National Chi Nan University's Role in Dark-Sky Governance and Regional Revitalization: A Model of Local Engagement and International Vision

Yung Ping Tseng; You Zih Jiang

doi:10.14710/jsp.2025.29839

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/jsp.2025.29839

National Chi Nan University's Role in Dark-Sky Governance and Regional Revitalization: A Model of Local Engagement and International Vision

*Yung Ping Tseng

- National Chi Nan University, Taiwan

You Zih Jiang - National Chi Nan University, Taiwan

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Abstract

National Chi Nan University (NCNU) integrates local engagement with global perspectives, advancing University Social Responsibility (USR) initiatives to support regional development. A key example is NCNU’s role in Hehuan Mountain Dark-Sky Park, Taiwan’s first internationally certified dark-sky park, promoting sustainable tourism and environmental conservation. Taiwan’s tourism industry struggles to balance economic growth with sustainability. In Qingjing, short-stay tourism strains local resources. NCNU collaborated with governments and astronomy associations to develop dark-sky tourism (DST) as a solution to extend visitor stays while preserving ecology. NCNU helped draft the Hehuan Mountain Dark-Sky Park Management Ordinance, aligning lighting regulations with International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) standards. The university fostered cooperation among government agencies, businesses, and astronomy experts to balance conservation with economic benefits. DST integration into hospitality services encouraged eco-friendly tourism, while star-guiding programs built local expertise. Beyond dark-sky governance, NCNU supports regional revitalization in healthcare, Indigenous tourism, and AI-driven smart agriculture. By training professionals and fostering sustainable industries, NCNU strengthens economic resilience, positioning Hehuan Mountain as a global research hub for light pollution studies.

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In Vol 5, No 3 (2025)

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