Engage, Energize, Empower: How the Hult Prize Builds a Bridge at NCKU
- atelierfuture 未來智慧工場
- Jan 26
- 8 min read
Text and Pictures by Hult Prize at NCKU
The Hult Prize at NCKU is not just a competition, but a complete growth journey. From understanding global issues, building the capacity to take action, to finally stepping onto a real-world stage to be tested. The 2025-2026 Hult Prize at NCKU guided by the theme “Energize, Engage, Empower,” connected a series of trainings, promotions, workshops, and the Grand Final, gradually leading students from curiosity to hands-on action and real responsibility.
Looking back on the entire 2025-2026 Hult Prize at NCKU journey, it was by no means an easy path. For most members, the greatest real-world challenge came from balancing academic responsibilities with event commitments. Team members came from different departments and levels, ranging from undergraduate to graduate programs, each carrying different course loads, exam schedules, and research demands. As a result, most preparation work could only be carried out during limited spare time. With such tight schedules, every meeting and every event execution had to be completed under highly compressed timelines.
In addition to time pressure, funding shortages were also a major challenge. From event materials and speaker arrangements to the Grand Final itself, almost every part of the process involved real expenses. Facing budget constraints, departments had to constantly coordinate internally on budget allocation while simultaneously communicating with external partners and sponsors to secure resources. This process not only tested administrative capacity, but also made members deeply realize that social innovation is not only about promoting ideals. It also requires practical resource integration and effective communication.
However, it was precisely under this pressure that the team gradually formed a stable rhythm of collaboration. Secretary Isa (senior, Department of Economics) described the experience as follows: “The team members were like threads and needles, weaving together people and ideas from different fields, allowing me to see the tremendous energy that interdisciplinary collaboration can generate. Without realizing it, we wove a huge network together. This was not just a competition, but a growth journey that cultivated leadership, empathy, and hands-on abilities.”
Different Starting Points, Shared Momentum Forward
The organizing team of the Hult Prize at NCKU itself was a highly diverse group. Members came from different countries, and their academic backgrounds spanned the College of Management, College of Social Sciences, College of Engineering, College of Planning and Design, and more. Differences in language, culture, and ways of thinking made communication itself a skill that had to be learned.
Academic Director Minnie Yu (fifth-year student, Department of Industrial Design) recalled: “It was a rare opportunity to work with people from different backgrounds and cultures. Although there were inevitably some small frictions during the preparation process, it was exactly through these moments that I learned how to express myself and integrate everyone’s ideas, ultimately completing this year’s competition organization.”
Marketing team member Cody (second-year master’s student, Institute of International Business) also pointed out: “The greatest challenge was not the language itself, but how to communicate effectively when opinions differed, and how to put in the effort to find common ground through open and patient discussion.” These experiences gradually helped the team realize that diversity is not an obstacle, but a source of creativity and problem-solving energy.
Growing Around the Theme: Energize, Engage, Empower
The core theme of the 2025-2026 cycle was Energize, Engage, Empower. This was not merely a slogan, but a direction that was continuously practiced throughout the preparation and execution process.
Campus Director Eugene (second-year master’s student, Institute of International Management) described the journey this way: “The members functioned as one integrated system, with everyone playing their role and continuously pushing things forward. The team kept improving event operations, challenged themselves with a positive attitude, and raised their standards day by day. Seeing all of this gradually come together made me deeply realize that when everyone moves forward together, leadership, hard work, and impact grow simultaneously.”
In terms of event design, from campus promotion and information sessions to three themed workshops and the Grand Final, the team consistently used interactive activities, hands-on tasks, and exchange opportunities to encourage participants to engage with social issues (Engage), while also providing real skills and platforms that enabled students to turn ideas into action (Empower). Meanwhile, the organizing team itself was repeatedly re-energized through each event, continuously refining processes and improving execution quality (Energize).
Cultivating Leadership and Teamwork Through Practice
At the execution level, members were not simply completing tasks, but constantly learning how to take responsibility, coordinate with others, and support the team.
Event Planner Kassandra (senior year, Department of Mechanical Engineering) shared: “At the beginning, I actually had very limited exposure to business concepts, but this experience pushed me to step beyond my original academic background and keep learning new things. Through planning and executing events, I learned how to turn big ideas into well-executed experiences.”
Another Event Planner Yuki (second-year master’s student, Institute of International Business) emphasized multitasking and collaboration: “I not only learned how to design and execute events, but also how to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds and complete tasks while juggling many other responsibilities.”
Logistics & IT member Jayvis (junior year, Department of Industrial Engineering and Management) also recognized the importance of backend systems: “Impactful ideas depend on strong execution behind the scenes. Good coordination, reliable technical support, and timely problem-solving enable meaningful dialogue between teams, judges, and partners.”
Treasurer Annabel (sophomore, Department of Accounting) reflected from a management perspective: “Impactful innovation is not only driven by ideas on stage, but also by careful planning and responsibility behind the scenes. Managing budgets and reimbursement processes taught me accuracy, transparency, and accountability under real deadlines.”
These experiences helped members gradually understand that leadership is not just a title, but the willingness to step in, communicate, and take responsibility when it matters most. Under repeated high-intensity events and decision-making pressure, the team shifted from “each person handling their own tasks” to truly “supporting one another as a team.”
Vice Campus Director Bryant (sophomore, Department of Energy Engineering) also reflected: “During my time in the Hult Prize at NCKU, I learned how to coordinate between ideals and reality, integrate team expertise, communicate effectively, and maintain flexibility and empathy under pressure, so that all activities and competitions could truly be implemented.” Such learning did not only take place on stage, but also in every meeting, every last-minute adjustment, and every moment of coordination among teammates.
Moving Forward: From Campus to a Larger Stage
For the team, this Hult Prize cycle was not an ending, but the beginning of more possibilities. Public Relations and Sponsorship member Natashya (junior, Department of Psychology) believed that: “Change can only happen through connection and cooperation. I believe every person has a specific role to play, and when we work together, we can achieve lasting results.”
Marketing & Creative Production member Juniorita (junior, Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry Sciences) also spoke about her shift in perspective: “This journey broadened my view of the world and inspired me to encourage others to create a positive impact for the world.”
During the implementation process, the team gradually realized that the expansion of impact does not come solely from event design itself, but more importantly from building long-term and stable partnerships with external collaborators.
As shared by Chen Mei-Ching (Ayu), a member of the Public Relations and Sponsorships team:
“Sustainability is not merely about producing long-term products or services, but also about maintaining relationships with external partners. Sustainability cannot be achieved alone. In addition, trust is the most valuable asset for sustainability, and effective communication is the key to building strong relationships.”
This shared realization has further clarified the team’s understanding of the Hult Prize’s role. We are not merely event organizers, but a bridge connecting the campus, industry, and social resources. Moving forward, the team will continue to strengthen cross-university collaboration and engage more partners, allowing students to access real-world social innovation practices directly on campus and gradually developing the Hult Prize into a stable and sustainable learning platform.
A Shared Journey of Growth
Looking back on the entire journey, the Hult Prize at NCKU left not only tangible event outcomes, but also deep interpersonal connections and shared memories. Members learned to cooperate under pressure, respect differences, and grow through mistakes.
As Marketing member Angeline (senior, Department of Urban Planning) said:
“The pace of the events was very fast and challenging, but it taught me how to work under pressure and communicate ideas clearly through visuals. I also really enjoyed seeing different teams collaborate toward the same goal.”
For many, this experience was not just a line on a résumé, but a shared memory of friendship, trust, and growth. Within the cycle of Energize, Engage, and Empower, the team did not just complete a Hult Prize season, but also completed a deep learning process about themselves and about one another.
