Assistant Professor Shun-Nan Chiang of the International College of Innovation at National Chengchi University is offering the course “Innovation and Global Development” in the 113-1 academic term. This course aims to guide students in exploring the relationship between major global challenges and innovative solutions. It covers various forms of innovation and encourages students to apply critical analytical frameworks to examine the limitations and issues of current innovation-driven solutions.
In his recent article, “Solutions and Dissatisfaction in the Wave of Sustainable Development,” published in the Dong Hwa Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Professor Chiang delves into innovation competitions and solutions to social problems, echoing the themes of his course. He notes that in recent years, innovation-centric competitions have emerged worldwide, aiming to address major social issues such as poverty, hunger, and climate change through technology and business models. However, these competitions often overlook other potentially more suitable solutions. Overreliance on technological innovation can lead to an oversimplification of the problem’s essence and even neglect structural social challenges.
Additionally, Professor Chiang points out that this competition-driven model of solution production often aligns with Silicon Valley’s startup ecosystem, emphasizing speed, innovation, and market orientation, but potentially neglecting long-term social impacts and equity. He advocates for a more comprehensive and diverse perspective when addressing major global challenges, combining frugal innovation, community-oriented solutions, and policy innovation labs to effectively solve problems.
Through the “Innovation and Global Development” course, Professor Chiang hopes to cultivate students’ critical thinking, deepen their understanding of the complex relationship between innovation and global development, and encourage them to explore diverse and comprehensive solutions to current societal challenges. His research and course content offer a reflective perspective on the current enthusiasm for innovation, reminding us to carefully assess the appropriateness and long-term impacts of solutions while pursuing innovation.
Journal link: https://tinyurl.com/IGD2024-1
Assistant Professor Shun-Nan Chiang interacting with students during class (Photo credit: International College of Innovation)
Assistant Professor Shun-Nan Chiang explaining course content (Photo credit: International College of Innovation)
Assistant Professor Shun-Nan Chiang explaining course content (Photo credit: International College of Innovation)
Assistant Professor Shun-Nan Chiang interacting with students during class (Photo credit: International College of Innovation)
