SDGs永續行動網
SDG15
保育陸域生態
Bidding Farewell to an Icon, Welcoming New Life: National University of Kaohsiung Chronicles Sustainability and Life Education through Campus Landscapes
【Text: You-Ching Chen, Environmental Health and Safety Division, Office of General Affairs; Edited by: Public Affairs Section】【Translated with the assistance of Google Gemini】【Promotion of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) series】 On March 28, 2026, the National University of Kaohsiung (NUK) hosted a poignant event titled "Farewell to the Coral Tree, Awaiting New Blessings" as part of its 115th Sustainability Week. The ceremony was held at the Coral Tree Plaza to bid a final farewell to a majestic Erythrina (Coral Tree) that had graced the campus for 26 years, while simultaneously welcoming a young Bischofia (Bishop Wood) sapling that naturally sprouted at the same site. Through rituals, exhibitions, and participatory design, NUK has transformed its campus landscape into a living laboratory for environmental education, demonstrating the integration of spatial governance, life education, and sustainable development.NUK President Chi-Jen Chen remarked that the Coral Tree was transplanted during the university's early founding years and has been an integral part of daily life for faculty and students, witnessing the campus's growth from its inception. "A campus is more than just a collection of buildings and facilities; it is woven from human memories and lived experiences," President Chen stated. He emphasized that when a space carries stories, "sustainability" ceases to be a mere slogan and becomes a tangible action. The coexistence of the old tree’s decline and the new sapling’s emergence provides an opportunity to rethink "replacement" and "continuity." "This is not just an ceremony; we are becoming storytellers of history and guardians of life," he added.Professor Emeritus Shih-Meng Huang, the former Dean of General Affairs, recalled the university's early days of land grading and construction. He noted that the Coral Tree entered the campus through root pruning and transplantation at a time when resources were scarce. However, early soil and environmental limitations posed long-term challenges for the tree's growth. Professor Huang pointed out that the value of campus space lies in its "memorability"—from the shade of trees to stone benches—all forming a narrative experience. He suggested that the management of the old tree should honor its historical significance, ensuring the campus remains a cultural space that "tells a story."Dean of General Affairs Yi-Kai Chen stated that the university has established a robust tree risk assessment and health monitoring mechanism in recent years. This system involves regular grading and management of aging or pest-affected trees to ensure campus safety while maintaining ecological health. The decision regarding the Coral Tree was a necessary one based on long-term professional evaluation. Moving forward, the Coral Tree Plaza will integrate course instruction and design proposals to promote site reuse and environmental education.From Pest Infestation to Ecological SuccessionThe Coral Tree, a landmark since its transplantation in 2000, had been battling the invasive "Erythrina Gall Wasp" since 2005. Despite years of chemical treatment and surgical pruning, the pest proved impossible to eradicate. Combined with structural damage from typhoons, the tree's vitality declined until it was deemed unsuitable for preservation. Consequently, the university decided to remove the tree for safety and holistic ecological management.The event featured a retrospective of the tree’s history, stories shared by founding faculty, and a themed exhibition. Participants were invited to witness the final cutting and removal process to deepen their understanding of urban forest management. Additionally, DIY commemorative items were designed to transform campus memories into portable symbols.As the university bid farewell to the Coral Tree, the naturally sprouted Bishop Wood sapling marked a new beginning. During the "Welcoming" segment, students and faculty wrote messages of hope on blessing cards for the sapling, symbolizing the ecological cycle and the continuity of life. The Sustainability Week theme, "Remembering the Coral, Moving Forward Together," successfully turned natural change into an educational milestone.Furthermore, NUK is launching a photo and story collection campaign titled "The Days with the Coral Tree" to document the collective memory of the campus landscape. In the future, the university will continue to redefine its public spaces through curriculum integration, ensuring that sustainability is reflected not only in environmental maintenance but also in cultural accumulation and daily practice.#SDG4 #SDG11 #SDG15 @OfficeofGeneralAffairs &Event
NUK integrates environmental education into self-directed learning through a game, "NUK Heroes: The Journey of Environmental Protection."
【Translator：Siou-Yao Han】【Promotion of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) series】2023-10-11 The era of self-directed learning has arrived! The National University of Kaohsiung (NUK) has teamed up with the gamified online learning platform PaGamO to announce the launch of an engaging game-based course titled "NUK Heroes: The Journey of Environmental Protection." This course creatively integrates environmental education into digital self-directed learning, inspiring students to actively participate in environment protection.The game will kick off on October 1st and run continuously until December 15th, offering a two-and-a-half-month super-powered adventure. The main focus of the course revolves around self-directed learning, allowing students at NUK to immerse themselves in a fun and meaningful learning experience.The NUK's "Higher Education Sprout Project" team collaborated with PaGamO to develop an engaging game-based course. The game offers diverse content, including five main themes, totaling 103 questions and 42 levels. Players will embark on an exciting adventure of environmental issues, accompanying characters Lai Pihou and Xiaoming as they enter virtual reality.In the game, players are required to collect stones to summon superheroes to change the global environment. Each level is designed to be challenging, requiring players to use their intelligence to solve various environmental issues such as climate change, energy crises, and ecological balance.Furthermore, the game emphasizes the importance of self-directed learning. Players will engage in independent thinking to find solutions to problems while gaining a deeper understanding of environmental protection and sustainable development. This serves to encourage students to comprehend how their actions can impact the future of the planet.The Center for Teaching and Learning Development, in collaboration with the gamified online learning platform PaGamO, integrates this into "The Goal of University Education" courses. The primary focus is on merging education with gamified learning, providing an engaging and varied learning experience. Through the game, students will understand environmental issues, thereby igniting their interest and capacity for solving these problems.NUK students participating in this game will have the chance to win awesome prizes, motivating them to actively engage in this adventure to save the Earth's environment.Let's join "NUK Heroes: The Journey of Environmental Protection" together and become the superheroes who change the world! This amazing course combines self-directed learning with environmental education, providing an engaging and fun learning experience. Join Professor Ke and face the challenges of the global environment together!#SDG4 #SDG7 #SDG13 #SDG15
