NCKU Reaches New Heights in the 2026 THE Interdisciplinary Science Rankings: Top Place in Taiwan and 35th Globally
Written by Hsu Tsu-Yueh. Image credit to NCKU News Center.
On November 20, 2025, Times Higher Education (THE) and the international fellowship program “Schmidt Science Fellows” announced the 2026 Interdisciplinary Science Rankings. National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) placed 35th in the world and first in Taiwan. This outstanding achievement underscores NCKU’s strong foundation in promoting cross-college collaboration, integrating research capacity, and cultivating talent. It also demonstrates the university’s growing international recognition in interdisciplinary research.
NCKU gains international recognition in interdisciplinary research
According to NCKU’s Office of Research and Development, the university has actively advanced interdisciplinary research in recent years and integrated these research strengths into curriculum design to better connect teaching and research. This approach positions interdisciplinary development a central driver of the university’s growth.
1. Promoting interdisciplinary sustainability projects to cultivate on-campus research and learning capacity
Since 2023, NCKU has led universities in Taiwan by advancing three major interdisciplinary research initiatives: Sustainable Development, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Smart Health. These initiatives break down traditional disciplinary boundaries and foster campus-wide collaboration across multiple fields. In 2025, NCKU further launched the Sustainability Advancement Project (Frontier & Research Projects), focusing on critical issues such as energy transition and climate resilience. The project encourages faculty teams to engage in national-level projects and sustainability-related research, enabling academic work to support industry and society, address real-world challenges, and create long-term impact.
Teaching and research integration is a defining feature of NCKU’s institutional development. By strengthening faculty members’ interdisciplinary competencies, the university enhances students’ ability to learn across fields. Students not only build solid professional expertise but also develop interdisciplinary soft skills such as aesthetic literacy, humanistic awareness, empathy, and teamwork. These innovations help faculty and students bridge diverse domains of knowledge, enabling interdisciplinary development to take root at NCKU and cultivating well-rounded talent equipped to meet future challenges.
113-Year Anniversary Sustainable Trans-Domain Project Launch Meeting
2. Launching the AI Apex Project to build an international smart research hub
To further advance interdisciplinary research in the era of AI and Big Data, NCKU is strengthening its foundational infrastructure in databases, computing power, and intelligent applications. The university has launched several AI-related interdisciplinary programs, and in 2025, it launched the AI Apex Project to support faculty and students engaged in frontier research. Through campus-wide AI symposia and academic incentives programs, the project promotes interdisciplinary exchange and collaboration. These efforts enhance NCKU’s research capacity in smart technologies and ensure that the university continues to lead in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
NCKU is also expanding its global engagement. Through the International Cooperation Project for Academic Excellence, the university collaborates with international partners to deepen collaboration in key strategic areas. Programs such as the Yushan Fellow Program for young scholars, the NCKU 100 Years of Success, and the Career Development Grant for NCKU International Faculty bring world-class talent to NCKU. These initiatives deepen NCKU’s partnership with top global institutions and significantly elevate its international visibility.
114-Year Sustainable Leap Forward Plan Proposal Briefing
3. Building a strong foundation for the next century, from sustainability to humanistic practice
NCKU continues to integrate research strengths across colleges and transform academic achievements into key drivers of national development. In 2024, the university launched the Sustainable Humanities and Technology Campus Verification Project, establishing the campus as a critical tested site for emerging technology. To further strengthen the connection between research and society and to emphasize the value of humanities inquiry, NCKU also introduced the Humanities Innovation & Social Practice Program. These initiatives create practical platforms for interdisciplinary teamwork, positioning NCKU as a national academic engine and fostering a sustainable and resilient research ecosystem.
NCKU continues to place interdisciplinary innovation at the core of its institutional development
Moving Toward a Century of Excellence: Interdisciplinary Innovation Drives NCKU’s Growth
As the NCKU approaches its 99th anniversary, it will continue to place interdisciplinary innovation at the core of its development. Building on progress across its three major strategic areas, the university aims to advance toward its long-term vision by driving research breakthroughs, strengthening talent cultivation, and expanding international collaboration. Through these sustained efforts, NCKU continues its mission of leveraging science advancement to serve society and moves confidently toward becoming a century-strong university.
About the Interdisciplinary Science Rankings
The Interdisciplinary Science Rankings are jointly released by Times Higher Education (THE) and the Schmidt Science Fellows program. The rankings aim to encourage scientific excellence and cross-institution collaboration. They help universities assess and compare their performance in interdisciplinary research. This is the second edition of the rankings and includes 1,267 universities from 94 countries or regions, with 911 universities appearing on the final list. The ranking is based on 11 metrics across three core pillars: Inputs (such as research funding and resource allocation), Process (such as evaluation mechanisms, research facilities, administrative support, and promotion systems), and Outputs (such as publication performance, research quality, and academic reputation). These metrics provide a comprehensive assessment of each university’s performance.
Provider:
NCKU News Center
Date:
2025-12-10
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