Spotlight
National Chiayi University (NCYU) Emerges as a Driving Force in Taiwan’s Biomedical Innovation
National Chiayi University (NCYU) is widely recognized for its rich agricultural heritage and its connection to the legendary KANO baseball team. Today, however, this century-old university in southern Taiwan is rapidly gaining international attention for a different reason: its groundbreaking research in smart agriculture, food biotechnology, medicinal plants, and plant-derived exosomes.
2026.07.08
Traditional Folk Culture Meets Digital Innovation: NCYU's Ba Jia Jiang Course Reimagines a Timeless Tradition
The interdisciplinary general education course, “Guardian Generals Cultural Experience and Digital Exhibition,” is jointly offered by Associate Prof. Jian-Sheng Wu of the Department of Applied History, folklorist Tsung-Han Wen, and the teaching team. It provides students with an opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the historical development and cultural significance of the Jia Jiang (Guardian Generals) tradition. Students from various departments recently assumed the roles of Jia Jiang, embodying the majesty and solemnity of the tradition. Organized into three performance troupes, they took turns “marching out” through the streets of Chiayi, bringing traditional folk culture beyond the classroom and showcasing the remarkable outcomes of the course. Moving past their initial uncertainty at the start of the semester, the students continuously practiced every movement and formation, gradually developing strong teamwork and gaining a profound appreciation for the loyalty, righteousness, and discipline embodied in the Jia Jiang tradition. The final presentation took the form of a live street procession, traveling from Wenhua Road Night Market through the iconic Fountain Circle to Ruyi Zhenyu Hall of Chiayi Ciji Temple. The students' dignified movements and determined expressions deeply moved local residents and senior folk practitioners along the procession route. They praised the group not only for breaking conventions but also for bringing vibrant contemporary energy to this century-old folk tradition through their dedication and perseverance. The course was carefully planned by the project team of “Digital Interdisciplinary Chiayi Tour: Reviving the Cultural Heritage of Zhuluo,” led by Prof. Pei-Lun Lee of the Department of E-learning Design and Management, in collaboration with the General Education Center of the Office of Academic Affairs. Enrollment exceeded 250 students immediately after registration opened, with only 55 students admitted through a computerized lottery. Notably, over one-third of the enrolled students were female, significantly challenging the public stereotype that Jia Jiang culture is exclusively male-dominated. Their participation also demonstrates the growing openness and diverse cultural appeal of traditional folk performance among younger generations. The course invited a distinguished lineup of master practitioners, all recognized as important bearers of Taiwan's cultural heritage, from Ruyi Zhenyu Hall of Chiayi Ciji Temple and Zhenyou Hall of Zhen'an Temple to provide hands-on instruction. Sharing their expertise without reservation, the masters passed on the authentic traditions of Ba Jia Jiang, including facial makeup artistry, ritual choreography, footwork, and performance techniques, inspiring a new generation of students to embrace and preserve this rich folk tradition. The face-painting workshop also received invaluable support from the Shi Jia Jiang troupes of Huangyi Hall at Zhenbei Temple in Beishewei, Chiayi, and Jisheng Hall of Chiayi Chenghuang Temple. With their guidance, students were able to fully experience the profound heritage of Jia Jiang culture, from its cultural context and the symbolic meanings of its individual roles to hands-on practice. In addition to hands-on training in traditional folk arts, the course integrates digital technology into cultural learning and preservation. The teaching team invited Director Eric Lin to provide instruction in portrait photography, Associate Prof. Chih-Chieh Yang to introduce AI applications, and Lecturer Zun-Hsiu Chen and Project Researcher Po-Yang Lee to design digital 3D modeling courses. Through physical participation in Jia Jiang culture as well as video documentation, artificial intelligence, and digital 3D modeling, students explored how traditional folk culture can be interpreted in contemporary ways and preserved digitally, while expanding possibilities for the exhibition and transmission of intangible cultural heritage. As the first university in Taiwan to offer a general education course integrating Jia Jiang cultural experience, folk art practice, and digital exhibition applications, NCYU's teaching team will continue to offer the program. Through preservation and innovation, the program aims to sustain the vitality of Jia Jiang culture, marking a new milestone in its sustainable development. It also seeks to inspire more young people to engage with tradition, understand folk culture, and continue bringing new vitality to Taiwan's intangible cultural heritage. Photo 1. The Jia Jiang troupe and all instructors pose for a group photo in front of Zhen'an Temple in Chiayi. Photo 2. Members of the Jia Jiang troupe learn how to tie traditional straw sandals on the temple steps. Photo 3. The Jia Jiang troupe performs during a traditional street procession.
2026.07.08
NCYU Wins CIE Outstanding Industry-Academia Collaboration Award as Collaboration Funding Surpasses NT$900 Million
National Chiayi University (NCYU) participated for the first time in the long-established Outstanding Industry-Academia Collaboration Award organized by the Chinese Institute of Engineers (CIE). Backed by its strong research and development capabilities, the university received the award at the 2026 Joint Annual Meeting and Engineers’ Day Celebration, held on June 5 at the Auditorium of China Steel Corporation. This honor not only recognizes NCYU’s ability to transform academic achievements into industrial value, but also demonstrates the university’s strong capability in building industry partnerships. Guided by its motto, “Sincerity, Action, Innovation, and Service,” NCYU has achieved outstanding results in industry-academia collaboration in recent years. In 2025, the total funding for NCYU’s industry-academia collaboration projects exceeded NT$900 million. Most notably, NCYU’s ranking in industry-academia collaboration income rose sharply from 57th to 26th in Taiwan. Through sustained efforts in such distinctive fields as smart agriculture, life sciences, food biotechnology, and veterinary medicine, the university has demonstrated the tangible social impact of its interdisciplinary research and industrial applications. NCYU’s research excellence has also extended beyond national borders. In recent years, NCYU has joined forces with The University of Tokyo to advance research on sustainable circular agriculture. Together, the two universities developed a natural weed-suppression technology using agricultural waste, significantly reducing the use of chemical herbicides. This cross-border achievement was selected for presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Plant Physiologists (JSPP) and the Japan-Taiwan Plant Biology (JTPB) Symposium, showcasing Taiwan’s green and sustainable technologies on the international stage. In addition, NCYU faculty members have demonstrated exceptional research and development capabilities by carrying out as many as 900 industry-academia collaboration projects in 2025. The university has received repeated national recognition, including the National Innovation Award for three consecutive years. It has also earned numerous honors, including the Gold Medal and the Special Award at the 38th World Genius Convention & Education Expo 2024, Tokyo, Japan, held at the Tokyo International Forum. The university also actively participates in industry exhibitions and research events in Taiwan and abroad, highlighting its research achievements in low-carbon agriculture, food processing, and sustainable technologies. These efforts have further enhanced the visibility and social impact of the university’s achievements in industry-academia collaboration. In technology transfer and local implementation, the university has successfully transformed its scientific research achievements into commercially available, well-received products. For example, the university partnered with MUJI and several local enterprises to launch eight innovative water-saving rice products made with eco-friendly farming practices. It also developed the domestically produced sake, Dita Ginjo, brewed from its proprietary water-saving rice variety, NCYU Tainan No. 2. In addition, lab-developed anti-fatigue turmeric kombucha, Chinese herbal tea, and value-added agricultural products have been successfully commercialized through technology transfer, embodying the sustainability and aesthetics of the farm-to-table concept. To cultivate talent, the university has pioneered a distinctive and highly effective model through its industry-academia talent development programs. Under this model, student projects are directly funded by enterprises and jointly supervised by industry mentors and NCYU faculty members. Generous scholarships are also provided, enabling students to make a seamless transition into industry during their studies and develop practical workplace competencies. This creates a win-win-win outcome for industry, the university, and students. In recent years, the university has become a cradle for innovative talent in southern Taiwan through its makerspaces, extension education programs, and corporate training courses. Looking ahead, the university will continue implementing its “One Department, One College, One Industry-Academia Partnership” strategy, focusing on eight key areas: smart agriculture, food technology, biotechnology, sustainable green energy, digital technology, smart logistics, mental health, and cultural and creative tourism. By strengthening collaboration among industry, government, academia, and research institutions, the university will support technological upgrading for local industries and realize its vision of “NCYU-driven Innovation and Shared Prosperity through Industry-Academia Collaboration.” It will continue to serve as a model sustainable university integrating innovative research, talent cultivation, and social responsibility. Photo 1. NCYU Vice President Ruey-Shyang Chen accepted the award on behalf of the university at the 2026 Joint Annual Meeting and Engineers’ Day Celebration. Photo 2. The university received the CIE Outstanding Industry-Academia Collaboration Award.
2026.07.06
NCYU Breaks Ground on Smart Pig House to Strengthen Teaching, Research, and Industry-Academia Collaboration
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Smart Pig House Renovation Project at the Animal Experiment Farm of the College of Agriculture, National Chiayi University (NCYU), was held on May 27 and presided over by President Han-Chien Lin. The ceremony underscored NCYU’s ongoing commitment to an enhanced teaching environment, a stronger research foundation, and closer connections with industry. Jointly funded through additional allocations from the University Endowment Fund and subsidies from the Ministry of Agriculture, the project has a total renovation budget of NT$33,605,113. Existing facilities will be renovated and upgraded to improve housing conditions, animal welfare, biosecurity, and smart management. The project will also support teaching, research, and industry-academia collaboration by creating a more comprehensive animal experimentation and training facility, thereby enhancing students’ hands-on learning experiences and research capacity. Upon completion, the facility will become a modernized site featuring smart systems, environmental control, enhanced animal welfare, and high biosecurity, marking another important milestone in the teaching and research development of NCYU’s College of Agriculture. Dean Rong-Show Shen of the College of Agriculture noted that the Animal Experiment Farm covers approximately five hectares and has been in operation for more than 42 years since its establishment in 1984. Its existing facilities can no longer fully meet the needs of modern livestock production, management, teaching, and research. As the global livestock industry moves toward smart technologies, energy conservation, carbon reduction, animal welfare, and biosecurity, the construction of a new pig house featuring high operational efficiency, intelligent monitoring, and animal welfare-oriented design has become both necessary and urgent. As pig farming is one of Taiwan’s key livestock industries, the Animal Experiment Farm serves not only as a key site for research and development but also as a demonstration facility for teaching and industry-academia collaboration. Advancing smart technologies at the farm will play a significant role in helping students better understand emerging industry trends while accelerating the modernization of the livestock industry. The Smart Pig House, which broke ground at the ceremony, will cover 1,230.8 square meters and accommodate approximately 600 pigs. The overall design incorporates segregated management zones to reduce the risk of cross-infection among pigs in different areas. It will also feature a smart environmental monitoring system and an anomaly alert mechanism to monitor temperature, humidity, ventilation, and housing conditions in real time, helping improve management efficiency and the quality of animal health care. In addition, the housing system combines group housing with individual feeding, balancing management efficiency while placing greater emphasis on sow welfare. This design reflects NCYU’s comprehensive commitment to professionalism, ethics, and sustainability in the development of its teaching and research facilities. NCYU expects the Smart Pig House, once completed, to provide stronger support for teaching, research, and industry-academia collaboration. It will also help strengthen students’ professional competencies and career competitiveness by providing them with hands-on experience with modern livestock facilities and management practices during their studies. NCYU will continue to focus on teaching innovation, research advancement, and industry engagement as it creates a more forward-looking and practice-oriented agricultural education environment. The university will also contribute to cultivating talent for Taiwan’s smart agriculture and modern livestock industries. Photo 1: NCYU President Han-Chien Lin delivers remarks at the Smart Pig House groundbreaking ceremony, encouraging continued enhancement of teaching, research, and industry-academia collaboration. Photo 2: President Han-Chien Lin joins distinguished guests in marking the official commencement of the Smart Pig House renovation project.
2026.07.06
Century-Old NCYU Joins Forces with the Irrigation Agency to Launch Three Major Initiatives: A Solar-Powered Covered Sports Facility, Smart Agriculture, and Green-Collar Talent Development
National Chiayi University (NCYU), a century-old institution committed to building a sustainable green university, formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on May 12. Led by President Han-Chien Lin, the NCYU delegation joined Director-General Tsai Sheng-Fu and his team from the Irrigation Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, for the signing ceremony. The two sides will integrate NCYU’s strong agricultural research capabilities with the Agency’s professional expertise and practical experience to advance comprehensive collaboration on key issues including campus space revitalization, smart irrigation, and net-zero talent development. This partnership will create a new win-win model of cooperation between academia and government. Space Utilization: Revitalizing Land Resources at the Sinmin Campus In terms of campus space utilization, both sides will coordinate and integrate land resources across agencies. In addition to enhancing the utilization of Irrigation Agency-owned land in the Hsialutou Section of NCYU’s Sinmin Campus, the project will create a safe, all-weather sports and green energy demonstration site for faculty members and students. Technology-Driven Development: Establishing a Smart Irrigation Demonstration Site at the Experimental Farm In response to the growing trend of smart agriculture, both parties will establish a Smart Irrigation Demonstration Site at the College of Agriculture’s experimental farms in the Bajhang and Duanzhu Sections, covering a total area of approximately 9.03 hectares. The project will adopt a “zoned planning and phased implementation” strategy. During the initial “launch phase,” water-saving irrigation systems and monitoring sensors will be installed in the core demonstration area. This will be followed by the “integration phase,” which will optimize irrigation and drainage systems and introduce automated control technologies and digital management platforms. In the final “resilience phase,” the farm’s capacity to adapt to extreme weather will be strengthened, transforming it into a teaching and demonstration site for farmers nationwide as well as a platform for policy validation. Sustainable Talent Development: Discovering Chiayi and Net-Zero Green-Collar Certification Programs This collaboration further extends education to the preservation of irrigation culture by incorporating NCYU’s “Discovering Chiayi” micro-credit course. Students will visit irrigation canals and ponds managed by the Irrigation Agency to gain a stronger understanding and appreciation of cultural heritage assets such as the Chianan Irrigation Waterway. In alignment with national policy, NCYU and the Agency will also promote Net-Zero Green-Collar Talent Development Programs featuring courses on carbon inventories and product carbon footprints. Upon passing the assessment, participating students will receive a Certificate of Completion for the Ministry of Environment’s Net-Zero Green-Collar Talent Development Program, significantly enhancing their competitiveness in the green job market. Looking Ahead: Cross-Sector Integration for Shared Sustainability President Han-Chien Lin noted that NCYU is a century-old green university with a rich historical legacy and a strong commitment to sustainability transformation. This collaboration focuses not only on revitalizing state-owned land within the Sinmin Campus, but also on transforming the campus into a practical learning environment. By establishing a smart irrigation demonstration site and promoting net-zero green-collar courses, students will gain hands-on exposure to industry practices during their studies. Through the “Discovering Chiayi” course, students will deepen their appreciation of local land and irrigation culture. The course will also help cultivate interdisciplinary professionals with the expertise needed to address future challenges related to climate change and carbon reduction, thereby fulfilling the university’s commitment to University Social Responsibility (USR). Director-General Tsai Sheng-Fu stated that the Irrigation Agency is committed to promoting cross-sector integration and sustainable development in agricultural irrigation. The partnership with NCYU represents an outstanding example of combining governmental resources with academic research capabilities. By jointly developing a solar-powered covered sports facility, both sides aim to promote the effective sharing of public resources and maximize land value. Meanwhile, the introduction of smart irrigation systems at the experimental farm will demonstrate policy outcomes and create a model site where farmers across Taiwan can observe technologies, exchange expertise, and advance smart agriculture. Together, the two sides aim to create a new model for sustainable and shared prosperity. Photo 1: NCYU and the Irrigation Agency formally sign an MOU to promote a smart irrigation demonstration site and sustainable talent development. Photo 2: Representatives from NCYU and the Irrigation Agency pose for a group photo following the signing ceremony, demonstrating their shared commitment to advancing sustainable development and talent cultivation through academia-government collaboration.
2026.06.08
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
