Industry-Academia Collaboration Inspires Innovative Solutions for Digital Inclusion

The “EasyCard for Everyone” Innovation Competition, jointly organized by the International College of Sustainability Innovations (ICSI) at National Taipei University and EasyCard Investment Holding Co., Ltd., concluded successfully with its Final Presentation and Award Ceremony on June 15, 2026.

Over a three-month period, the competition encouraged students to develop innovative solutions that enhance the accessibility and inclusiveness of digital payment services and smart city applications. A total of 21 teams and 78 students participated, including 45 international students from 19 countries and 33 local students. Participants represented a wide range of disciplines, including business, engineering, humanities, public affairs, law, and social sciences, demonstrating the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and international exchange.

Following proposal submissions and preliminary reviews, six outstanding teams advanced to the final round. Their projects addressed real-world challenges in digital payment services through creative, feasible, and socially impactful solutions, showcasing students’ ability to identify problems and develop innovative responses.

In his opening remarks, National Taipei University President Dalton Lin expressed his appreciation for the collaboration between academia and industry and highlighted the importance of providing students with opportunities to apply their knowledge to real-world challenges. Ms. Nadia Chen, Chairperson of EasyCard Investment Holding Co., Ltd., praised the participants’ creativity and noted that their ideas could provide valuable insights for future service innovation.

Mr. Chih-Ying Lin, Chairman of EasyCard Corporation, emphasized that enabling people of different ages, backgrounds, and levels of digital literacy to conveniently access digital services is essential to advancing smart cities and digital inclusion. Dr. Sherry Chan, Dean of ICSI, added that the competition encouraged students to integrate theory and practice in addressing real societal needs, while demonstrating their potential to contribute to digital innovation and sustainable development.

During the final round, teams presented proposals covering user experience enhancement, inclusive design for user groups, and the integration of smart applications. A judging panel composed of experts from academia and industry evaluated the projects based on innovation, feasibility, and social impact, while providing professional feedback to participants.

The organizers noted that the competition not only provided a platform for students to showcase their creativity and practical skills, but also fostered collaboration among participants from diverse cultural backgrounds. Through teamwork and project development, students strengthened their interdisciplinary communication, analytical, and innovation capabilities.

Looking ahead, the International College of Sustainability Innovations will continue to promote industry-academia collaboration and interdisciplinary learning opportunities, cultivating globally minded talents equipped with the knowledge and skills to drive sustainable innovation and address future societal challenges.