20250825
Funded by the Fwusow Social Welfare Foundation, the “Fwusow Bridge” at the Xitou Nature Education Area of the NTU Experimental Forest was officially inaugurated on August 22, 2025.

The bridge was constructed in response to safety concerns at the entrance trail to University Pond and the lack of a crossing at Elementary Pond, where elevation differences between both ends of the lake trail affected visitor safety and accessibility. In a joint effort, faculty and students from NTU’s Department of Civil Engineering collaborated with the NTU Experimental Forest to design and analyze the bridge structure—integrating classroom knowledge with real-world application.

Using locally sourced materials, the team repurposed Taiwan red cypress (Japanese cedar) that had naturally completed its life cycle within the forest. Through skilled timber construction techniques, they built a uniquely shaped double-curved wooden bridge made entirely from native Taiwanese materials. The project took nearly two years to complete.

The bridge not only sequesters approximately 1,200 kgs of carbon but also stands as a symbol of cooperation between academia and industry. It embodies a successful integration of public welfare, academic research, and practical engineering, while exemplifying ESG principles and the shared social responsibility of both corporations and universities.