SDG13
Cheng Kung Sustainability Gold Award Debuts, Setting New ESG Benchmark
To align with the global emphasis on sustainable development, the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) supported the establishment of the "NCKU Sustainable FinTech Alliance" (hereinafter referred to as the SFTA Alliance) at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) in February 2023. This initiative aims to assist domestic enterprises in promoting dual-track industrial transformation driven by digitalization and low-carbon net-zero goals, thereby enhancing competitiveness in international trade and industrial supply chains. In the third quarter of 2024, the SFTA Alliance launched the first-ever "Cheng Kung Sustainability Gold Award." The list of award recipients was officially announced on March 7, 2025, and the awards ceremony was held on April 19 at the 62x05 International Conference Hall of the College of Management, Kuang-Fu Campus, NCKU. Guests from industry, government, and academia gathered to witness the recognition of companies and institutions that demonstrated outstanding performance across 3 ESG domains — Environment (E), Society (S), and Governance (G). The ceremony also served as a platform for awardees to share best practices in sustainability management, fostering peer learning and establishing a knowledge exchange forum for sustainable development leadership.
Organized by the SFTA Alliance, the "Cheng Kung Sustainability Gold Award" includes 4 categories: the "Gold Award for Environment," the "Gold Award for Social Contribution," the "Gold Award for Governance," and the highest honor, the "Gold Award for NCKU Phoenix Sustainability," which recognizes comprehensive achievement across all three ESG pillars. A panel of 19 experts and scholars from diverse backgrounds conducted holistic assessments based on both publicly available data and documentation submitted by applicants, aiming to identify and honor organizations that exemplify strong sustainability consciousness and practical implementation.
This year, 4 organizations stood out: Cheng Mei Materials Technology Co., Ltd. won the "Gold Award for Governance," while King's Town Bank, Kedge Construction, and the Down Syndrome Foundation R.O.C. received the "Gold Award for Social Contribution." Representatives shared their ESG journeys, showcasing cross-disciplinary efforts such as sustainable finance, net-zero site management, and social welfare advocacy, providing valuable insights for attendees.
The inaugural award recognized enterprises across diverse industries, including finance, construction, and optoelectronics, reflecting a broad representation of ESG implementation. The "Gold Award for Social Contribution" recipients demonstrated strong employee care, community involvement, and inclusive policy execution. The "Gold Award for Governance" winner was lauded for transparent information disclosure and a sound internal governance structure.
Executive Vice President Ching-Chang Lee of NCKU delivered the opening remarks, welcoming guests and expressing gratitude to the organizing team and judging panel. "Sustainability is not a mere trend but a commitment to real actions across ESG. Each Golden Award presented today symbolizes a deep acknowledgment of the recipients’ efforts in carbon reduction, social responsibility, and corporate governance. The conferral of the Cheng Kung Sustainability Gold Award signifies the unwavering commitment of the winning organizations’ leadership to ESG and sustainable development. It reflects their top-down approach to integrating sustainability into management practices and demonstrates their potential resilience and capacity for innovation in the face of multifaceted challenges such as climate change, social justice, and technological transformation. Hosted by the SFTA Alliance, the award aligns with the university’s mission of social responsibility. It aims to recognize outstanding ESG performance and inspire more Taiwanese enterprises and institutions to learn from exemplary models, thereby accelerating the implementation of sustainable strategies across local industries," he said.
Professor Yeu-Shiang Huang, Convener of the SFTA Alliance at NCKU, Dean of the College of Management, and Director of the Fintech Innovation Center, also addressed the audience. He noted that the award was created to inspire enterprises — especially the nation’s many small and medium enterprises — to prioritize and plan their sustainability strategies within limited resources by focusing on governance, social care, and environmental protection. "Through this award, we not only recognize outstanding efforts but also hope to establish models of success that can serve as benchmarks for others, accelerating Taiwan’s sustainable and net-zero industrial transformation," Dean Huang remarked. He also extended thanks to the distinguished guests from industry, government, and academia, as well as faculty and students, who gathered to witness the remarkable ESG sustainability practices of this year’s award-winning organizations across various fields, and the significant milestones they have achieved.
The awards ceremony featured insights from key judges representing the ESG dimensions, including Director Hsiao-Wen Wang of NCKU’s Disaster Prevention Research Center, Vice Dean Hua-Wei Huang of the College of Management, and Professor Meng-Feng Yen of the Department of Accountancy and Graduate Institute of Finance. They praised the winners for their strategic execution and cross-departmental integration. They also provided valuable advice for enterprises considering participation in the second Cheng Kung Sustainability Gold Award. Suggestions included incorporating scenario-based anti-corruption training into employee development programs — using simulations to deepen understanding and improve response mechanisms — as well as enhancing stakeholder communication mechanisms, strengthening social engagement, improving governance risk alert systems, and establishing transparent information disclosure practices. Moreover, representatives from the 4 award-winning organizations were invited to speak at the ceremony, sharing their journeys in implementing sustainability initiatives and how they overcame challenges. Their insights covered various topics: the banking sector’s actions in promoting sustainable finance, the construction industry’s efforts toward net-zero buildings and safety management, and the social welfare sector’s deep-rooted work in caring for disadvantaged groups and addressing social inequity (TIFD). These case studies served as valuable knowledge and inspiration for all attendees.
To further deepen the event’s intellectual impact, 2 keynote talks on sustainability were held. Commissioner Ya-Lun Yen of the Fair Trade Commission presented "The Legal Challenges of ESG." Drawing on her experience in public service, she provided an in-depth analysis of the regulatory compliance challenges and potential risks that Taiwanese industries and regulatory authorities have faced in recent years while implementing ESG practices. She also offered her personal insights on risk management and legal compliance strategies. Director Tsung-Hua Tsai of the Consumer Finance Division at E.SUN Bank concluded the event with a talk titled "Caring for Our Land, Moving Toward a Sustainable Future," highlighting the bank’s green finance initiatives, local revitalization projects, and social impact strategies — encouraging individuals to embrace sustainable finance alongside enterprises.
The SFTA Alliance at NCKU expressed sincere appreciation to the NSTC and NCKU for their guidance and support, which made the first Cheng Kung Sustainability Gold Award a success. Although the "Gold Award for Environment" and the “Gold Award for NCKU Phoenix Sustainability" were not presented this year, the organizers believe that the experience and influence of this inaugural event will inspire greater participation in future editions. The Alliance is committed to continuing the award program, promoting ESG implementation, and empowering Taiwan’s green transition through recognition and peer-driven learning — ultimately helping financial institutions channel positive capital flows toward high-quality ESG enterprises, achieving a win-win ecosystem for sustainable finance.
Organized by the SFTA Alliance, the "Cheng Kung Sustainability Gold Award" includes 4 categories: the "Gold Award for Environment," the "Gold Award for Social Contribution," the "Gold Award for Governance," and the highest honor, the "Gold Award for NCKU Phoenix Sustainability," which recognizes comprehensive achievement across all three ESG pillars. A panel of 19 experts and scholars from diverse backgrounds conducted holistic assessments based on both publicly available data and documentation submitted by applicants, aiming to identify and honor organizations that exemplify strong sustainability consciousness and practical implementation.
This year, 4 organizations stood out: Cheng Mei Materials Technology Co., Ltd. won the "Gold Award for Governance," while King's Town Bank, Kedge Construction, and the Down Syndrome Foundation R.O.C. received the "Gold Award for Social Contribution." Representatives shared their ESG journeys, showcasing cross-disciplinary efforts such as sustainable finance, net-zero site management, and social welfare advocacy, providing valuable insights for attendees.
The inaugural award recognized enterprises across diverse industries, including finance, construction, and optoelectronics, reflecting a broad representation of ESG implementation. The "Gold Award for Social Contribution" recipients demonstrated strong employee care, community involvement, and inclusive policy execution. The "Gold Award for Governance" winner was lauded for transparent information disclosure and a sound internal governance structure.
Executive Vice President Ching-Chang Lee of NCKU delivered the opening remarks, welcoming guests and expressing gratitude to the organizing team and judging panel. "Sustainability is not a mere trend but a commitment to real actions across ESG. Each Golden Award presented today symbolizes a deep acknowledgment of the recipients’ efforts in carbon reduction, social responsibility, and corporate governance. The conferral of the Cheng Kung Sustainability Gold Award signifies the unwavering commitment of the winning organizations’ leadership to ESG and sustainable development. It reflects their top-down approach to integrating sustainability into management practices and demonstrates their potential resilience and capacity for innovation in the face of multifaceted challenges such as climate change, social justice, and technological transformation. Hosted by the SFTA Alliance, the award aligns with the university’s mission of social responsibility. It aims to recognize outstanding ESG performance and inspire more Taiwanese enterprises and institutions to learn from exemplary models, thereby accelerating the implementation of sustainable strategies across local industries," he said.
Professor Yeu-Shiang Huang, Convener of the SFTA Alliance at NCKU, Dean of the College of Management, and Director of the Fintech Innovation Center, also addressed the audience. He noted that the award was created to inspire enterprises — especially the nation’s many small and medium enterprises — to prioritize and plan their sustainability strategies within limited resources by focusing on governance, social care, and environmental protection. "Through this award, we not only recognize outstanding efforts but also hope to establish models of success that can serve as benchmarks for others, accelerating Taiwan’s sustainable and net-zero industrial transformation," Dean Huang remarked. He also extended thanks to the distinguished guests from industry, government, and academia, as well as faculty and students, who gathered to witness the remarkable ESG sustainability practices of this year’s award-winning organizations across various fields, and the significant milestones they have achieved.
The awards ceremony featured insights from key judges representing the ESG dimensions, including Director Hsiao-Wen Wang of NCKU’s Disaster Prevention Research Center, Vice Dean Hua-Wei Huang of the College of Management, and Professor Meng-Feng Yen of the Department of Accountancy and Graduate Institute of Finance. They praised the winners for their strategic execution and cross-departmental integration. They also provided valuable advice for enterprises considering participation in the second Cheng Kung Sustainability Gold Award. Suggestions included incorporating scenario-based anti-corruption training into employee development programs — using simulations to deepen understanding and improve response mechanisms — as well as enhancing stakeholder communication mechanisms, strengthening social engagement, improving governance risk alert systems, and establishing transparent information disclosure practices. Moreover, representatives from the 4 award-winning organizations were invited to speak at the ceremony, sharing their journeys in implementing sustainability initiatives and how they overcame challenges. Their insights covered various topics: the banking sector’s actions in promoting sustainable finance, the construction industry’s efforts toward net-zero buildings and safety management, and the social welfare sector’s deep-rooted work in caring for disadvantaged groups and addressing social inequity (TIFD). These case studies served as valuable knowledge and inspiration for all attendees.
To further deepen the event’s intellectual impact, 2 keynote talks on sustainability were held. Commissioner Ya-Lun Yen of the Fair Trade Commission presented "The Legal Challenges of ESG." Drawing on her experience in public service, she provided an in-depth analysis of the regulatory compliance challenges and potential risks that Taiwanese industries and regulatory authorities have faced in recent years while implementing ESG practices. She also offered her personal insights on risk management and legal compliance strategies. Director Tsung-Hua Tsai of the Consumer Finance Division at E.SUN Bank concluded the event with a talk titled "Caring for Our Land, Moving Toward a Sustainable Future," highlighting the bank’s green finance initiatives, local revitalization projects, and social impact strategies — encouraging individuals to embrace sustainable finance alongside enterprises.
The SFTA Alliance at NCKU expressed sincere appreciation to the NSTC and NCKU for their guidance and support, which made the first Cheng Kung Sustainability Gold Award a success. Although the "Gold Award for Environment" and the “Gold Award for NCKU Phoenix Sustainability" were not presented this year, the organizers believe that the experience and influence of this inaugural event will inspire greater participation in future editions. The Alliance is committed to continuing the award program, promoting ESG implementation, and empowering Taiwan’s green transition through recognition and peer-driven learning — ultimately helping financial institutions channel positive capital flows toward high-quality ESG enterprises, achieving a win-win ecosystem for sustainable finance.
The inaugural "Cheng Kung Sustainability Gold Award" ceremony was held on April 19 at the 62x05 International Conference Hall, College of Management, Kuang-Fu Campus, NCKU
This year, 4 organizations stood out and were honored, including Cheng Mei Materials Technology Co., Ltd., which received the Gold Award for Governance, and King's Town Bank, Kedge Construction, and the Down Syndrome Foundation R.O.C., which were awarded the Gold Award for Social Contribution
Executive Vice President Ching-Chang Lee of NCKU attended the opening ceremony as a guest of honor and remarked in his speech that the "Cheng Kung Sustainability Gold Award" organized by the NCKU Sustainable FinTech Alliance, echoes the university's mission of social responsibility
Professor Yeu-Shiang Huang, Convener of the SFTA Alliance at NCKU, Dean of the College of Management, and Director of the Fintech Innovation Center, delivered a speech encouraging the initiative. He stated that the establishment of the "Cheng Kung Sustainability Gold Award" aims to encourage companies across various industries
Commissioner Ya-Lun Yen of the Fair Trade Commission delivered a keynote speech on "The Legal Challenges of ESG"
Tsung-Hua Tsai, Director of the Consumer Finance Division at E.SUN Bank, shared a keynote presentation titled "Caring for Our Land, Moving Toward a Sustainable Future"
