NEWS
Annual Report
- Publish Date:2025-01-23
2024 NYCU News Highlight

In 2024, the National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) English website published 150 news articles, categorized into 10 main themes, reflecting the university’s dynamic development and its leadership in academia, research, and international collaboration.
This year, NYCU emphasized four key promotional categories: International Affairs, Academics/Research Highlights, Industry Cooperation, and College Features. In addition, to showcase the diverse facets of NYCU—its deep roots in science, technology, and medicine and its rich foundation in humanities and arts—we introduced new sections such as the President’s Letter, Feature Column, and Feature Story. These additions offer unique insights into NYCU’s values and achievements.
Next, we’ll review the top 10 trending news of 2024 and 10 editor’s picks—must-know highlights from across 10 news categories.
This year, NYCU emphasized four key promotional categories: International Affairs, Academics/Research Highlights, Industry Cooperation, and College Features. In addition, to showcase the diverse facets of NYCU—its deep roots in science, technology, and medicine and its rich foundation in humanities and arts—we introduced new sections such as the President’s Letter, Feature Column, and Feature Story. These additions offer unique insights into NYCU’s values and achievements.
Next, we’ll review the top 10 trending news of 2024 and 10 editor’s picks—must-know highlights from across 10 news categories.
NYCU Top 10 Trending News

01. NYCU’s Japan Visit Spurs Semiconductor Innovation
NYCU President Chi-Hung Lin led a delegation to Japan, visiting major semiconductor hubs and top universities, including the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Hokkaido University, Tohoku University, Kyushu University, and Kumamoto University. The visit strengthened Taiwan-Japan ties, resulting in MOUs with Hokkaido, Kumamoto, and Kyushu Universities and collaborative workshops on cutting-edge research opportunities. (Link)

02. Expanding Southeast Asia Cooperation
NYCU hosted the 2024 Taiwan-Malaysia Semiconductor Forum in Kuala Lumpur, bringing together over 100 participants from academia, industry, and government to discuss semiconductor advancements and collaborations. President Chi-Hung Lin also inaugurated the Taiwan-Malaysia Overseas Science and Technology Innovation Center, signed MOUs with Pin Hwa High School in Malaysia and Hanoi University of Science (VNU-HUS), and strengthened talent exchange initiatives under Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy. (Link)

03. Honoring Industry Visionary Sachio Semmoto
NYCU awarded an honorary doctorate to Japanese telecommunications pioneer Mr. Sachio Semmoto for his remarkable industry achievements and societal contributions. During the ceremony, a family member of an injured computer science student expressed heartfelt thanks for Mr. Semmoto’s generous donation, which provided critical support. A touching video featuring the student, Classmate Liu, who suffered a brain injury, conveyed admiration and gratitude through handwritten messages, leaving a profound impact on attendees. (Link)

04. Tackling Faculty Shortages with Innovation
This article by alumnus Hung-Wen Lin highlights how NYCU addressed faculty recruitment challenges through alumni-funded scholarships. In 2023, it attracted two young professors, Ting-Jung Chang (Princeton) and Yu-Chun Yen (UIUC), back to Taiwan. This successful recruitment strengthened the College of Computer Science and set a model for other Taiwanese universities to tackle talent acquisition and succession planning. (Link)

05. Taiwan-Japan Semiconductor Symposium Success
Led by IAIS Dean Yuan-Chen Sun, NYCU joined the “Taiwan-Japan Semiconductor Next Generation Development Symposium” in Tokyo, engaging with SBI Holdings and top Japanese universities like Tohoku and the University of Tokyo. The event deepened Taiwan-Japan exchanges, linked R&D to industry, and highlighted IAIS’s role in advancing the global semiconductor ecosystem. (Link)

06. Breaking Technological Barriers in Spatial Computing
NYCU and Hon Hai Research Institute (HHRI) developed a groundbreaking “Novel Depth Sensing and Facial Recognition System,” combining nanophotonics with human-machine interaction sensing. Published in Nano Letters, this ultra-compact innovation could eliminate smartphone notches, enhance energy efficiency, and advance applications in facial recognition, robotics, and AR/MR. Supported by patents and national grants, it positions NYCU as a leader in Taiwan’s tech industry. (Link)

07. NYCU Teams Shine at iGEM 2023
At the 2023 iGEM competition in Paris, NYCU teams achieved outstanding success, with NYCU-Formosa winning a gold medal for their modular biomaterials platform powered by AI and NYCU-Taipei earning a silver medal for their “Vigila Guard” health monitoring device. These projects showcased NYCU’s interdisciplinary strengths, integrating bioengineering, AI, and humanities while promoting science through education and global collaboration. (Link)

08. Harvard WorldMUN Organized by NYCU Students
NYCU students independently organized the 2024 Harvard World Model United Nations (WorldMUN) in Taipei, showcasing their leadership and initiative. Supported by NYCU’s Liberal Arts College and Taipei City Government, the event promoted global youth exchanges, highlighted Taiwan’s vibrant culture, and reinforced NYCU’s commitment to cultivating globally-minded leaders. (Link)

09. NYCU Congratulates Tokyo Tech-TMDU Merger
NYCU visited Japan to strengthen semiconductor R&D collaborations with Japanese universities. President Chi-Hung Lin congratulated the Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) and Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) on their merger to form the Institute of Science Tokyo, aiming to deepen collaboration in innovation and talent cultivation. (Link)

10. Driving Digital and Sustainable Innovation
NYCU established the Data Finance Innovation Center (DFI) to drive data-centric innovation and promote technological diplomacy. President Chi-Hung Lin’s delegation to Japan engaged with the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) and the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), fostering Taiwan-Japan collaborations in semiconductors, sustainability, and digital innovation, strengthening NYCU’s role in global high-tech diplomacy. (Link)
Editor’s Picks

Collaboration with NICA to Address Aging Society Challenges
NYCU and the UK’s National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA) signed an MOU to tackle aging society challenges through big data and innovative research. As Taiwan nears super-aged status by 2025, this partnership—NICA’s first in Taiwan—aims to accelerate smart health initiatives and develop age-friendly solutions, reinforcing NYCU’s leadership in health and aging sciences. (Link)

Mathematical Models Advance Alzheimer’s Detection
Professor Albert Chih-Chieh Yang from the Department of Medicine developed a mathematical model originally designed for literary analysis, now applied to MRI scans to detect structural differences in Alzheimer’s-affected brains. Published in Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy, this breakthrough enhances diagnostic efficiency and holds potential for the early detection of other brain disorders, paving the way for more accurate treatments. (Link)

BioICT Hub at Bo-Ai Campus
NYCU is transforming its historic Bo-Ai campus into a global hub for BioICT and smart healthcare, led by the newly established College of Engineering Bioscience (CEB). Inaugurated in August 2024, CEB integrates engineering, AI, and biotechnology, advancing precision medicine, sustainable biotechnology, and translational engineering, while revitalizing Taiwan’s role in life sciences and engineering. (Link)

122 Researchers Among 2024 World’s Top 2% Scientists
Stanford University’s “2024 World’s Top 2% Scientists” list includes 122 NYCU researchers in the “Lifetime Scientific Influence Ranking” and 89 in the “Annual Ranking,” making NYCU the third most influential university in Taiwan. Dr. Liang-Kung Chen, Director of NYCU’s Center for Healthy Longevity, was named Taiwan’s top clinical medicine scientist for the fifth year, highlighting his global impact on aging research and community health initiatives. (Link)

Honorary Doctorate Awarded to Kris Yao
NYCU awarded its first Honorary Doctorate in Arts to architect Kris Yao, recognizing his global contributions and integration of technology, humanity, and creativity. Known for works like the Lanyang Museum, Yao shared his philosophy of balancing utility and creativity. The ceremony highlighted NYCU’s commitment to blending architecture with academic innovation and fostering collaboration between arts and sciences. (Link)

Bamboo Expo Showcases Sustainability
The 2024 Bamboo Expo and World Bamboo Congress, held at NYCU’s Chiaotung Campus in Hsinchu, showcased bamboo’s potential in crafts, architecture, and sustainability. The exhibition, themed “The Cubic of Bamboo,” combined Hsinchu’s historical roots as a “Bamboo City” with NYCU’s innovative designs like the “Rolling Pavilion.” Over 200 global experts explored sustainable applications, emphasizing bamboo’s role in promoting green lifestyles and driving carbon reduction. (Link)

NYCU Formosan Fox Rocket Team Competes Globally
The NYCU Formosan Fox Rocket Team, led by Assistant Professor Zu Puayen Tan, participated in the 2024 Spaceport America Cup (SA Cup), launching a self-made 3-meter rocket to an altitude of 3,000 meters, showcasing Taiwan's advancements in aerospace technology. Established in 2020, the team has grown through interdisciplinary collaboration and international partnerships, overcoming technical and logistical challenges. Looking ahead to the 2025 competition, the team aims to drive further innovation and elevate Taiwan’s presence in the global space industry. (Link)

NYCU Ambitiously Plans Global Exosome Research Base
NYCU is launching a global research center to advance precision medicine using exosomes, focusing on pancreatic cancer. Led by Dr. Ly James Lee and Dr. Chi-Ying F. Huang, the project aims to use exosomes for gene therapy and early disease detection, overcoming current cancer treatment limitations. This initiative highlights the importance of addressing unmet medical needs and positions Taiwan as a leader in biomedical innovation. (Link)

More Than an Architect: Professor Shu-Chang Kung’s Design Warmth and Social Impact
Professor Shu-Chang Kung, from NYCU’s Graduate Institute of Architecture, received the 2024 Golden Pin Design Honorary Award for his contributions to architecture and social practice. Known for projects like the Yilan County Government Center and humanitarian efforts, Kung blends design with societal impact. Transitioning to academia, he leads initiatives like the Humanitarian Architecture Movement and urban renewal, showcasing design as a transformative force rooted in people and driven by hope. (Link)

Letter from the President: Identify and Solve Problems
This 12-letter series from President Chi-Hung Lin explores learning, education, and life themes. Six letters have been published, with the third, “Identify and Solve Problems,” as a highlight. Reflecting on his academic and public health roles, President Lin emphasizes strategic problem-solving, citing Taiwan’s first newborn hearing screening policy as an example, and echoing Einstein’s view that defining problems is often more critical than solving them. (Link)
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