President Tsai from Asia University places great emphasis on the SDGs. Asia university ranks 106th in the world and 2nd in Taiwan in terms of USR.

Eight of the internationally influential academic journal editors from the United States, Britain, China, Sweden, Denmark, the Philippines, India and other nations were invited to learn about the global trends in circular economy at the Asia University on November 15, 2019.

The Institute of Innovation and Circular Economy, Asia University, hosted the 2019 Global Research Leaders Summit in Circular Economy on November 15th at the College of Management (AMC), inviting eight of the internationally influential academic journal editors from the United States, Britain, China, Sweden, Denmark, the Philippines, India and other nations to get together, exchange knowledge, and discuss future trends and issues in circular economy research. Jeffrey J. P. Tsai, the President of Asia University (AU), stated that circular economy has become a booming issue around the world in recent years. With the advancement of information technology, the world is facing a shortage of energy and increasingly realizing the importance of sustainable development for the environment, and therefore proposing the concept of "circular economy". Circular economy tries to strike a right balance between economic development and environmental protection, with the aim to improve resource efficiency. The ultimate goals of circular economy are to achieve “zero environmental pollution and zero resource waste”, and to maximize the value of each resource so that the economy, environment and society can coexist and prosper. Asia University places great emphasis on the "Sustainable Development Goals" (SDGs), and its University Social Responsibility (USR) ranks 106th in the world and 2nd in Taiwan.

The keynote speakers who have been invited to attend the 2019 Global Research Leaders Summit in Circular Economy, are serving as the editors, associate editors or guest editors of the internationally renowned journals that focus on the circular economy issues. These include Resources, Conservation and Recycling (SCI, IF: 7.04), Journal of Cleaner Production (SCI, IF: 6.38), International Journal of Production Economics (SCI, IF: 4.9), Computers and Industrial Engineering, (SCI, IF: 3.528), Industrial Management & Data Systems (SCI, IF: 2.9), International Journal of Logistics Research and Applications (SSCI, IF: 1.8), Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal (ESCI index), Process Integration and Optimization for Sustainability (Scopus). The editors led the audiences to explore the economic opportunities brought about by the circular economy on the spot, which provide strong ideological support and theoretical guidance for the sustainable development of circular economy.

President Tsai (middle) takes a group photo with the renowned experts and scholars during the opening ceremony.

The entire conference was chaired by Dr. Anthony SF Chiu, a Member of the United Nations International Resource Panel. The first forum invited three world's leading international journal editors, namely Prof. Ming K. Lim, Prof. Yasser Dessouky, Prof. Ou Tang to discuss three main areas of sustainable development: climate change, resource ecology and biodiversity impact, and how to adopt a circular business strategy to develop innovative business models from the design, reuse, process and remanufacture perspectives, in order to mitigate the adverse environmental impact and enhance energy resource. This in turn helps to maximize the use of resources, achieve the integration of energy resources, and create sustainable development for the environment and society. Dr. Ming-Lang Tseng, a Chair Professor of the Institute of Innovation and Circular Economy (IICE) at the Asia University, noted that the research direction itself will stimulate one to think about why s/he should conduct a research in the life process and what is the nature of the problem. Apart from reading good research papers, it is important to think and probe into the research problem and define it. The researchers should also determine on the core value of their research, which is helpful in their personal development and journal paper publications. The second forum invited three editors, namely Prof. Hing Kai Chan, Prof. Raymond Tan, and Prof. Kannan Govindan to discuss the impact of circular economy on the SDGs as well as the socially influential activities related to circular economy in the past, present and future. They also measured the impact of circular economy and how it can contribute to the society without adding burden on the environment.

The unique insights provided by the editors have inspired the VIPs, international and local students to share their thoughts and interact through Q&A. This in turn promotes intercultural exchange among young scholars and enhance their innovative mindsets and practices in circular economy. Finally, Prof. Chun-Wei Remen Lin, the Dean of the College of Management, urged the students to free themselves from the conventional thinking in management. As a research student, one must think from the production and consumption perspectives, and how the conducted research can contribute to the society and apply in the daily life. He is expecting new seeds to be sown in the DNA of every student, nurturing them to become responsible Taiwanese in terms of production and consumption. Prof. Lin also expressed his wish to see the Taiwanese students to elevate their competitiveness and professionalism in the sustainable development and become the top-notch researchers and the proponents of circular economy. This will put Taiwan in the global spotlight.

Prof. Anthony, the Honorary Director of IICE, Asia University (first from the right) and Prof. Lin, the Dean of the College of Management, Asia University (second from the right) asked the three editors for their opinion on the sustainable development of the global circular economy.

There are several research students interacting with experts and scholars. One of them is from Indonesia who asked questions related to his research.

The 2019 Global Research Leaders Summit in Circular Economy ended successfully. All the renowned experts and scholars take a group photo with the doctoral students from Asia University to draw a perfect ending. Organizers: Industrial Engineering and Management Program, MOST; Institute of Innovation and Circular Economy, Asia University; College of Management, Asia University; Chinese Institute of Innovation management and development; ISBITM. Co-organizer: Engineering and Technology Promotion Center, MOST, Artificial Intelligence FOR Intelligence Manufacturing Systems Research Center, MOST.