In response to global net-zero transition and sustainable development trends, the Ministry of Economic Affairs launched in 2024 the “iPAS Junior Net-Zero Carbon Planning Manager” professional certification — a key indicator for businesses pursuing net-zero and sustainability. In the same year, Ming Chuan University introduced the Sustainability and Net-Zero Carbon Planning Competency Program for faculty and staff, proactively cultivating internal sustainability talent. To date, MCU has helped 130 faculty and students obtain iPAS certification. The fourth cohort of the program successfully concluded on July 31, with nearly 70 school staff fully participating — injecting critical momentum into campus sustainability efforts.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, by the end of 2024 a total of 4,553 professionals nationwide had obtained the iPAS Net-Zero Carbon Planning Manager certification. Among them, MCU had 225 faculty/staff and students registered, and 130 passed — achieving a pass rate of 57.77%, significantly higher than the national average pass rate of 33.68%. These certified teachers and staff will serve as a strong backbone for MCU’s efforts to achieve a net-zero campus and promote sustainable governance.
The program is fully funded by the Higher Education Sprout Project, and its curriculum is tightly aligned with international standards and practical application. It covers core topics such as greenhouse gas inventory (ISO 14064-1:2018), product carbon footprint (ISO 14067:2018), life cycle assessment (LCA), and also includes analysis of the Climate Change Response Act. Through case studies, group exercises, and hands-on practice, the program aims to enhance participants’ overall carbon management capability and cross-departmental communication skills.
Industry experts were invited to teach the courses, covering global climate policy, energy transition trends, corporate carbon asset management, and sustainability reporting — helping participants build comprehensive carbon reduction strategies and practical operational skills. Participants generally felt that the program not only deepened their understanding of emission sources and management systems, but also enabled practical application in daily teaching and administrative workflows, strengthening green collaboration networks across departments.
At the graduation ceremony on July 31, Director of Sustainability Yang-Cheng Lu emphasized: “Facing the intergenerational challenge of climate change, educators are not only transmitters of knowledge but leaders of action. MCU’s pursuit of a sustainable campus does not stop at slogans — through concrete training and institutional design, we are gradually shaping a resilient, responsible learning environment. We look forward to trained faculty and staff becoming sustainability coaches in their respective units, starting from campus and spreading to society at large.”
Moving forward, Ming Chuan University will continue expanding its sustainable talent development mechanism, combining international trends with local action. The university plans to offer more diversified professional courses and practical exercises to cultivate sustainability leaders with global vision and local implementation capacity — realizing the core goal of “Sustainable MCU.”
Full article: https://www.week.mcu.edu.tw/52583/