Written by  NCKU Office of Internation Affairs.Image credit to NCKU News Center.
 

National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) welcomed a delegation led by Professor Ulrich Rüdiger, Rector of RWTH Aachen University, on October 23, 2026, to mark the 50th anniversary of the universities’ academic partnership. Since signing their first academic cooperation agreement in 1976, the two universities have built lasting ties through academic exchange, student mobility, and collaborative research. During the visit, the universities signed a university-level Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a university-level Student Exchange Agreement (SEA), marking a new chapter in their longstanding relationship.
 

RWTH Aachen University Rector Ulrich Rüdiger (left) and NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen sign a university-level Memorandum of Understanding and Student Exchange Agreement, laying a stronger foundation for future academic collaboration and exchange.
 

From 50 Years of Friendship to a Stronger Institutional Partnership: Advancing Research and Talent Development
 

In his welcome address, NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen emphasized that the partnership between National Cheng Kung University and RWTH Aachen University has spanned more than five decades, fostering not only the exchange of knowledge but also a strong and lasting bond across borders. Looking ahead, the two universities will continue to deepen their collaboration, with a focus on joint research and talent development. Through new research resources and interdisciplinary collaboration, they aim to advance research in key areas such as sustainability and health, ensuring that academic cooperation goes beyond publishing papers to address real-world challenges and deliver meaningful impact. In talent development, the universities will seek to expand student exchanges and explore opportunities for initiatives such as dual-degree programs, enabling students to learn in different academic environments and benefit from the expertise and research experience of faculty at both institutions. President Shen noted that cross-university exchanges can bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to research teams while bridging academic research and industrial applications. He expressed his hope that the two universities would build on their longstanding partnership to explore new opportunities, nurture the next generation of globally minded and innovative talent, and achieve an even greater impact through future collaboration.
 

In his remarks, Rector Ulrich Rüdiger described the 50th anniversary of the partnership as a significant milestone, reflecting not only the enduring institutional ties between the two universities but also the collective achievements of generations of students, faculty, and researchers. He expressed his sincere appreciation to NCKU for its steadfast support and commitment over the years, which have enabled the partnership to thrive for more than half a century. Rector Rüdiger noted that both universities share strong engineering traditions, a commitment to research excellence, and close ties with industry. Their complementary expertise and perspectives, he added, provide a solid foundation for expanding international collaboration. Looking ahead, the universities have opportunities to strengthen cooperation in research and teaching, student mobility, and exchanges of academic and professional staff, while exploring joint research and innovation in promising fields such as automotive engineering, electromobility, computational engineering, smart manufacturing, and energy systems. He emphasized that people are at the heart of every successful university partnership and expressed his hope that this 50th-anniversary milestone would serve as a new starting point for turning longstanding ties into more active, tangible, and sustainable collaboration as the two universities embark on the next 50 years together.
 

On behalf of the German Institute Taipei, Julian Goldmann, Head of its Science and Technology Division, extended his congratulations in a letter marking the 50th anniversary of the sister-university partnership between RWTH Aachen University and National Cheng Kung University. He recognized the strong ties the two institutions have built over the decades and the enduring contributions of successive generations of students, faculty members, and university leaders.
 

“Bilateral cooperation between Germany and Taiwan has gained significant momentum in recent years, particularly through joint funding initiatives in microelectronics, AI, and green technologies. The success of this German-Taiwanese partnership rests on the foundation of long-standing academic collaborations, such as the one between RWTH Aachen and National Cheng Kung University (NCKU). That RWTH Rector Prof. Rüdiger is leading a large multidisciplinary delegation from Aachen to Taiwan for this occasion clearly demonstrates that maintaining personal ties and mutual visits remains an essential pillar of robust university partnerships. While both Taiwan and Germany, as well as the world, have changed tremendously over the past 50 years, the enduring excellence in research and teaching at both institutions positions them perfectly to tackle the challenges of the next 50 years, be it in quantum technology, biomedical research, or advanced engineering,” said Julian Goldmann.
 

RWTH Aachen University Rector Ulrich Rüdiger (left) and NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen shake hands following the signing, symbolizing the longstanding friendship between the two universities and their shared commitment to strengthening international academic collaboration.
 

Exploring Frontier Technologies and Real-World Research Impact Through Interdisciplinary Exchange
 

Following the signing ceremony, the two universities held a university-level meeting featuring research presentations and discussions on their academic strengths, research capabilities, and potential areas for future collaboration.
 

NCKU presented research and innovations across several technology-driven fields. Professor Shau-Shiun Jan, Director of the Wong Tsoo Systems Engineering Research Center, introduced innovations in unmanned aerial vehicles and research related to defense self-reliance. Dist. Prof. Liang-Ming Whang, NCKU’s Vice President for Research and Development, discussed pathways for translating research into industrial applications. Dist. Prof. Jyh-Ching Juang, Director of the CubeSat Research and Development Center, presented the university’s work on CubeSats and space technology. Associate Professor Jui-Nung Liu, Director of the Institute of Microelectronics Engineering and the Program on Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, shared insights into Taiwan’s semiconductor ecosystem.
 

Together, these presentations showcased NCKU’s strengths in engineering, advanced technologies, and industrial applications, highlighting how academic research can address real-world needs.
 

Rector Rüdiger introduced RWTH Aachen’s development and research strengths, while Professor Lutz Eckstein, President of the Association of German Engineers (Verein Deutscher Ingenieure, VDI), shared research outcomes. Through presentations and open discussion, participants explored opportunities for joint research and development, technological innovation, and university–industry collaboration. Both sides expressed interest in bringing their expertise and research resources together to expand interdisciplinary partnerships and help translate research outcomes into practical applications.

Representatives from both universities engage in in-depth discussions at the university-level meeting, exploring interdisciplinary research and industrial applications in areas such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), satellite and space technologies, and semiconductors.
 

Visiting Advanced Research Facilities to Explore New Opportunities for Collaboration
 

In the afternoon, the RWTH Aachen delegation visited several of NCKU’s research facilities, including the Center for Quantum Frontiers of Research & Technology (QFort), the Electric Motor Technology Research Center (EMTRC), the NCKU Towing Tank in the Department of Systems and Naval Mechatronic Engineering, and the Core Facility Center (CFC). The visits showcased NCKU’s research in quantum technology, electric motor technology, maritime and fluid dynamics, as well as its shared research infrastructure.
 

Through on-site visits and discussions with research teams, the delegation gained a closer understanding of NCKU’s research expertise, experimental facilities, and technological capabilities. The exchanges also provided opportunities to identify potential starting points for joint research, interdisciplinary projects, academic exchange, and the practical application of research outcomes.
 

Delegations from NCKU and RWTH Aachen University pose for a group photo following their meeting, celebrating 50 years of partnership.
 

Looking Ahead to the Next 50 Years: Turning Academic Partnership into Lasting Impact
 

From the first academic cooperation agreement in 1976 to the signing of the university-level MoU and SEA in 2026, NCKU and RWTH Aachen have built a strong academic relationship over five decades. The latest agreements reaffirm their shared commitment while providing a stronger foundation for future joint research, talent development, and academic exchange.
 

As NCKU and RWTH Aachen embark on the next chapter of their partnership, both universities look forward to connecting research teams, nurturing a new generation of globally minded talent, and turning five decades of friendship into a dynamic partnership with lasting impact for the next 50 years.