Universities bring together elite talent from various fields. In addition to advancing research and innovation within their disciplines, they should proactively engage with local socio-economic and industrial development. By transferring knowledge to the broader community, universities can help drive regional prosperity and development, thereby fulfilling their University Social Responsibility (USR).

To encourage universities to “fulfill their social responsibility,” the Ministry of Education launched the University Social Responsibility Practice Program (USR Program) in 2017. This initiative aims to drive universities to implement social responsibility by having faculty lead students in identifying regional issues, formulating solutions, and collaborating with local forces to help resolve them. This process allows university students to fully apply their professional knowledge to participate in and serve the region, enabling residents in various areas to feel the tangible significance of the university’s presence. Through this, universities can drive urban and rural development, promote cultural revitalization, renew community vibrancy, and create local value.

The function of universities isn’t just to research academia and cultivate talent; it’s also to elevate culture, serve society, and promote national development. With approximately 1.23 million students currently enrolled in higher education institutions, they represent a significant source of energy for societal progress. In the process of regional development, universities should play a more critical and vital role as local think tanks. They should invest academic resources to deeply cultivate local areas concerning development issues like local industries, community culture, urban areas, and remote villages. This allows them to leverage university values, foster regional development, and drive value creation. University students should participate in local engagement, contributing more to regional development and demonstrating practical action through their sense of identification with the region’s growth.