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Due to the shift in the political and economic center and the industrial transformation, Kaohsiung’s development has seen functional changes in the original arrangement of urban space, with the following transient problems beginning to surface – “population aging and increase in the disadvantaged percentage”, “lack of innovative connection for the local economy”, “alienation of the younger generation from the community”, and “lack of a sense of belonging among residents”. These have become the so-called “rust belt” of the city. The core goal of NSYSU’s Type C SPROUT project – “Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Place-making in Kaohsiung Old Port and New Bay Community” is to act as a partner over all these transient fields for seeking development of the city. Participation in the community is done by means of training talents for collective effort in alleviating various challenges now facing the city. The following specific objectives are set down through the PACE (Participatory Action in Community Engagement) approach and under the Cooperative Empowerment and Extension Service (CEES) framework:
(1) Promoting the University’s access to the community for diversified learning and encouraging local startups;
(2) Responding to the voices of the local disadvantaged groups and caring for their needs;
(3) Bring new prosperity to the local economy;
(4) Leading the youth into the community and enhancing their local identification and startup competency;
(5) Encouraging senior high schools to participate in the practice of community innovation;
(6) Promoting local engagement and international connection.
