Glimmer Decade of Gratitude - Feng Chia University Witnesses the Academic Practice of Social Good

On February 8th, Feng Chia University witnessed a grand event filled with gratitude and giving back - "Glimmer Decade of Gratitude". Professor Sheng-Tsung Hou, the founder of the Glimmer Action Association and a faculty member of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Feng Chia University, along with the Glimmer Action team, returned to the Feng Chia campus to express deep gratitude for the university's continuous support for social innovation and corporate sustainability over the past decade. During the event, Professor Hou also gave back to the university by donating 1,000,000 shares of stock on behalf of the social enterprise "Little Donkey" derived from Feng Chia University, which was accepted by President Vey Wang, showcasing the integration of academia and social innovation.

Academic Engagement, Social Care Practice

Professor Sheng-Tsung Hou joined the College of Business at Feng Chia University in 2007 and, with the strong support of the university, promoted the educational philosophy of "University Engagement", integrating academic research with industry and social needs. Feng Chia University not only provided research resources but also offered solid backing for Professor Hou's research in the long-term cultivation of social innovation talents.

In 2012, with the support and encouragement of the late former President Bao-Long Zhang, Professor Hou established the "Center for Service Innovation and Mobility Design" on campus and founded the "Taiwan Taxi Academy Association" in 2014, combining technological innovation with the social enterprise model to bring new thinking to taxi and public transportation services, further developing into today's "Glimmer Action Association", continuously providing solutions for social issues such as long-term care transportation and rural mobility.

In 2018, the social enterprise "Little Donkey", derived from a project by the Ministry of Science and Technology at Feng Chia University, became a successful case of transforming academic research into practical services. With the long-term support of Feng Chia University, Little Donkey has grown and further provided innovative solutions for Taiwan's elderly and rural transportation issues.

Professor Sheng-Tsung Hou shared the journey of how "Little Donkey" transformed from academic research into practical services with the long-term support of Feng Chia University.

Moving Forward Together, Donation Witnesses Gratitude

The "Glimmer Decade of Gratitude" event was not only a review and gratitude but also symbolized the close connection between academia and social practice. Professor Sheng-Tsung Hou emphasized, "Without the support of Feng Chia, Glimmer Action and Little Donkey could not have come this far. The inspiration and support I received here allowed me to combine academia and practice, rooting the concept of social good in society."

To thank his alma mater for its years of support, Professor Hou donated 1,000,000 shares of stock to Feng Chia University on behalf of "Little Donkey", giving back to the university with practical actions and looking forward to creating greater social impact in the future.

President Vey Wang of Feng Chia University stated, "Professor Hou is our best example. His research and actions have not only influenced academia and government policies but also had a profound positive impact on society. Today's donation is not only support for the university but also an innovative investment in the future society. We firmly believe that through the integration of industry-academia cooperation, technological application, and social practice, Feng Chia University will continue to exert its influence and create a society of common good."

Former President Bing-Jean Lee also stated, "The Glimmer Action Association is the best practice case of academic research and social innovation at Feng Chia University. This model not only brings positive impact to Taiwanese society but also demonstrates Feng Chia's commitment to social sustainability. We are honored to support Professor Hou's development and witness his research transitioning from academia to society, creating real impact."

Professor Sheng-Tsung Hou, the founder of the Glimmer Action Association, donated 1,000,000 shares of stock on behalf of the social enterprise "Little Donkey" derived from Feng Chia University, which was accepted by President Vey Wang.

Towards the Future, Innovation and Sustainability

After ten years of effort, the Glimmer Action Association has developed from an academic research project into a diverse action system covering long-term care transportation, mobility technology, social enterprises, and policy advocacy. Looking forward, Professor Sheng-Tsung Hou and Feng Chia University will continue to work together to promote the concept of "Mobility as a Social Service", combining technology, education, and social innovation to bring deeper impact to Taiwan's aging society and rural mobility issues.

"We firmly believe that when academia meets social needs, and when education and innovation go hand in hand, the value of knowledge will no longer be confined to the classroom but can truly change the world," said Professor Hou.

The "Glimmer Decade of Gratitude" event witnessed the perfect integration of academia, innovation, and social practice, opening a new chapter of "Creating Value, Common Good Society" for the next decade.

Over a hundred people participated in the "Glimmer Decade of Gratitude" event, celebrating this decade of moving forward together.