We are pleased to announce a significant milestone for the Taiwan and Global Drought Investigation & Research Center (TGDIRC). Professor Yuei-An Liou formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with representatives from Thu Dau Mot University (TDMU), Vietnam.

This agreement marks more than just a formal commitment; it signals the commencement of a comprehensive collaborative journey in the field of Earth Science. Under this framework, both institutions have pledged to:

*   Promote joint scientific research projects.

*   Facilitate academic exchange programs for scientists, researchers, and students.

*   Collaborate in training and nurturing the next generation of Earth Science experts.

NCU HRSL and TGDIRC place great value on this partnership with TDMU. We are highly optimistic about the opportunities this collaboration opens up and look forward to creating sustainable academic and scientific value together in the years to come.

We are proud to announce that Distinguished Professor Yuei-An Liou recently participated as a Keynote Speaker at the GIS 2025 National Conference held in Vietnam.

During the plenary session, Prof. Liou delivered an impactful presentation on "Applying GeoAI to Enhance Resilience Against Climate Change." His talk focused on the convergence of Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI) and satellite remote sensing data to address urgent climate issues. The presentation underscored the vital role of advanced technologies in monitoring environmental changes and improving disaster response strategies.

Prof. Liou expressed his appreciation for the enthusiastic reception from the audience, highlighting the insightful questions and the dynamic energy of the GIS community in Vietnam.

NCU HRSL extends our sincere thanks to the Organizing Committee (TDMU) for the invitation and their professional organization. We look forward to continuing to bridge the scientific communities of Taiwan and Vietnam through such significant academic exchanges.

Recently, Distinguished Professor Yuei-An Liou and the research team paid a highly meaningful working visit to the Research Center for Climate Change (RCCC-NLU) at Nong Lam University, Ho Chi Minh City. The delegation engaged in productive discussions with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Kim Loi and his colleagues.

The meeting focused on strengthening scientific research cooperation between the Taiwan and Global Drought Investigation & Research Center (TGDIRC) and RCCC-NLU (Vietnam). Both parties agreed on the common goal of leveraging advanced technologies—specifically Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Artificial Intelligence (AI)—to jointly address urgent challenges related to natural disasters, drought, and water security within the context of climate change.

Many concrete ideas and strategic directions were established during the session, promising to open a new phase of close and effective collaboration between the two centers.

NCU HRSL extends our sincere gratitude for the warm hospitality provided by Nong Lam University. We are eagerly looking forward to the implementation of our joint projects in the near future.

The Hydrology Remote Sensing Laboratory (HRSL) is pleased to announce that Professor Yuei-An Liou attended the 80th National Day celebration of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The formal event was held at the Grand Hyatt Taipei.

Professor Liou's presence at the event was a gesture of goodwill and respect on this significant occasion. HRSL values cultural and international exchanges, viewing them as important bridges for enhancing understanding and building cooperative, friendly relations

The Hydrology Remote Sensing Laboratory (HRSL) is pleased to announce that Professor Yuei-An Liou was a featured speaker at the 2025 ESG. He participated in the session “ESG in the Era of Net-Zero and AI,” which was chaired by President Shu-San Hsiau.

Professor Liou’s presentation, titled “Net-Zero Earth: Human Footprints and Environmental Resilience,” highlighted how the COVID-19 pandemic revealed the vulnerability of our global ecosystems under human influence.

Together with Prof. Ming-Hsu Li, Dr. Chien-Yung Ma, and Mr. Chi-Yung Lin, the session explored how industries are evolving ESG governance post-pandemic, balancing economic recovery with sustainability, and accelerating dual transformations in digital and net-zero strategies.

The discussion covered critical topics ranging from governance innovation and green supply chain strategies to the role of AI in sustainable transformation. HRSL is proud to contribute to this important dialogue, which promotes the integration of technology, policy, and sustainable development.

The Hydrology Remote Sensing Laboratory (HRSL) is pleased to announce that Professor Yuei-An Liou served as an expert panelist in a key session at the International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS) 2025. The panel, titled "Leveraging Satellite Data and AI for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation," brought together leading world experts to explore how remote sensing and artificial intelligence can be integrated to deliver tangible solutions for climate challenges.

During the exchange, Professor Liou shared the lab's latest research on extreme climate event analysis and highlighted the pivotal role of Explainable AI (XAI) in decision-making. He argued that when AI models are used to predict disasters such as floods or droughts, transparency is not merely a technical concern but the foundation of trust. Only by enabling policymakers and the public to understand why AI makes a certain judgment can we foster effective collaboration between technology and policy.

The professor also addressed the challenge of communication between scientists and government agencies. He emphasized that the goal of research is not just to build complex models but to ensure they become tools that are adoptable, trustworthy, and actionable. By using concrete case studies and visual tools, scientific outcomes can be made more aligned with the public interest.

This event served as a vital platform for thinking and acting together toward a sustainable future, and HRSL is proud to contribute to this important discussion.

The Hydrology Remote Sensing Laboratory (HRSL) is pleased to announce that Professor Yuei-An Liou delivered an oral presentation at the Asia Oceania Geosciences Society (AOGS) 2025 conference.

His presentation, titled “Satellite-based Indices for Regional and Global Drought Assessment: Implications for Water Resource Management in Urban Heat Environments,” explored how satellite data can support more effective drought monitoring and inform smarter water resource planning, particularly in cities facing extreme heat and climate stress.

This engagement underscores HRSL's pioneering role in applying remote sensing technology to address environmental challenges. We extend our gratitude to the AOGS community for the opportunity to share our research and contribute to advancing science for a more resilient and sustainable future.

It was our great honor to host Professor and Academician Yun Zhang, who delivered a compelling and insightful lecture on:

Remote Sensing Image Processing Related to Combating Climate Extremes

From hyperspectral detection of spruce budworm defoliation to cutting-edge super-resolution techniques in multispectral imaging, the talk showcased the depth and breadth of innovation at the intersection of environmental science and technology. Professor Zhang also revisited the foundational contributions to Google Maps—truly a journey through impactful research and real-world application.

Grateful to all who attended and engaged with today’s event. Let’s continue advancing science through meaningful dialogue and collaboration! 

 A proud moment today! Congratulations to my master student, Liang-Yen Lin (林良諺), for his successful oral defense!

His thesis, “The Impact of Drought on Corporate Financial Performance and Cost of Equity Capital with Remote Sensing” (《從遙測技術看乾旱對企業財務績效與權益資金成本的影響》), marks a bold interdisciplinary advance—merging remote sensing science with financial analytics to reveal how climate extremes influence business performance and investor behavior.

Through innovative use of drought indices like SPI-6 and SWATI, his research demonstrates how AI-driven environmental insights can strengthen corporate resilience and reshape sustainability strategies in a warming world. 📡💧📈

🌿 Truly proud of his achievement and intellectual courage. Here's to his bright journey ahead!

Our center had the honor of chairing Prof. Piotr Wezyk’s insightful presentation at the Center for Space and Remote Sensing Research, National Central University. His talk, “Satellite and Airborne Remote Sensing Technologies in the process of Long-term Monitoring of Urban Biologically Active Areas (UBAA) as a Tool for Mitigating Climate Changes”, offered a compelling look at how cities like Kraków (Poland) harness remote sensing data to protect and restore vital green spaces amid growing climate pressures.

This marks yet another chapter in our ongoing exchange—from walking beneath the banyan tree on campus to contemplating its recovery and fragility after Typhoon Danas. In the face of these challenges, Piotr’s work reminds us that satellite eyes and forest wisdom together can nurture more resilient cities.

Grateful for this fusion of science, reflection, and restoration. 🌏 #urbanecology #remotesensing #climateadaptation #ncu #ecoscience #GlobalCollaboration #KrakowClimateModel

Post-Conference Reflections: From Forests to Campus Roots

Following the ICEO&SI 2025 and our forest ecosystem fieldwork, I had the pleasure of welcoming Piotr—an expert in forestry—for a campus walking tour at National Central University. We visited our representative tree, the banyan, a symbol of resilience nestled in the heart of campus. Its silky appearance and signs of recovery sparked an engaging discussion on ecological stewardship and possible restoration strategies. I am grateful for these quiet yet meaningful moments where global expertise meets local heritage. 🌱

Nature's Strength and Fragility

Just after our serene walk, the skies reminded us of their formidable power. Typhoon Danas swept through Taiwan, leaving over 400,000 households without power and causing agricultural losses exceeding NT$1 billion. Among the signs of damage was a deeply symbolic sight—a large tree whose trunk had snapped, despite its remarkable attempt to grow supportive limbs parallel to its branches. This served as a vivid illustration of how living systems adapt for resilience, yet remain vulnerable in the face of intensifying climate extremes.

As we strengthen global networks through academic collaboration, these quiet moments of observation remind us of the urgent need for local action in climate adaptation and ecological preservation.

#ForestryScience #EcoRestoration #NCU #CampusEcology #ICEOSI2025

We are proud to share that Prof. Yuei-An Liou, along with members of the Hydrology Remote Sensing Laboratory (HRSL), actively participated and presented at the International Conference on Earth Observations and Societal Impacts (ICEO&SI) 2025. At the conference, the HRSL team showcased their latest research on remote sensing applications in water resources management, environmental monitoring, and the impacts of climate change.

Their presentations received great interest from the international scientific community, helping to foster academic exchange and expand collaboration with global partners. This event was also a valuable opportunity for HRSL members to learn, update their knowledge, and connect with leading experts in the field of Earth observation.

A heartfelt thank you to the organizers and all participants for making ICEO&SI 2025 such an inspiring and meaningful event, opening up new opportunities for scientific advancement and international cooperation.

Chair Professor Yuei-An Liou recently attended the Japan Geoscience Union Meeting (JpGU 2025) in Chiba, held from May 25 to 30. The conference concluded with outstanding engagement—final oral and poster sessions remained bustling with participants, reflecting the event’s resounding success.

During this vibrant week, Prof. Liou delivered a speech, chaired a session, and joined the Progress in Earth and Planetary Science (PEPS) Editorial Board meeting. The day continued with a dinner party, though he regrettably missed the AOGS dinner gathering due to a tightly packed schedule.

JpGU 2025 provided an excellent opportunity to reconnect with old friends and meet new colleagues from around the world. HRSL congratulates the organizers on a successful event and looks forward to the next milestone: JpGU-AGU 2026, which promises to be another triumph.

We are proud of Prof. Liou’s continued leadership and contributions to the global geoscience community.

Chair Professor Yuei-An Liou recently revisited Bilbao, Spain, at the invitation of Mr. Juan Tomas, CEO of Satlantis, just nine months after his first visit in July 2024. Prof. Liou expressed sincere gratitude to Mr. Tomas for his warm hospitality and for sharing the impressive progress Satlantis has made, including its expansion into five additional space missions—an exciting testament to the growing importance of remote sensing and space technology.

On May 5, 2025, Prof. Liou was honored to present the latest research capabilities of the Center for Space and Remote Sensing Research and the Hydrology Remote Sensing Laboratory (HRSL) at the HEGAN – Basque Aerospace Cluster workshop. The event, organized by Martín Fernández Loizaga and colleagues, brought together leading space institutes and industry representatives from across the Basque Country. The workshop provided a valuable platform for dynamic discussions and meaningful exchanges on recent advancements and future directions in space and remote sensing.

During the forum, Prof. Liou shared HRSL’s research progress and explored promising opportunities for collaboration—particularly in urban heat island studies and the application of innovative remote sensing indices for water management.

HRSL looks forward to deepening international partnerships and contributing to the practical application of advanced remote sensing technologies for sustainable urban and environmental solutions.

Chair Professor Yuei-An Liou recently had the honor of visiting the University of Agriculture in Krakow, Poland, where he delivered an invited lecture titled "Innovations in Environmental Indices, Urban Heat Island Analysis, and Eco-environmental Vulnerability Assessment."

Highlights from the visit:

• Heartfelt thanks to Prof. Piotr Wężyk (Department of Forest Resource Management, Faculty of Forestry, URK) for his warm hospitality and thoughtful hosting.

• Prof. Liou shared the latest research findings from the HRSL team with faculty and students, sparking engaging discussions—including a thought-provoking question on the most influential parameter affecting global eco-environmental vulnerability maps before and during the pandemic.

• The visit offered a wonderful opportunity to discover the beauty of Krakow and its rich academic heritage, including a tour of the college where the legendary astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus once studied.

• Prof. Liou was deeply impressed by the kindness and openness of the Polish people.

The lecture will be available for online broadcast on April 29, 2025, at 13:15 (local time).
Watch here: YouTube Live

This enriching experience further strengthens the academic ties between HRSL and the University of Agriculture in Krakow, paving the way for future collaborations in environmental and geospatial research.