To fulfill its commitment to University Social Responsibility (USR) and the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), National Cheng Kung University(NCKU) has deeply integrated environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into its endowment fund investment strategy.
Specific measures include proactively screening investments to avoid industries that impose significant environmental burdens, thereby supporting green and sustainable development and avoiding investments in highly polluting and carbon-intensive industries. Through investments made via its endowment fund, NCKU also actively identifies and supports companies and funds with strong ESG performance and sustainable growth potential, thereby promoting sustainable investment.
From 2022 to 2025, NCKU’s endowment fund investment portfolio grew from approximately NT$650 million to NT$940 million, an increase of 43.4%. During the same period, responsible investments increased from NT$590 million to NT$870 million, representing growth of 48.7% and outpacing the overall growth of the investment portfolio. The proportion of sustainable investments in the endowment fund also rose from 89.9% to 93.3%.
These efforts demonstrate NCKU’s commitment to social and environmental sustainability beyond academic research. Through its financial operations, the University also helps direct capital toward more responsible businesses, reinforcing the role of higher education institutions in driving societal transformation.
- NCKU ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Investment Guidelines for School Funds” Written Report
NCKU demonstrates its commitment to social responsibility through its ESG investment guidelines. Since 2019, the University has gradually implemented a divestment policy targeting high-carbon energy and fossil fuel industries by restricting new direct investments and progressively reducing existing holdings. As a result, exposure to high-carbon industries decreased from 3.95% in 2019 to 1.18% in March 2022. NCKU continues to advance its divestment efforts and align its investment practices with its sustainability goals.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nxkNTDaU4YSVkKF_EA7HJqih2J-vO2Dz/view
- NCKU Directions for Endowment Fund Investment
NCKU Directions for Endowment Fund Investment demonstrate its commitment to responsible financial management. The directions require investment activities to align with the University’s sustainability goals. Article 3, Paragraph 4 specifically incorporates the “University Sustainable Investment Policy” into the principles governing fund allocation, integrating social and environmental responsibility into NCKU’s investment strategy and reinforcing its commitment to divesting from high-risk industries.
https://www.cc.ncku.edu.tw/rule/content.php?sn=569
- NCKU Principles for Responsible Investment
NCKU has advanced responsible investment by ending additional investment in fossil fuel industries in 2019, restricting direct investment in carbon-intensive energy industries in 2020, and gradually increasing sustainable investments. NCKU subsequently established a Sustainable Investment Policy and incorporated it into its university fund investment planning. https://ufo.ncku.edu.tw/var/file/10/1010/img/228009329.pdf
- Summary Table of Responsible Investment Ratios for NCKU’s Endowment Fund, 2022–2025
According to statistics for 2022–2025, NCKU’s endowment fund responsible investment portfolio grew from approximately NT$650 million in 2022 to NT$940 million in 2025, representing an increase of 43.4%. Over the same period, responsible investments increased from NT$590 million to NT$870 million, a growth of 48.7%, outpacing the overall growth of the investment portfolio. The proportion of sustainable investments in the University’s endowment fund also rose from 89.9% to 93.3%.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18ze6ZiyRiaQKSQXtHruwBIpfyClEPbGJ/view?usp=drive_link
- 114th Fiscal Year Financial Planning Report
NCKU’s financial planning report emphasizes sustainable investment by prioritizing ESG principles in investment analysis and decision-making to support long-term environmental and social sustainability.
https://ord.ncku.edu.tw/userfiles/files/20250108003957895.pdf
- NCKU University Endowment Fund 2025 Budget Evaluation Report
NCKU has reviewed its investments in carbon-intensive industries and committed to aligning its university endowment fund with ESG principles. The University is gradually divesting from fossil fuel and high-carbon investments in support of its net-zero carbon goals.
https://www.ly.gov.tw/Pages/List.aspx?nodeid=55691