Spotlight
NCYU and NYCU Sign MOU to Build an End-to-End Traditional Chinese Medicine Ecosystem
In support of the national vision of establishing Taiwan as a “Technology Island for Herbal Medicine,” National Chiayi University (NCYU) and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on academic exchange and collaboration on June 14. Through this strategic partnership, NCYU will contribute its strengths in medicinal plant cultivation and agri-food innovation, while NYCU will provide its expertise in smart healthcare and clinical validation. Centered on the integrated development of traditional Chinese medicine, the collaboration will serve as a key blueprint for future cooperation. Drawing on the expertise of both universities, the partnership aims to establish a comprehensive traditional Chinese medicine value chain spanning germplasm conservation, smart cultivation, and clinical applications. On the eve of the signing ceremony, a joint research team led by Prof. Wen-Liang Chen of NYCU, Prof. Cheng-Nan Chen of NCYU’s Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, and Associate Prof. Ming-Ru Lin of the Department of Physical Education, Health & Recreation won six gold medals and two special awards at the 40th World Genius Convention & Education Expo, Japan 2026. The team successfully developed high-purity herbal exosome nanovesicles for applications in long-term skin care, post-aesthetic-treatment recovery, and pet skin repair, laying a solid foundation for deeper collaboration between the two institutions. During the exchange meeting, scholars from both universities shared interdisciplinary research achievements in traditional Chinese medicine, ranging from herbal cultivation and biostimulants to anticancer mechanisms, demonstrating strong research capabilities and academic excellence. Under the collaborative framework, NCYU will leverage its strengths in agriculture and regional industrial networks by taking responsibility for elite cultivar breeding, the establishment, collection, and conservation of medicinal herb germplasm resources, and cultivation research across diverse geographic environments at high, medium, and low elevations. The university will also introduce smart agriculture technologies to ensure consistent medicinal herb quality and conduct ingredient extraction and analysis, thereby strengthening connections with the herbal medicine industry throughout the Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan region. With its strong foundation in medicine, basic sciences, and technological integration, NYCU will advance research on herb-drug interactions, clinical trials, big data analytics, and smart healthcare while supporting the development of related regulations and institutional frameworks. NCYU President Han-Chien Lin noted that the university has actively expanded into medical and pharmaceutical fields in recent years as part of its goal to establish its eighth college, the College of Medicine. NCYU has already launched a Master’s Program in Integrative Chinese and Western Medical Sciences, steadily building its teaching and research capacity. NCYU’s College of Life Sciences and College of Agriculture have long been engaged in the cultivation, application, and extraction of medicinal herbs, achieving notable progress particularly in green extraction technologies and laying a strong foundation for future development. Collaboration with NYCU will facilitate the integration of research and clinical resources and accelerate the development of traditional Chinese medicine. In academic year 2024–2025, NYCU established its School of Chinese Medicine, the first of its kind among national universities in Taiwan. The School is dedicated to cultivating "New Chinese Medicine" professionals equipped with the mindset of scientists and engineers. By integrating molecular medicine, brain science, and artificial intelligence technologies, it seeks to provide scientific interpretations of traditional medicine. NYCU President Chi-Hung Lin emphasized that high-quality, standardized medicinal herbs are key to clinical validation and new drug development. The collaboration is expected to deepen academic exchanges and establish an interdisciplinary medical education platform. It will also promote precision health and high-value development in the traditional Chinese medicine industry, strengthening Taiwan’s ties with the global traditional Chinese medicine community. Through this agreement, both institutions hope not only to expand faculty and academic resource sharing but also to cultivate interdisciplinary leaders with expertise in cultivation, pharmacology, and clinical practice. From the fertile soils of the Chianan Plain to the consultation rooms of major medical centers, NCYU and NYCU will work together to promote precision health and high-value development in the traditional Chinese medicine industry. The partnership will enhance Taiwan’s competitiveness in the global natural health products market and contribute to the development of a national-level traditional Chinese medicine research and application system. Photo 1: NCYU and NYCU sign an MOU on academic exchange and collaboration, opening a new chapter in inter-university cooperation. Photo 2: NCYU and NYCU hold a collaborative exchange meeting to discuss plans for future collaboration.
2026.06.08
From “Discovering Chiayi” to Cultural Revitalization: NCYU and the Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office Collaborate to Build a Sustainable Industry Chain for a Century-Old Railway
To align with national cultural heritage preservation policies and regional sustainable development while strengthening connections between higher education and local industries, National Chiayi University (NCYU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office under the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, on April 28. Through this partnership, the two institutions will integrate academic research, talent cultivation, and field-based practice to jointly promote the preservation of the Alishan Forest Railway’s cultural heritage and the development of industries along its route. The collaboration focuses on seven key areas: the investigation, preservation, and adaptive use of forestry cultural heritage; railway environmental maintenance and soil and water conservation; tourism affairs, brand marketing, and international exchange; educational outreach and interdisciplinary talent cultivation; park management and planning of affiliated operations; forestry education and field-site development; and exchanges in administrative practices and professional capacity building. Through this comprehensive framework, the partnership aims to enhance the sustainable development of the Forest Railway, improve environmental safety along the route, and strengthen the administrative effectiveness of both institutions. NCYU has long promoted its “Discovering Chiayi” micro-credit course, encouraging students to step beyond the classroom and engage in field-based learning. As part of this collaboration, sites along the Alishan Forest Railway, from Beimen Station to Alishan, will be incorporated into the curriculum. This initiative will establish a systematic framework for guided learning and research. NCYU President Han-Chien Lin noted that the university has established the Shuisheliao Learning, Research and Education Center adjacent to Shuisheliao Station on the Alishan Forest Railway. By drawing upon NCYU’s strengths in teaching and research and integrating the cultural heritage context of the Forest Railway, the Center seeks to bring the historical and ecological significance of the Alishan Forest Railway to life in Chiayi and open a new chapter in cultural sustainability. This endeavor not only fulfills NCYU’s commitment to University Social Responsibility (USR), but also transforms “Discovering Chiayi” into a knowledge bridge connecting younger generations with the heritage of the century-old railway. The Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office is dedicated to revitalizing railway assets to drive regional transformation and promote cultural revitalization along the railway corridor. Director Wang Chao-pao stated that the Alishan Forest Railway is not only a nationally significant cultural landscape in Taiwan, but also a “cultural artery” linking Chiayi with the mountainous region. With professional support from NCYU, the office will further transform railway assets into drivers of local sustainability, encourage community participation, and bring new commercial vitality and artistic energy to stations along the route. Through this collaboration, both parties aim to create a new model of cultural tourism that integrates forestry heritage, industrial linkages, and aesthetic design, generating brand value rooted in local identity while enhancing international competitiveness. The signing of this MOU between NCYU and the Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office not only demonstrates the university’s commitment to local engagement and national cultural heritage policies, but also paves the way for the cultural sustainability of the Alishan Forest Railway. Photo 1: NCYU’s Shuisheliao Learning, Research and Education Center is located adjacent to Shuisheliao Station on the Alishan Forest Railway. Photo 2: NCYU President Han-Chien Lin and Director Wang Chao-pao of the Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office pose for a group photo after the signing ceremony.
2026.06.08
Strengthening Taiwan–Japan Academic Ties: NCYU and Nagasaki University Advance Collaborative Research on Transnational Migration and Agri-Food Education
Exchanges between National Chiayi University (NCYU) and its sister university, Nagasaki University in Japan, have reached a new level. On March 5th, Prof. Naomi Hosoda and Associate Prof. Yasuaki Sato from the Faculty of Multicultural Studies at Nagasaki University, along with Lecturer Taeko Moriyasu from the Office of International Cooperation, visited NCYU and were received by Chief of the Office of Research and Development Yu-Ching Yeh. Both sides reached multiple agreements on transnational academic collaboration and will engage in in-depth cooperation on understanding immigrant cultures and sustainable agri-food education. NCYU and Nagasaki University have a long history of research collaboration, student exchanges, and cross-cultural interactions. One key area of their collaboration will focus on transnational migration studies and cultivating cultural understanding among university students. Prof. Naomi Hosoda of Nagasaki University is a specialist in transnational cultures in East Asia, with a long-standing focus on cultural adaptation among migrant workers and immigrants. Yu-Ching Yeh, Chief of Research and Development at NCYU, has extensive experience researching immigrant families in Taiwan. She was commissioned by the Ministry of Education to develop parent–child reading materials in seven Southeast Asian languages, with remarkable results. Based on their shared interests in social issues, Yu-Ching Yeh, Chief of Research and Development, and Prof. Naomi Hosoda will jointly launch the "Taiwan–Japan Transnational Research Project on University Students’ Understanding of Migrant Workers." The project aims to examine the perspectives of younger generations in both countries and how they embrace cultural diversity. Associate Prof. Yasuaki Sato of Nagasaki University is an expert in East Asian banana cultivation and trade. Another collaborative research theme will trace the transnational history of bananas, integrating agri-food education with sustainability education in Taiwan and Japan. Associate Prof. Yasuaki Sato noted that Meinong District in Kaohsiung served as a key hub for Taiwan’s banana exports to Japan during the Japanese era. During this visit, he will travel to Meinong to conduct field research. In the future, Associate Prof. Yasuaki Sato will collaborate with interdisciplinary research teams from NCYU’s Department of Applied History, Department of Horticulture, and Department of Marketing and Tourism Management to further advance research on sustainable agri-food education. Highlights of the project include developing practical teaching materials by compiling agri-food education experiences from kindergartens to primary and secondary schools in both regions. These materials incorporate key concepts such as environmental sustainability, eco-friendly farming, marine environmental awareness, and seasonal eating. Another key component is cultural comparison, which involves a comparative study of school lunch types and dining rituals between Taiwan and Japan. Finally, the project will also explore behavioral guidance by analyzing how agri-food education profoundly shapes students’ daily dietary habits from a cultural perspective, ultimately contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. NCYU stated that this exchange not only deepens the sister-school partnership but also extends the academic vision from campus exchanges to empirical research on global issues. Through this transnational collaboration, both parties look forward to making a substantial impact on cultural integration and environmental education in East Asian societies. Photo 1: Lecturer Taeko Moriyasu (first from left), Prof. Naomi Hosoda (second from left), and Associate Prof. Yasuaki Sato (first from right) from Nagasaki University, Japan, meet with Yu-Ching Yeh, NCYU's Chief of Research and Development.
2026.04.07
NCYU Rises Steadily to Fourth Nationwide in Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, and Animal Husbandry, Demonstrating the Strengths of a Comprehensive National University
Global Views Monthly recently released the results of its 2026 “Most Favored University Students and Interns by Employers” survey. National Chiayi University (NCYU) ranked fourth nationwide in the “Most Favored Students in Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, and Animal Husbandry” category—following National Chung Hsing University, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, and National Taiwan University. NCYU also placed sixth in the category of “Most Favored General Universities in Southern Taiwan,” reflecting employers’ continued recognition of the university’s achievements in agricultural technology and interdisciplinary talent cultivation. As a pivotal comprehensive national university in southern Taiwan, NCYU has long dedicated itself to education, agricultural technology, life sciences, and veterinary medicine research, gradually establishing a competitive edge in interdisciplinary studies. NCYU promotes STEAM and science education, precision agriculture, and smart agriculture technologies. Its Chinese herbal medicine research integrates green extraction with patented mass-production technologies. In the fields of food science and biotechnology, the university collaborates with industries to develop functional products and sustainable processing technologies, creating a complete ecosystem from education and research to industrial application. In recent years, NCYU has gained growing recognition for its research and innovation. Five of its professors were included in Stanford University’s 2025 list of the “World’s Top 2% Scientists.” At the 21st National Innovation Award, NCYU research teams received three “Academic Innovation Awards,” ranking sixth among national universities. Among these achievements, NCYU’s green chemistry technology is advancing the sustainable development of Taiwan’s medical device industry. The team received the National Innovation Award for the third time and represented Taiwan at BioJapan 2025, the largest biotechnology exhibition in Japan. It also received the 2025 Torch Award for Best Nominee from the Asian Association of Business Incubation, demonstrating strong research capabilities. In addition, NCYU has implemented interdisciplinary projects funded by the National Science and Technology Council in the humanities and social sciences, supporting initiatives such as cultural and ecological tourism development in Haomei Village, Budai Township, Chiayi County. The project was shortlisted for the 7th Global Views USR Awards in 2026, demonstrating the university’s commitment to local social responsibility. All departments at NCYU have incorporated AI applications into their curricula and joined the Ministry of Education’s Taiwan Artificial Intelligence College Alliance (TAICA). Through cross-institutional AI programs, the university offers AI-related courses and four types of credit programs to meet the diverse learning needs of students across disciplines. A recent report on the U-NEWS website noted that what AI lacks most is not computational power, but the ability to understand long-term contextual and causal relationships within human society. For example, the Department of Applied History at NCYU cultivates the ability to construct contextual frameworks, enabling students to interpret large volumes of data and integrate ethics and values into AI technologies. In response to global challenges in food security and climate change, NCYU’s Department of Agronomy is transforming into a key force in safeguarding food security and advancing the development of Taiwan’s Chinese herbal medicine industry. From genetic breeding and smart agriculture to AI-based sensing and IoT applications, the department plays a key role in food security, agricultural transformation, and the development of Taiwan’s herbal medicine industry. In a future shaped by both the AI revolution and climate change, higher education must not only cultivate technological talent but also develop interdisciplinary talent capable of understanding both social and natural systems. NCYU’s steady rise to fourth place nationwide in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and animal husbandry, as well as sixth among employers’ preferred general universities in southern Taiwan, reflects its growing role as a key hub for agricultural technology, education, and holistic health research within Taiwan’s higher education system. Photo 1: NCYU ranks fourth nationwide in the “Most Favored Students in Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, and Animal Husbandry” category in the 2026 Global Views Monthly “Most Favored University Students and Interns by Employers” survey. Photo 2: NCYU ranks sixth in the “Most Favored General Universities in Southern Taiwan” category in the 2026 Global Views Monthly “Most Favored University Students and Interns by Employers” survey. Photo 3: Led by NCYU President Han-Chien Lin, the university takes part in BioJapan 2025, showcasing a wide range of innovative research achievements and technological applications that demonstrate strong research and development capabilities.
2026.04.07
NCYU and TLRI Unveil Breakthrough Feed Additive Technology with Commercial Potential, Marking a New Milestone for Sustainable Livestock Development in Taiwan
National Chiayi University (NCYU) and the Taiwan Livestock Research Institute (TLRI), Ministry of Agriculture, have long maintained a close partnership and officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on April 28th, 2022. Under the joint leadership of NCYU President Han-Chien Lin and TLRI Director General Jeng-Fang Huang, Ph.D., the two institutions launched the “Sustainable Innovation Joint Research Program” in 2024, integrating academic research with practical application resources to complement each other’s research capabilities. This long-term initiative has begun to yield tangible results. On the 30th, NCYU held a presentation in the audiovisual classroom of the Department of Animal Science. The event unveiled a revolutionary feed additive technology with strong commercialization potential, marking a significant step forward in the sustainable development of Taiwan’s livestock industry. President Han-Chien Lin stated that NCYU and TLRI are both key institutions driving the development of agricultural science and technology in Taiwan. Through the “Sustainable Innovation Joint Research Program,” the partnership has successfully integrated NCYU’s expertise in microbial fermentation with TLRI’s extensive practical experience in animal nutrition. The results were jointly produced by the team led by Prof. Chen Kuo-Long of the Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture at NCYU, and the team led by Researcher Chin-Bin Hsu of TLRI. This collaboration highlights the synergistic benefits of cross-disciplinary integration and offers concrete solutions to key challenges in the livestock industry. TLRI Director General Jeng-Fang Huang, Ph.D., stated that the results stem from the long-term dedication of Prof. Chen Kuo-Long’s team at NCYU to microbial fermentation and feed innovation. The technology was further validated by TLRI through systematic animal trials, confirming its feasibility and effectiveness in real-world production settings. The study covered a range of livestock, including sows, finishing pigs, laying hens, broilers, and suckling lambs. The results showed that the fermented products improve animal health and production performance, demonstrating strong potential to replace antibiotic growth promoters and for commercialization. The core of the technology lies in the application of microbial fermentation to address environmental challenges and significantly reduce feeding costs. The three key technical highlights are as follows: (1) value-added utilization of feathers and meat-and-bone meal: By integrating chemical and physical processing with fermentation using self-selected probiotic strains, the team successfully converted feathers and meat-and-bone meal, which are traditionally difficult for monogastric animals to digest, into highly digestible, high-quality protein. The process achieved a 63% feather degradation rate within one day, the highest reported in the literature to date. Trials have confirmed that this product significantly promotes growth in pigs, chickens, geese, and lambs. It can fully replace expensive imported fish meal, thereby substantially improving production performance and economic efficiency. (2) Replacement of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) and high-quality fish meal: Using specially selected microbial strains and agricultural by-products, the process can produce up to 3% of the antimicrobial lipopeptide surfactin within one day. It inhibits Salmonella and Escherichia coli while regulating intestinal physiology, making it a natural alternative to traditional AGPs and high-quality fish meal. (3) Application of plant-based, antibiotic-free feed: Domestic agricultural by-products, particularly fibrous feed materials such as soybean hulls, wheat bran, spent mushroom substrate, and Bidens pilosa L. var. radiata, together with soybean meal, are used as substrates in a microbial fermentation process to produce plant-based feed materials. The resulting formulations enable fully plant-based and antibiotic-free feed for broilers and native chickens (Wenchang chickens) throughout the production cycle. This approach delivers superior production performance and economic efficiency compared to conventional commercial feeds. The team has successfully developed a fully plant-based, antibiotic-free feed formulation for poultry, enabling consumers to enjoy safer livestock products while supporting local production, energy conservation, carbon reduction, and sustainable agriculture. All three technologies have been validated for mass production, with their technical maturity and innovation widely recognized by both academia and industry, as well as by national-level awards. To date, the project has won the 2024 National Innovation Award, the 2025 National Innovation and Advancement Award, the runner-up in the 2024 "Shine Bright" Agricultural Biotechnology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, and third place in the 2025 edition of the same competition. Notably, under the theme of “Reducing Carbon Footprint,” the technology received the 2025 Future Tech Award from the National Science and Technology Council. It was the only award in the agricultural category, underscoring its leading position in technological innovation and commercialization potential. Photo 1: NCYU and TLRI present a revolutionary feed additive technology with commercialization potential. Photo 2: Prof. Chen Kuo-Long from the Department of Animal Science, NCYU, explains the three key highlights of the presentation. Photo 3: Associate Prof. Chia-Wen Hsieh from the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biopharmaceuticals, NCYU, explains the research findings on antimicrobial lipopeptide surfactin.
2026.04.07
NCYU and NYCU Join Forces to Advance Chinese Herbal Medicine, Forging a New Paradigm for Modern Chinese Medicine
In response to the government’s national vision of building Taiwan into a science and technology hub for Chinese herbal medicine, President Chi-Hung Lin of National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) led a seven-member delegation, including Shuu-Jiun Wang, Dean of the College of Medicine, to National Chiayi University (NCYU) on January 26 for an academic exchange in traditional Chinese medicine. Through in-depth dialogue and the sharing of research outcomes, the two universities integrated NYCU’s strengths in smart healthcare and clinical evidence with NCYU’s extensive expertise in medicinal plant cultivation and agri-food innovation. Together, they are building a comprehensive value chain for Taiwan’s Chinese herbal medicine industry, from germplasm conservation and smart cultivation to clinical application. Under the leadership of President Han-Chien Lin and the long-term dedication of its Chinese herbal medicine research team, NCYU has received support from the Ministry of Education’s Higher Education Sprout Project and the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s medicinal plant cultivation program. These efforts have generated breakthroughs in research and application of native medicinal plants. Faculty from the College of Life Sciences and the College of Agriculture formed an interdisciplinary team that introduced Internet of Things (IoT) and sensing technologies to develop smart cultivation models for medicinal herbs such as mint, Houttuynia cordata, Artemisia capillaris, and Agrimonia pilosa. The approach effectively stabilizes the quality of their active compounds. The team has also established germplasm conservation systems for rare medicinal plants, including Taiwan pepper and Atractylodes macrocephala. These research outcomes have been successfully brought to market as anti-fatigue turmeric kombucha and a range of traditional herbal tea bags, underscoring a strong capacity to commercialize academic research. NYCU’s School of Chinese Medicine began recruiting students in academic year 2024–2025, making it the first national university in Taiwan to establish a Chinese medicine department. NYCU President Chi-Hung Lin noted that the key to “new Chinese medicine” lies in integrating modern technologies – molecular medicine, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence – to build scientific, evidence-based clinical validation for traditional medical practice. He emphasized that high-quality, traceable, and standardized sources of Chinese medicinal materials are indispensable for clinical research and new drug development. NCYU President Han-Chien Lin stated that amid the rapid growth of the global natural health industry and international competition under the WTO framework, Taiwan’s Chinese herbal medicine sector stands at a critical juncture for transformation and upgrading. Through this partnership, the two universities are advancing a strategic alliance on “medicine–agriculture integration.” NCYU will take charge of upstream efforts, including superior cultivar selection based on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and standardized smart cultivation, to ensure the quality and safety of Chinese medicinal materials. NYCU will focus on downstream efforts such as pharmacological mechanism analysis, clinical trials, and smart healthcare applications. Together, they will build an industry collaboration model that seamlessly links upstream and downstream efforts. This cooperation is expected to gradually address Taiwan’s long-standing structural reliance on imported medicinal materials while cultivating cross-disciplinary talent in Chinese medicine with strengths in cultivation, pharmacology, and clinical application. From the fertile lands of the Chianan Plain to consultation rooms in medical centers, NYCU and NCYU will work together to sharpen Taiwan’s “new Chinese medicine” brand, injecting strong momentum into national health and biotechnology industry advancement. Photo 1: NYCU President Chi-Hung Lin led a delegation from the College of Medicine to NCYU for an academic exchange in traditional Chinese medicine. Photo 2: The NYCU College of Medicine delegation visited NCYU to view the native medicinal plant Artemisia capillaris. Photo 3: The NYCU College of Medicine delegation toured NCYU’s Chinese herbal medicine extraction facility. Photo 4: NCYU President Han-Chien Lin (second from left), NYCU President Chi-Hung Lin (center), and team members from both universities posed for a group photo.
2026.02.11
