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.