To strengthen international research collaboration and foster New Southbound partnerships, National Chiayi University (NCYU), together with the Biotechnology and Health Care Association of Taiwan, hosted the 2nd International Conference on Biotechnology, Smart Farming and Entrepreneurship for Food Security (BioSFE 2025). The symposium opened on the morning of October 30 at the International Networking Academy on NCYU’s Lantan Campus. Symposium sessions were held from October 30 to 31, followed by a field visit to Chiayi Dapumei Intelligent Industrial Park on November 1. The event boasted a vibrant international atmosphere, attracting nearly 200 participants, including scholars, industry experts, and university students from Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and India.
In his remarks, NCYU President Han-Chien Lin noted that since its debut in Malaysia in 2023, BioSFE has become a vital platform for cross-border academic and industrial exchange. In the face of food security challenges amid climate change, resource depletion, and geopolitical impacts, NCYU is actively advancing New Southbound collaborations. With joint efforts from the College of Life Sciences and the College of Agriculture, NCYU works closely with industry partners and international academic institutions to explore innovations in biotechnology, smart agriculture applications, and food safety entrepreneurship. He stressed that international collaboration plays a key role in deepening scientific research exchange and facilitating sustainable agriculture practices both globally and locally.
During the opening ceremony, NCYU Vice President Ruey-Shyang Chen and Prof. Dr. Firdaus Abdullah, Rector of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak Branch, Malaysia, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). Witnessed by NCYU President Han-Chien Lin and Lai Ming-Tao, Chairman of the Biotechnology and Health Care Association of Taiwan, the signing marked an important milestone in bilateral research collaboration.
This year’s symposium invited three distinguished keynote speakers. Mr. Ching-Kuan Lin, President of Challenge Bioproducts Co., Ltd., delivered the talk “Innovative Strategies in Bioprocessing for Sustainable Food Security and Safety.” Prof. Jason Yi-Bing Lin, Lifetime Chair Professor at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, presented “AgriTalk – Smart Farming Based on AI and IoT.” Prof. Dr. Firdaus Abdullah discussed “Farming for Tomorrow: Building Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Food Systems,” outlining future pathways for resilient and sustainable food systems.
A student poster abstract competition
was also held, attracting nearly 40 submissions from young scholars across
universities and colleges, highlighting innovative research results and global
perspectives. Awards were presented on the second day, concluding the event on
a high note.
Photo 1: Faculty members posed for a group
photo after the signing of an MOA between NCYU and UiTM Sarawak Branch.
Photo 2: Group photo of participants at BioSFE
2025.
Photo 3: Prof. Dr. Firdaus Abdullah, Rector of
UiTM Sarawak Branch, signed the agreement on behalf of the institution.
Photo 4: Prof. Dr. Firdaus Abdullah spoke on
“Farming for Tomorrow: Building Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Food
Systems,” exploring the future of climate resilience and sustainable food
systems.