NCKU President Shen Leads Delegation to Science Tokyo to Strengthen Strategic Partnership
Written ＆ Image credit to NCKU Office of Internation Affairs.
National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) President Meng-Ru Shen led a high-level delegation to the Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo) from September 4 to 5, deepening the long-standing partnership between the two universities. The visit centered on three key themes: a presidential meeting, an academic conference on medicine and intelligent computing, and a semiconductor research conference. Science Tokyo President and CEO Naoto Ohtake, together with senior executives and faculty members, warmly welcomed the delegation, reaffirming the university’s strong commitment to collaboration.
President Shen stressed that pressing global issues—such as population aging, climate change, and rising healthcare costs—require interdisciplinary solutions that transcend medicine or engineering alone. NCKU’s Center for Transformative Bioelectronic Medicine exemplifies this approach, while Science Tokyo leads in artificial intelligence, robotics, and precision medicine. President Shen highlighted three key areas for collaboration: dynamic people exchange, impactful joint research, and innovation that transforms lives. He stated the potential of industry collaboration to co-develop surgical robots, intelligent rehabilitation systems, and AI-powered disease prediction models, with the goal of translating technologies into clinical practice to provide innovative healthcare solutions for aging societies.
President Shen further underscored Taiwan’s strengths in semiconductor innovation and sustainable manufacturing, which, when combined with Science Tokyo’s medical expertise, will accelerate progress in smart healthcare, bio-semiconductors, precision medicine, and sustainable health technologies. He stressed that international collaboration and interdisciplinary thinking are essential to address global challenges, and expressed hope that the partnership will foster breakthroughs with long-term impact, benefiting both nations and humanity.
Strategic dialogue between NCKU and Science Tokyo to deepen collaboration.
President and CEO Ohtake introduced Science Tokyo, established in October 2024 through the merger of Tokyo Institute of Technology and Tokyo Medical and Dental University. The institution now counts over 13,000 students, 340 international partners, two Nobel laureates, and the TSUBAME 4.0 supercomputer among its assets. Guided by its four new research institutes and six Visionary Initiatives, Science Tokyo is advancing its mission of creating a “Better Life, Better Society, and Better Planet.” He highlighted the longstanding relationship between Science Tokyo and Taiwan, particularly with National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), which dates back to the inaugural agreement signed in 1997 between the Tokyo Institute of Technology and NCKU. Since the 2024 Next-Generation Heterogeneous Integration Forum, the collaboration has extended into the semiconductor sector, culminating in the signing of a memorandum of understanding for industry-academia cooperation in this field. Looking ahead, both universities intend to initiate knowledge sharing and technical exchanges, gradually advancing into biomedical engineering and international joint research. This strategic partnership aims to propel academic and industrial development in both nations and contribute positively to the Asian and global communities.
The Science Tokyo leadership team attending the meetings included President and Chief Academic Officer Yujiro Tanaka, Executive Vice President for Research and Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Mutsuko Hatano, Executive Vice President for Institute Strategy Tetsushi Furukawa, Executive Vice President for Global Affairs Tomohiro Morio, former President Kazuya Masu of Tokyo Tech, as well as numerous academic representatives, highlighting the university’s strong commitment to partnership.
High-level engagement and academic synergy
On September 4, the presidential meeting featured an overview of NCKU by Vice President for International Affairs, Chair Professor Sun-Yuan Hsieh, who traced the university’s historical connections with Japan, including the inaugural president of NCKU, Wakatsuki Michitaka. He proposed strategies for future collaboration, including faculty exchanges, double degree programs, and large-scale research initiatives.
Eight keynote speakers from NCKU, Science Tokyo, and the Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institute (TSRI) shared research strategies, showcasing cutting-edge work in AI and robotics, semiconductor innovation, and bioelectronic medicine. Professor Jenn-Jier James Lien, Founding Director of NCKU Smart Sports Center, showcased AI-robotics integration with cloud intelligence and edge autonomy, building a data-driven cloud computing with digital twin, edge computing for brain perception and decision-making, cerebellum motion control, and an electromechanical design platform. Professor Yan-Kuin Su, Dean of Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing (AISSM), NCKU, analyzed semiconductor industry trends, including the drive for advanced manufacturing processes and packaging technologies across algorithms, accelerators, materials, and software. Dr. Ya-Ting Hsu, Department of Internal Medicine, NCKU Hospital, presented innovations from the Center for Transformative Bioelectronic Medicine, which integrates medicine, engineering, and computational intelligence platforms, developing advanced neuromodulation technologies to redefine treatment paradigms for neurological disorders, cancer care, and regenerative medicine.
NCKU and Science Tokyo embarked on a deep and meaningful academic partnership
On September 5, parallel conferences in medicine and intelligent computing, and semiconductors were held. The medicine and intelligent computing conference, themed “Efforts in the Utilization of Medical Data,” gathered 22 academic and administrative participants. Dr. Yi-Shan Tsai, Director, Center for Clinical Innovation and Research, NCKU Hospital, shared how NCKU Hospital improves stroke outcomes from 30% to 60% functional recovery through smart systems. AI body composition analysis enables personalized cancer treatment, reducing chemotherapy toxicity while achieving precision medicine and remote care delivery. Dr. Peng-Chan Lin, Vice Superintendent of NCKU Hospital and Professor of Genomic Medicine, highlighted that the integration of omics technologies and artificial intelligence is revolutionizing precision healthcare. By combining genomics, metabolomics, CT imaging, and clinical data, AI enables predictive modeling, accelerated genetic variant detection, and enhanced cancer management. Metabolomics bridges precision medicine and personalized nutrition, advancing individualized prevention, therapy, and health optimization. Dr. Kai-Lan Hsu, Department of Orthopedics, NCKU Hospital, presented a comprehensive health assessment program for professional teams, university teams, and national elite athletes, covering genetic testing, metabolite analysis, body composition, core muscle strength, cardiopulmonary function, and psychological status. Based on the assessment results, individualized interpretations and interventional treatments are provided.
President Meng-Ru Shen and NCKU delegation visited Science Tokyo, focusing on medicine, intelligent computing, and semiconductors.
The semiconductor conference, a core annual exchange between the two universities, featured 17 experts. NCKU showcased its strengths in semiconductor processing, advanced packaging, laser microfabrication, and nanomanufacturing. Meanwhile Science Tokyo’s WOW Alliance demonstrated expertise in 3D packaging, materials science, thin-film deposition, optoelectronic devices, and reliability analysis. The cooperation will focus on developing high-thermal-conductivity materials, such as SiC, for advanced packaging and power semiconductors, enhancing Through-Via processing and 3D integration, and creating AI-powered yield prediction and process monitoring systems for reducing defects. Planned initiatives also involve the adoption of digital twins for smart manufacturing, SiC/Ga2O3 devices for EVs and hydrogen systems, and advanced thermal management for energy efficiency. The universities aim to establish a joint research center, promote researcher and student exchanges, and secure funding through Taiwan’s NSTC and Japan’s JSPS to build a world-class semiconductor innovation platform.
Science Tokyo, ranked 84th in QS and 195th in THE World University Rankings, carries forward the legacy of Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) and Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU). Its collaboration with NCKU spans nearly three decades, beginning with an agreement in 1997. This latest visit consolidates that foundation and opens new pathways for future cooperation in medicine, semiconductors, and intelligent computing.
The NCKU delegation included President Meng-Ru Shen; Executive Vice President Shyy-Woei Chang; Vice President for International Affairs Sun-Yuan Hsieh; Vice President for General Affairs Jian-Hong Wu; Vice President for Sustainability Rwei-Ling Yu; Dean Hsiu-Chi Cheng, College of Medicine; Director Jenn-Jier James Lien, Smart Sports Center; Dean Yan-Kuin Su, AISSM; Associate Deans Yu-Lung Lo, Wei-Chou Hsu, and Ming-Chi Chou, AISSM; Professor Peng-Chan Lin, Director of Department of Oncology, NCKU Hospital; Director Yi-Shan Tsai, Center for Clinical Innovation and Research, NCKU Hospital; Dr. Ya-Ting Hsu, Department of Internal Medicine, NCKU Hospital; Dr. Kai-Lan Hsu, Department of Orthopedics, NCKU Hospital; Professors Jun Mizuno, Associate Professor Chi-Hua Yu, Assistant Professor Yu-Chen Liu, and Director Weili Teng, AISSM; Chief Executive Officer Cindy Su, Office of International Affairs; and President’s Secretary Ms. Tzu-Yi Huang. TSRI Deputy Director General Ying-Zong Juang and Project Manager Yuan-Da Hsieh also joined the visit.
Provider:
NCKU News Center
Date:
2025-09-09
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