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.