Moving beyond San Chiao Yung to Foster Community Cultural Intelligence and Global Competence.” One of the few international collaborative projects in the Ministry of Education’s fourth-phase USR program to focus on cultural sustainability, the initiative transforms Sanxia’s traditional indigo-dyeing culture into innovative cultural designs. By integrating arts and cultural initiatives with international exchange, the project promotes the preservation and revitalization of local culture.
The project has also developed strong roots in the Sanxia Old Street commercial district, helping enhance its brand image and overall development capacity. These efforts earned the district the “Distinctive Charm Award” at the 2025 National Outstanding Commercial District Awards.
Through international exchange camps, the project has successfully brought local culture to a global audience and established partnerships with organizations in Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Germany, the United States, and other countries. These initiatives have not only broadened students’ international perspectives but also cultivated talent equipped with intercultural communication skills and global mobility.
President Thu-Hua Liu stated that, although MCUT is a compact institution, it has accumulated substantial academic capacity over the years. In 2025, faculty members published 629 academic papers, 69 percent of which appeared in top-tier journals. While pursuing academic excellence, faculty teams have also actively participated in USR projects and community engagement, demonstrating educators’ responsibility to society and their strong sense of mission.
MCUT further noted that it continues to deepen its diverse partnerships with industry and local communities. By aligning professional expertise with local needs, the university has established a collaborative development model that generates shared benefits. This approach not only strengthens the social impact of teaching and research but also demonstrates the humanistic values of a university that responds to society and cares for its local communities.
Looking ahead, MCUT will continue advancing sustainable development and USR initiatives, strengthening its international connections and local engagement, and cultivating professionals who possess both technical expertise and a strong sense of social responsibility. Through these efforts, the university will steadily progress toward becoming a university of technology distinguished by its lasting impact and commitment to sustainability.
Image (No. 1) Description: Ming Chi University of Technology receives first place in the technical and vocational university category of the 2026 CommonWealth University Citizen Awards. MCUT President Thu-Hua Liu (right) accepts the award alongside Huey-Jen Jenny Su (left), chair of the judging panel and professor emerita at National Cheng Kung University.
Image (No. 2) Description: The Ming Chi University of Technology team attends the joint awards ceremony for the 2026 CommonWealth University Citizen Awards and the University Institutional Performance Peer Evaluation. Pictured from right: MCUT President Thu-Hua Liu; Associate Professor Jau-Rong Chen, principal investigator of the project; Professor Emerita Huey-Jen Jenny Su, chair of the judging panel; and Assistant Professor Rong-Wei Po, co-principal investigator of the project.
