Taiwan often faces summer water shortages, especially in the southern regions, prompting government-issued rationing notices to encourage water conservation. As a leading southern higher education institution, NCKU is committed to nurturing academic talent and actively promoting water resource education. The campus features "Conserve Water" slogans near water sources and rainwater harvesting facilities, reinforcing the importance of water resources. The university also offers a range of water resource courses, workshops, camps, and publications to raise awareness of water conservation among students and the public:
- NCKU's Water Resource and Environmental Engineering Laboratory hosts numerous workshops and lectures that are open to individuals of various ages and backgrounds. Through physical visits to rivers and workshops that impart academic knowledge, participants gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for water resources.
- In 2022, the 8th Youth Water Resources Activity Camp was organized, bringing together young people interested in water resource issues. The event featured the Director-General of the Water Resources Agency and various industry professionals who introduced Taiwan's water resources. The youth actively engaged in discussions and proposed innovative perspectives and practical action plans for Taiwan's water resources and water environment.
- Exploring Tainan E-Journal: "Exploring Tainan" is a mandatory course for NCKU freshmen that involves on-site visits and ecological and historical explanations to help students gain practical insights into Tainan. Two routes, "Nanying Water World" and "The Past and Present of Tainan's Inner Sea," involve field surveys of the Wushantou Reservoir and Tainan's Inner Sea. These visits provide an understanding of how the reservoir's builder, Chiang Kai-Shek, addressed the water scarcity issue on the Chianan Plain and the conflicts and coexistence of ecology and aquaculture. The e-journal uses text and images to guide readers in caring about local water resources from a historical and cultural perspective, cultivating an awareness of water resource conservation.
- Open Course "Zen of Water": This course delves into the philosophy of water and Zen principles, with the added benefit of being open to participants from all backgrounds. It is not only accessible to university students but also available to the general public through online platforms, enabling a more in-depth understanding of water resources.