Now in its 25^th year, the Asian Student Exchange Program (ASEP) is often hailed as the “Junior Nobel Prize” for student innovation projects across Asia. This year’s competition drew participants from Taiwan, Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and South Korea, with 87 junior high schools, high schools, vocational schools, and universities competing. Focusing on the theme “Net-Zero Green Living,” top students from different countries teamed up to propose creative and practical solutions for achieving carbon neutrality in daily life. The Department of Global Communications and Applied English at the International College, in collaboration with Ritsumeikan University and Kyoto Women’s University from Japan, as well as the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, delivered an outstanding performance, earning three gold awards. Building on its Platinum and Gold Award success in the 24^th ASEP, ISU once again secured gold in the 25^thASEP, further cementing its reputation on the global academic stage and highlighting the strength of Taiwan’s education worldwide.

The first gold award-winning team featured Alisa Srinaruemon, a Thai international student from the Department of Global Communications and Applied English, alongside Taiwanese students Ssu-Yun Chang and Meng-Lin Chen, as well as participants from Ritsumeikan University. Their winning project, “Net Zero-Make Hero,” examined the role of shared transportation in reducing carbon emissions. The team integrated app design, social media engagement, and an entirely English-language presentation to propose an innovative motorcycle-sharing system, offering a fresh perspective on carbon neutrality and eco-friendly living. Srinaruemon, drawing on expertise from the multimedia-assisted language learning course, utilized AI technology to design the app’s main visual logo, adding an artistic touch that further enhanced the project’s appeal.

Another gold award-winning team was led by AM from Vietnam, who collaborated with four Filipino students on their project, “Smaller Footprints, Bigger Impact: Digital Pathways to Net Zero.” Their initiative highlighted the idea that everyone plays a role in managing their carbon footprint through daily actions. They demonstrated how carbon reduction can be seamlessly integrated into everyday life by designing online workshops and interactive forums. Angela from Honduras, Taiwanese student Yu-Hsien Chen, and students from Kyoto Women’s University earned the third gold award. Their project, “From Waste to Worth: Creating Cultural Bonds,” explored the circular economy’s value by incorporating cultural elements to give discarded materials a new life. The team organized a creative workshop on upcycling old clothing, using patchwork techniques to transform discarded textiles into meaningful creations. Through hands-on activities, participants gained firsthand experience in waste regeneration, deepening their understanding of both environmental sustainability and cultural heritage preservation.

With a diverse student body of nearly 1,500 international students from over 40 countries across five continents, ISU exemplifies a truly global academic community. Actively participating in international exchange programs, the university promotes language proficiency, interdisciplinary collaboration, and university social responsibility (USR). This year’s ASEP competition was guided by faculty members Dr. Grace Fang and Chia-Ling Hsieh, who integrated the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the curriculum. They empowered students to develop professional expertise and a global perspective by embedding net-zero sustainability themes and fostering creativity. This initiative enhanced students’ professional branding and served as a powerful platform to showcase their skills on the international stage.