NCKU and Institute of Science Tokyo Forge Strategic Ties in Semiconductors and Smart Medicine

Deepening Industry-Academia Synergy through Joint Research Centers to Transform R&D into Global Industrial Impact

A high-level delegation from the Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo), led by Vice President Yoichi Oshima, visited National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) on March 9 and 10, 2026. This visit followed the initial strategic dialogue sparked by NCKU President Dr. Meng-Ru Shen’s visit to Tokyo in September 2025. The two-day exchange focused on frontier fields, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI) medical imaging, and robotic medicine, aiming to bridge academic research with industrial implementation.

Executive Vice President Yung-Chun Lee opened the session by highlighting NCKU’s commitment to fostering deep research partnerships. He emphasized that the Office of International Affairs curated this program to showcase how NCKU’s Joint Research Center model strengthens research and development (R&D) and supply chain resilience. Vice President Oshima echoed this sentiment, noting that both universities share resonance in tackling global scientific challenges. He highlighted two pillars for future cooperation: interdisciplinary research to cultivate next-generation talent and the internationalization of innovation ecosystems to break through R&D bottlenecks.

▲Dean Yoichi Oshima (left) from Science Tokyo, with NCKU Vice President Shyy-Woei Chang (right)

Advancing Industry-Academia Collaboration and Cross-Disciplinary Innovation

The meeting, hosted by Vice President Shyy-Woei Chang, focused on how the two universities leverage industry-academia collaboration and cross-disciplinary research to more effectively translate R&D outcomes into tangible industrial impact. Discussions spanned forward-looking fields such as semiconductors, silicon photonics, AI medical imaging, and robotic medicine, extending to materials science, green power, and smart automation—demonstrating NCKU’s capacity for integrated, cross-domain research, and practical application.

Beyond the meeting, the delegation toured NCKU’s medical and research facilities and engaged with industry representatives to explore how the university connects academic research, clinical practice, and industrial operations. This in-depth interaction not only strengthened the strategic partnership between the two universities but also laid a more solid foundation for long-term development in technological innovation, talent cultivation, and industry-academia collaboration between Taiwan and Japan.

▲The Science Tokyo delegation on a campus tour at NCKU

▲Science Tokyo delegation visits the Delta Joint Research Center