Written & Image credit to NCKU News Center.
Once again, the 2026 Taiwan Best Universities Ranking released by Global Views Monthly has placed National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) second nationwide; the university achieved the highest rankings in both Internationalization and University-Industry Collaboration Performance, demonstrating excellence across research, education, global engagement, and innovation. Furthermore, according to the survey and peer evaluations by university leaders, NCKU ranks No. 2 in Overall Competitiveness and No. 1 nationwide in Engineering, Manufacturing, and Construction, underscoring its leadership among Taiwan’s research universities.
Once again, the 2026 Taiwan Best Universities Ranking released by Global Views Monthly has placed National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) second nationwide; the university achieved the highest rankings in both Internationalization and University-Industry Collaboration Performance, demonstrating excellence across research, education, global engagement, and innovation. Furthermore, according to the survey and peer evaluations by university leaders, NCKU ranks No. 2 in Overall Competitiveness and No. 1 nationwide in Engineering, Manufacturing, and Construction, underscoring its leadership among Taiwan’s research universities.
According to the survey and peer evaluations by university leaders, NCKU ranks No. 2（Source: Global Views Monthly）No. 1 in Internationalization: Expanding Global Partnerships and Talent Development
NCKU continues to strengthen its global presence through bilingual education, strategic international partnerships, talent cultivation, and collaborative research initiatives. President Meng-Ru Shen, since assuming office, has actively expanded the university’s international network by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, launching joint research programs with leading universities worldwide, and promoting faculty and student exchanges that enhance NCKU’s international visibility and academic influence.
In 2026, NCKU will establish an overseas base at the Institute of Science Tokyo, creating the NCKU Global Collaborative Research Cluster (CRC) to advance academic-industry partnerships. The university is also currently in the way of launching a joint research and dual-degree collaboration with Université Grenoble Alpes in France, along with new initiatives including the Global Research Initiative Partnership (GRIP) and the CiC Alliance Seed Grant Program. These efforts further expand NCKU’s international research ecosystem while supporting faculty development, cultivating globally competitive talent, and building a sustainable network of international academic collaboration.
Professor Alain Buisson (left 1), Deputy Director of the Grenoble Institute of Neuroscience, introduces the equipment and laboratories to President Meng-Ru Shen (center) and Vice President Shyy-Woei Chang (right 1).Leading Taiwan in University-Industry Collaboration
NCKU has long integrated cutting-edge research with industrial innovation; it focuses on national strategic priorities such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, smart manufacturing, smart healthcare, cybersecurity, climate resilience, energy transition, and technological self-reliance. The university, through close collaboration with industry, has generated significant achievements in technology transfer, intellectual property, and commercialization.
According to Taiwan’s Intellectual Property Office, NCKU filed 134 invention patent applications in 2025 (ROC Year 114), ranking it first among all Taiwanese universities for the fourth consecutive year. This accomplishment reflects the university’s sustained excellence in intellectual property management and research commercialization.
NCKU demonstrates strong R&D capacity, ranking first among universities in domestic invention patent applications for four consecutive years.Recognized by Higher Education Leaders
In the peer assessment conducted among 394 university presidents and senior administrators, NCKU ranked second nationwide in Overall Competitiveness, while earning the top position in Engineering, Manufacturing, and Construction, highlighting the university’s longstanding leadership in engineering research, talent cultivation, and industry collaboration.
Supported by a strong engineering foundation, extensive partnerships with industry, and outstanding employer reputation, NCKU remains Taiwan’s leading engineering university. Since its establishment, the university has consistently aligned its development with Taiwan’s major national initiatives—from founding National Cheng Kung University Hospital to advancing new healthcare infrastructure such as the Elderly Hospital and the Shalun Hospital—demonstrating its commitment to integrating medicine, technology, and social responsibility.
In the peer assessment conducted among 394 university presidents and senior administrators, NCKU ranked second nationwide in Overall Competitiveness, while earning the top position in Engineering, Manufacturing, and Construction, highlighting the university’s longstanding leadership in engineering research, talent cultivation, and industry collaboration.
Supported by a strong engineering foundation, extensive partnerships with industry, and outstanding employer reputation, NCKU remains Taiwan’s leading engineering university. Since its establishment, the university has consistently aligned its development with Taiwan’s major national initiatives—from founding National Cheng Kung University Hospital to advancing new healthcare infrastructure such as the Elderly Hospital and the Shalun Hospital—demonstrating its commitment to integrating medicine, technology, and social responsibility.
NCKU will continue to strengthen interdisciplinary research, expand global partnerships, and deepen its commitment to social responsibility while enhancing its worldwide academic influence.
Advancing a World-Class Research University with Global Impact
According to Global Views Monthly, NCKU continues to demonstrate balanced excellence across all evaluation dimensions. The university not only remains the highest-ranked institution in southern Taiwan but also leads the nation in internationalization, university-industry collaboration, and engineering education, making it a key driver of Taiwan’s higher education and industrial innovation.
Facing global challenges, including artificial intelligence, net-zero transformation, and international competition for talent, NCKU will continue to strengthen interdisciplinary research, expand global partnerships, and deepen its commitment to social responsibility while enhancing its worldwide academic influence.
President Meng-Ru Shen emphasized that the value of a university extends far beyond rankings. “Our mission is to cultivate globally competitive talent, generate impactful knowledge, respond to societal needs, and work alongside the international community to address critical challenges such as artificial intelligence, net-zero sustainability, and health and well-being,” he said.
President Shen added that the recognition from Global Views Monthly reflects the collective efforts of NCKU’s faculty, students, alumni, and partners worldwide. Looking ahead, the university will continue expanding its global engagement, promoting interdisciplinary innovation and university-industry collaboration, and fulfilling its social responsibilities as it advances toward becoming a research university with worldwide impact.
Now in its 11th edition, the Global Views Monthly Taiwan Best Universities Ranking has expanded from 22 evaluation indicators in 2016 to 77 indicators in 2026, covering six major dimensions: Reputation, Academic Achievement, Teaching Resources, Internationalization, University-Industry Collaboration Performance, and Financial Sustainability.
In addition to ranking No. 1 among universities in southern Taiwan, NCKU secured the nation’s top position in Internationalization and University-Industry Collaboration Performance, while placing second in Overall Competitiveness and first in Engineering, Manufacturing, and Construction, reaffirming its role as one of Taiwan’s leading research universities with growing global influence.
According to Global Views Monthly, NCKU continues to demonstrate balanced excellence across all evaluation dimensions. The university not only remains the highest-ranked institution in southern Taiwan but also leads the nation in internationalization, university-industry collaboration, and engineering education, making it a key driver of Taiwan’s higher education and industrial innovation.
Facing global challenges, including artificial intelligence, net-zero transformation, and international competition for talent, NCKU will continue to strengthen interdisciplinary research, expand global partnerships, and deepen its commitment to social responsibility while enhancing its worldwide academic influence.
President Meng-Ru Shen emphasized that the value of a university extends far beyond rankings. “Our mission is to cultivate globally competitive talent, generate impactful knowledge, respond to societal needs, and work alongside the international community to address critical challenges such as artificial intelligence, net-zero sustainability, and health and well-being,” he said.
President Shen added that the recognition from Global Views Monthly reflects the collective efforts of NCKU’s faculty, students, alumni, and partners worldwide. Looking ahead, the university will continue expanding its global engagement, promoting interdisciplinary innovation and university-industry collaboration, and fulfilling its social responsibilities as it advances toward becoming a research university with worldwide impact.
Now in its 11th edition, the Global Views Monthly Taiwan Best Universities Ranking has expanded from 22 evaluation indicators in 2016 to 77 indicators in 2026, covering six major dimensions: Reputation, Academic Achievement, Teaching Resources, Internationalization, University-Industry Collaboration Performance, and Financial Sustainability.
In addition to ranking No. 1 among universities in southern Taiwan, NCKU secured the nation’s top position in Internationalization and University-Industry Collaboration Performance, while placing second in Overall Competitiveness and first in Engineering, Manufacturing, and Construction, reaffirming its role as one of Taiwan’s leading research universities with growing global influence.
Provider: NCKU News Center
Date: 2026-07-07
Date: 2026-07-07
