Sustainability and happiness
NCNU’s path to sustainability begins with the dual pursuits of energy saving and energy generation.
Everywhere on campus—from car parks and sports fields to rooftops—we see solar panels shimmering in the sunlight. Wuu Dong-sing, president of NCNU, who specializes in optoelectronics, tells us that thanks to its special location, his university is able to derive greater value in the form of surplus energy than installations elsewhere, and over longer periods.
“I manage sustainability like a business.” Wuu, who previously served as an independent director for a listed company, points out that sustainability is not just about the beauty of nature: it holds economic value.
“To put it in a more idealistic way, we want to enhance the happiness of our teachers and students,” Wuu says. The solar panels have helped reduce energy bills, and the money saved is used to upgrade to energy-saving equipment such as inverter-drive air conditioners and low-energy lighting.

Solar panels are installed on the rooftops of NCNU’s student dormitories. (courtesy of NCNU)

Wuu Dong-sing, president of NCNU, believes that sustainability, far from being just about natural beauty, offers economic value.