Yunlin Smart Agriculture University celebrates graduates, showcases achievements in sustainable innovation

(中央社訊息服務20251112 09:59:30)Yunlin County’s Smart Agriculture University held its 2024 annual graduation ceremony and achievement presentation on June 17. County Magistrate Chang Li-shan (張麗善) turned the tassel of 54 graduates and presented them with certificates of completion. Chang stated that Yunlin is actively pursuing its new agricultural goals of “mobile sustainability, smart upgrading, and international competitiveness.” She expressed her hope that the graduates will apply their knowledge, learn with one another, and work together to achieve sustainable agriculture in Yunlin, leading the nation, and extending their impact globally.

The graduation ceremony and achievement presentation for the Yunlin County Smart Agriculture University was held at the Feng Tay Cultural and Educational Foundation. County Magistrate Chang Li-shan, Huwei Farmers’ Association Secretary-General Tsai Wu-chi (蔡武吉), Feng Tay Cultural and Educational Foundation Chairman Lin Chin-yang (林金陽), Executive Director Chen Wen-ting (陳雯婷), Corporate Synergy Development Center Deputy General Manager Wang Shi-chang (王世昌), Yunlin County Youth Farmers’ Association President Tsai Tsung-wei (蔡宗瑋), County Government Agriculture Director Wei Sheng-de (魏勝德), as well as Smart University lecturers and graduates attended the event.

County Magistrate Chang Li-shan noted that the county government aims to cultivate agricultural talent by providing a platform for returning young farmers to learn agricultural knowledge and advance smart technology. Today, she was pleased to present completion certificates to the 54 students and to recognize 10 outstanding students and three teams. She expressed her hope that through smart technology and talent cultivation, Yunlin’s agricultural future will be positively impacted. The students’ demonstrations of their achievements confirmed the emergence of a new group of outstanding agricultural professionals in Yunlin.

Magistrate Chang stated that agriculture faces challenges ranging from an aging agricultural population and labor shortages to extreme climate change and rapidly changing global markets. In addition to basic agricultural knowledge, essential professional skills are required, including smart agriculture technology, sustainable agriculture, and even brand marketing and market economics concepts. These are all offered in the Smart Agriculture University curriculum. Through the experience passed down by lecturers and senior students, the Smart Agriculture University is not only a platform for technical instruction, but also a key base for practice and inheritance for the new generation of agriculture.

Wei Sheng-de, Director of the County Agriculture Department, stated that agriculture is Yunlin’s core value, and smart agriculture and sustainable development are key to its transformation. Since its opening in 2020, the Yunlin County Smart Agriculture University has trained over 2,000 participants in various training courses, with over 300 participants trained this year. Through a three-stage co-learning program encompassing foundational knowledge, practical projects, and cross-disciplinary observation, the 280-hour program helps participants strengthen their professional knowledge, grasp agricultural trends, and enhance their market competitiveness.

Wei Sheng-de stated that this year, four cross-sector exchange programs and two hands-on workshops were held. Through on-site visits, participants learned about innovative practices in various fields and covered diverse areas such as brand management, food processing, food and agriculture education, sustainable agriculture, and smart farming. Furthermore, a “mentorship system” was implemented, inviting alumni to serve as instructors and arranging for participants to observe their farms, allowing new participants to learn firsthand from the practical experience and successful models of experienced farmers.

This year, 10 outstanding students were selected through a project-based mentoring mechanism to receive in-depth, one-on-one coaching focused on four key areas. These included Chuang Chien-ju from Erlun Township, Wang Hui-chun from Gukeng Township, and Chuang Ching-chun from Dapi Township, who integrated their own agricultural products into food and agriculture education design and developed lesson plans and teaching materials. Liao Hong-liang from Gukeng Township, Chen Li-yun from Lunbei Township, and Hsu Hsiao-hua from Shuilin Township focused on branding and visual optimization to enhance product value. Shen Pei-hsien from Gukeng Township and Liu Yun-tsun from Xiluo Township promoted food processing upgrades and standard testing planning. Li Ming-ching and Tai Chiu-tung from Huwei Township successfully linked practical application with resource injections through consulting resource matchmaking for smart agriculture projects.

The Department of Agriculture stated that the county government will continue to develop systematic smart agriculture education and training programs, focusing on sustainable development, matchmaking and communication, and brand building as core elements to jointly build the future operational strategy for Yunlin’s agricultural industry. The government hopes to see more young and new farmers participate in this initiative, jointly forging a new agricultural vision of “smart agriculture and resource sharing,” enabling Yunlin’s agriculture to continue to lead the nation and reach internationally, ultimately achieving the goal of sustainable agricultural development.