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Why altruism is an important quality for university students

By Craig OCallaghan Updated May 13, 2025

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Introduction
Why altruism matters
Working towards a more sustainable future
How to demonstrate altruism on your CV

Altruistic qualities can help you become a better leader

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To truly succeed in a leadership role, it’s not enough to only possess the practical and technical skills required for your chosen career. Being able to lead with empathy and sincerity is what sets the good apart from the great.

The key mission of National Taiwan University (NTU) is to nurture leaders equipped with altruistic qualities, who embody responsibility and honesty in how they carry themselves.

Combining these traits with creativity and other leadership skills ensures you’re a well-rounded professional and able to adapt and thrive to a range of careers and industries.

NTU offers a multitude of opportunities for its students to nurture altruism. Let’s take a closer look at some of these and the transformative impact they are having on students.

Why altruism matters

Altruism is an important quality for university students to learn for several reasons—both personal and societal. Building your emotional intelligence by stepping outside of your own experience and meeting people from other backgrounds is a key part of the university experience.

At NTU, the Overseas Internship Program enables both undergraduate and graduate students to work for non-profit organisations around the world and gain this wider exposure while working selflessly in a community-first mindset.

This sort of altruistic work fosters connection, trust and a sense of teamwork which are invaluable traits in the modern workplace. The concept of servant leadership, where leaders prioritise the well-being of others, is deemed to be extremely effective.

Students who practice altruism tend to become more ethical, compassionate, and impactful leaders in whatever field they choose.

Working towards a more sustainable future

A key way that NTU instills altruism in its students is through a focus on environmental and social sustainability. The university has launched the iNGO Academy to bring its students into non-governmental organisations through a training programme centered on sustainability.

Using the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) as a foundation, the iNGO Academy provides students from NTU with field opportunities outside the classroom, working as an intern in the NGO sector and tackling social issues.

iNGO Academy students also have a unique opportunity to serve a three-month term as a remote UN Volunteer, working on innovative ways to address challenges faced by Pacific Island nations, such as climate resilience and sustainable energy.

Participants receive certification from UN-affiliated institutions and acknowledgement in official UN publications.

How to demonstrate altruism on your CV

Showcasing soft skills and personal qualities on your CV isn’t as straightforward as demonstrating your academic record, but there are things you can do to help communicate your altruistic qualities to potential employers.

Demonstrating altruism to a potential employer can help you stand out as someone who’s not just qualified, but also compassionate and community-minded.

The most effective way to show this is by having examples of volunteer work on your CV. At NTU, more than 50 student clubs volunteer services to rural areas. This work is recognised by the university through Social Devotion Special Awards.

For example, a previous award winner, Elle Yang, founded the NGO ‘Love Binti International’, which is working in Africa to ensure all people can have full and fair access to healthcare.

Altruistic experiences such as this are the simplest way to showcase your personal qualities to employers, and don’t forget to use your cover letter and any job interviews as an opportunity to expand further on those experiences.

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