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[CM USR] Industry-Academia Collaboration for Local Prosperity -- Fostering Local Development through Measured Social Impact and Interdisciplinary Collaboration

本次活動共五個系所參與,跨域共學,大家合影留念
本次活動共五個系所參與,跨域共學,大家合影留念
The USR x CSR project team reported on the SROI results of their initiatives.
The USR x CSR project team reported on the SROI results of their initiatives.
[The USR x CSR project] From Chemistry to the Arts: An experiential camp for elementary students in Daliao.
[The USR x CSR project] From Chemistry to the Arts: An experiential camp for elementary students in Daliao.
[The USR x CSR project] Silver Moments: A singing album as part of the Aging Dream Implementation Project.
[The USR x CSR project] Silver Moments: A singing album as part of the Aging Dream Implementation Project.
Student Internship of Institute of Public Affairs Management: Seeing Local Landscapes 2.0
Student Internship of Institute of Public Affairs Management: Seeing Local Landscapes 2.0
[The USR x CSR project] TransAct Technology Kaohsiung Branch: Targeted teaching for disadvantaged children.
[The USR x CSR project] TransAct Technology Kaohsiung Branch: Targeted teaching for disadvantaged children.

Five departments participated in this event, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and capturing a group photo together.

 

When assessing investment returns, traditional metrics prioritize financial ROI. However, today’s governments and enterprises increasingly value Social Return on Investment (SROI), which measures the social impact created per currency unit invested. The National Sun Yat-sen University College of Management’s University Social Responsibility (USR) project, titled “Industry-Academia Collaboration for Local Prosperity: Building a Sustainable Community Platform,” aims to connect the university, government, community, businesses, and nonprofits for meaningful societal contributions. To effectively measure these initiatives, the program introduced SROI evaluations in 2023. This year, in collaboration with the Social Enterprise Development Center, the project launched SROI training courses to provide hands-on experience for faculty and students, enhancing their proficiency in SROI measurement.

The training attracted 20 faculty and student participants across eight project groups, including workshops, surveys, and one-on-one consultations with AP3-certified practitioners. This culminated in an SROI presentation on September 21.

In addition to the presence of Vice Dean Jui-Kun Kuo from the College of Management and Managers Guan-Hao Chen and Yu-Te Lien from The Social Enterprise Development and Research Center, the event welcomed guest evaluators, including Consultant Tzu-Yu Chen from Ernst & Young and Technical Specialist Ting-Yu Kuo from the Ocean Conservation Administration. Their valuable feedback provided insightful guidance to each project group.

Vice Dean Ruisun Kuo of the College of Management delivered the opening remarks at the SROI presentation

▲ Assistant Professor Ya-Yun Cheng from the Post-Baccalaureate Medicine program presented the SROI results

 

The presentation featured participation from the main project office and included subprojects from the Institute of Arts Management and Entrepreneurship, the Post-Baccalaureate Program in Medicine, the Department of Business Management, the IBBA program, and the Institute of Public Affairs Management. This initiative engaged a diverse range of stakeholders, including community members, businesses, schools, artists, and local merchants. Students found the series highly valuable, with Yu-Ling Chang from the Institute of Public Affairs noting, “Alongside group instruction and hands-on training, one-on-one mentoring from industry experts provided valuable insights that deepened learning and strengthened our SROI application skills.”

Following meticulous calculations, all groups recorded SROI values above 1, signaling a positive social impact that surpassed the resources invested. Social Enterprise Development Center Manager Guan-Hao Chen acknowledged these positive outcomes, adding, “SROI assessments aim to understand stakeholder impact and ensure that project goals align with their needs.” Advisor Tzu-Yu Chen from Ernst & Young also highlighted the value of multiple rounds of stakeholder interviews to better align project goals.

Social Enterprise Center Manager Guan-Hao Chen acknowledged the positive outcomes of the assessments but emphasized that “The goal of conducting an SROI assessment is to enable implementers to understand the changes in stakeholder engagement through interviews. This process also helps ensure that project objectives are focused on addressing social issues and meeting the needs of stakeholders.”

Consultant Tzu-Yu Chen further underscored the importance of multi-stage interviews in SROI evaluations, explaining, “Typically, SROI assessments involve two to three rounds of interviews. The initial interviews gauge stakeholder needs, mid-project discussions clarify the required outcomes, and post-project evaluations measure the impact on stakeholders. These various stages of interviews are crucial for effectively aligning project goals with implementation strategies.”

Technical Specialist Ting-Yu Kuo emphasized that when conducting SROI evaluations, it is crucial to pay attention not only to project objectives and the logical coherence of assessment results but also to consider negative indicators and outcomes. This comprehensive approach aids in effectively reviewing project performance. Kuo encouraged faculty and students, stating, “The purpose of SROI evaluation is not merely to produce final data but to inform future management strategies.”

Public Affairs student Wan-Rou Lin reflected on the feedback received during the evaluations, saying, “This course has not only highlighted the rigor and purpose of SROI assessments but has also taught me how to design interviews that address specific issues, enabling a deeper understanding of stakeholder needs.”

Consultant Tzu-Yu Chen from Ernst & Young provided feedback on each team’s presentation

Technical Specialist Ting-Yu Kuo acknowledged the teams’ achievements and reminded everyone that the purpose of SROI assessments is to enhance project management going forward.

 

The presentation concluded successfully, with Vice Dean Jui-Kun Kuo of the College of Management expressing gratitude for the Social Enterprise Center's support over the past six months and for the active participation of various project teams. He emphasized the importance of this SROI presentation for the implementation of the USR project at National Sun Yat-sen University. The event not only showcased the tangible impact of the project’s resources but also highlighted the significant benefits of USR x CSR initiatives. He encouraged faculty members to continue fostering external connections and to develop course projects that benefit local communities, enabling students to apply their knowledge in practical ways. This collaborative effort aims to advance the university's social responsibility and continuously create a positive social impact.

(Provided by the Institute of Public Affairs Management / Edited by College of Management Media Team)

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