In order to promote the circular economy and fulfill the social responsibility, the National Taipei University of Technology Global Research & Industry Alliance, EMBA and EMBA Alumni Association jointly organized the "Post-Pandemic Sustainability New Future Forum - Challenges and Responses to Promoting Circular Economy and Sustainable Development" on July 21.  The Forum invited Director-General Jang-Hwa Leu of the Industrial Development Bureau of MOEA, Chairman Giuseppe Izzo of the European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan (ECCT), Vice President Geoffrey Chou of O'right, Assistant Director of the Center for Green Economy of Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research, Dr. Chun-Hsu Lin, and other valued guests from the industry, government agencies, and academia to deliver speeches.  The sharing of practical experience covered topics such as Taiwan's overall green policies, circular economy business models promoted by European brands, and Taiwan's challenges and responses.

  At present, the focus on the development of circular economy around the world has shifted from the recovery and reuse of waste at the end to take into account the cycles of energy and resources during the design and manufacturing of products and services and the consumption.  Principal Sea-Fue Wang of National Taipei University of Technology pointed out three key issues in his opening speech for the forum: comprehensive policy framework and economic incentives, businesses' determination, and technological innovation. In terms of regulations and policies, the EU announced its European Green Deal at the end of 2019, and the Industrial Development Bureau of MOEA passed the Circular Economy Promotion Plan in 2018.  Both announcements are playing a leading role in encouraging and guiding businesses to shift toward green transformation.

In terms of the practices adopted by businesses, the ECCT has advocated for low-carbon initiatives for many years, and many major brands have launched innovative circular economy business models in Taiwan in recent years to head the creation of green supply chains.  O'right, a local company in Taiwan, has launched zero-carbon emission beauty products with zero environmental impact, which fulfill green requirements covering products, manufacturing, green building, CSR and green certification.  They proved to the more than a hundred industry practitioners in attendance that promoting the circular economy may take lots of effort. Still, it can be a "good for business" to fulfill corporate social responsibility while generating profits.

In terms of technological innovation, the National Taipei University of Technology has obtained fruitful results in green energy generation, storage and conservation, materials, recovery and reuse of waste, green building, circular design and innovative business models.  Government agencies and enterprises at home and abroad are welcomed to collaborate with the school, and the results are closely linked to the 17 SDGs of the United Nations, which help the school to fulfill its university social responsibility.

The Forum attracted much attention both at home and abroad.  The China Productivity Center Foundation (CPC) provided live broadcast in both Chinese and English so that Taiwanese business from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and other places, and the local government agencies, universities, think tanks, and industry practitioners had the opportunity to hear Taiwan's experience in promoting circular economy.  It is expected that it will promote the export of Taiwan's green policy, reinforce international collaboration based on the New Southbound Policy, and create green trade business opportunities.

National Taipei University of Technology invited industry practitioners and teachers in academia to participate in the event together, discuss policies, business models, and technological innovation of the circular economy, and promote talent cultivation and succession from the perspectives of the industry, government agencies, and academia.  The school also provided enterprises with new directions in green transformation in the post-pandemic era, fulfilling its university social responsibility as a technical and vocational school system leader.