NCKU Reaches New Heights in the 2026 THE Interdisciplinary

Science Rankings: Top Place in Taiwan and 35th Globally

▲Institute of Space and Plasma Sciences

Education at NCKU is a journey of constant evolution and boundary-crossing. By actively promoting interdisciplinary research and integrating 'cross-domain thinking' into our courses, we allow teaching and research to nourish one another. This integration has become the driving force behind our university’s progress and the very foundation upon which NCKU flourishes.

Ranked 35th globally and 1st in Taiwan in the 2026 THE Interdisciplinary Science Rankings, NCKU’s success reflects our dedication to cross-college collaboration and research integration. This milestone signifies international recognition of our efforts to broaden the global horizons of Taiwan’s higher education.

▲President Shen presenting the Sustainable Leap Forward Plan to faculty and staff.

NCKU is driving institutional growth by embedding interdisciplinary research into our teaching and curriculum, with dedicated funding support. This synergy forms our development core, built upon three strategic pillars:

1.Promoting Sustainable Cross-Domain & Excellence Initiatives

Fostering interdisciplinary research and learning capabilities across campus.

2.Launching the AI Summit Project: Connecting Global Communities and Building Smart Research Hubs.

3.Fully implementing the transition from "Sustainable Interdisciplinarity" to "Humanistic Practice."

Moving Toward a Century of Excellence: Interdisciplinary Innovation Drives NCKU’s Growth

Pioneering Innovation, Reaching the Summit.As the NCKU approaches its 99th anniversary, it will continue to place interdisciplinary innovation at the core of its development. By integrating our three key initiatives—deepening research breakthroughs, enhancing talent cultivation, and expanding global collaboration—we advance toward our 'Long-lasting Vision.' With a mission of 'Science for Social Good,' NCKU is moving steadily toward its centennial as a world-class institution.

▲Photoelectric Experiment in the 1950s

▲Chemical Experiment in the 1960s

About the Interdisciplinary Science Rankings

The Interdisciplinary Science Rankings (ISR) is a collaborative initiative between Times Higher Education (THE) and the internationally renowned research award Schmidt Science Fellows, designed to enhance scientific excellence and cross-institutional collaboration while assisting institutions in benchmarking their performance in interdisciplinary scientific research. This second edition included 1,267 universities from 94 countries and regions, with 911 ultimately listed and evaluated based on 11 performance indicators. These indicators provide a comprehensive assessment across three key dimensions: “Inputs,” such as research funding and resource allocation; “Process,” including success measurement mechanisms, research facilities, administrative support, and promotion systems; and “Outputs,” encompassing academic publication performance, research quality, and academic reputation.

▲AI in Practice: Student-designed companion robot for real-world applications.

▲AI in Practice: AI-powered smart sensing drone.