SDG17
University of North Texas Delegation Visits National Cheng Kung University to Forge Engineering and Semiconductor Collaborations
Written by NCKU Office of Internation Affairs. Image credit to NCKU News Center
On April 7, 2026, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) welcomed a delegation from the University of North Texas (UNT). Led by Dr. Michael McPherson, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the delegation made its first visit to NCKU, accompanied by three team members. Senior representatives from both universities attended the meeting, where discussions focused on key areas including engineering, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, smart manufacturing, and systems integration. Both sides explored opportunities to further strengthen collaboration through dual degree programs, student exchanges, research partnerships, and industry–academia linkages, emphasizing a strategic approach and tangible outcomes. The meeting was conducted in a warm and productive atmosphere, successfully establishing a solid foundation for collaboration and fostering a shared vision for deeper institutional partnership.
During the meeting, Vice President of International Affairs, Chair Professor Sun-Yuan Hsieh, provided a comprehensive overview of NCKU’s history and overall academic capabilities. He highlighted that between 2022 and 2026, the two universities had co-authored 14 publications in fields including medicine, biochemistry, and computer science. He also noted the strong potential for future collaboration between the two institutions in the semiconductor and engineering sectors. In addition, he introduced NCKU’s international programs and the Semiconductor Summer School, as well as Taiwan’s initiatives for attracting top international talent, including the International Internship Pilot Program (IIPP) by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) and the Taiwan Experience Education Program (TEEP) by the Ministry of Education, encouraging UNT students to participate in exchange opportunities at NCKU.
Ms. Lauren Jacobsen-Bridges, Vice Provost for International Affairs at UNT, highlighted the geographical and industrial advantages of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, emphasizing its strong integration with high-tech industries. Dr. Paul Krueger, Dean of UNT’s College of Engineering, presented the college’s research strengths in applied artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and advanced manufacturing. He also introduced the newly established Semiconductor Manufacturing Engineering program and expressed interest in exploring initial collaborations with NCKU in these key areas.
NCKU invited the deans and associate deans from the College of Engineering, the College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), and the Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing (AISSM) to present the university’s scale and development in the aforementioned fields. Professor Chyan-Deng Jan, Dean of the College of Engineering emphasized that the two institutions have comparable engineering school scales, highlighting NCKU’s multidisciplinary coverage across civil, mechanical, chemical, and energy engineering, with cross-disciplinary international programs. The college enrolls over 7,000 students and promotes dual-degree programs with multiple international universities. Its teaching and research integrate practical and innovative approaches, with key focus areas including water resources, nanomaterials, and energy technologies. The college actively fosters international collaboration and professional internships, cultivating engineering talent with a global perspective.
Professor S. Felix Wu, Dean of the College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, emphasized the school’s diverse research areas and shared collaborations with international organizations such as the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and NVIDIA. He highlighted the college’s cutting-edge research and applications in AI, semiconductors, and cybersecurity, dedicated to training the next generation of engineers and AI professionals.
Professor Ming-Chi Mitch Chou, Associate Dean of AISSM outlined Taiwan’s leadership in semiconductors and high-performance computing, emphasizing NCKU’s surrounding smart science parks as well as AI, robotics, and supercomputing research centers. He highlighted that since AISSM’s establishment in 2021, the academy has offered 5 programs, including integrated circuit design, semiconductor manufacturing, and AI chip development. Through collaborations with international research institutions and industry partners, students gain hands-on experience and international exposure, demonstrating the academy’s comprehensive strengths in AI and semiconductor education and research.
During the discussion, Executive Vice President Shyy-Woei Chang introduced NCKU’s upcoming Global Research Interaction Program (GRIP) and expressed hope that the two institutions could expand collaboration through jointly funded research projects. Both sides noted that they complement each other well in areas such as engineering, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, smart manufacturing, and systems integration. They also discussed opportunities to deepen cooperation through dual-degree programs, student exchanges, joint research, and industry–academia partnerships. Both universities agreed that future collaborations should be strategic and results-oriented, with the goal of building a long-term and impactful partnership. The meeting concluded in a warm and positive atmosphere, marking a promising new chapter in collaboration between the two institutions.
Delegation from the University of North Texas (UNT) includes Dr. Michael McPherson, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs; Ms. Lauren Jacobsen-Bridges, Vice Provost for International Affairs; Dr. Paul Krueger, Dean of the College of Engineering; Dr. Amanda Bennett, Director of Global Partnerships and Engagement.
Representatives from National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) includes Executive Vice President Shyy-Woei Chang; Vice President for International Affairs Sun-Yuan Hsieh; Distinguished Professor Chyan-Deng Jan, Dean, College of Engineering; Professor S. Felix Wu, Dean, College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; Distinguished Professor Wei-Chou Hsu, Dean, Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing (AISSM); Chair Prof. Ming-Chi Mitch Chou, Associate Dean, Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing (AISSM); Professor Tsung-Lin Liu, Director, International Relations Division, Office of International Affairs (OIA); Ms. Maxine Yang, Executive Manager, International Relations Division, OIA; Ms. Sophie Cheng, Manager, International Relations Division, OIA
Provider: NCKU News Center
Date: 2026-04-10
On April 7, 2026, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) welcomed a delegation from the University of North Texas (UNT). Led by Dr. Michael McPherson, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the delegation made its first visit to NCKU, accompanied by three team members. Senior representatives from both universities attended the meeting, where discussions focused on key areas including engineering, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, smart manufacturing, and systems integration. Both sides explored opportunities to further strengthen collaboration through dual degree programs, student exchanges, research partnerships, and industry–academia linkages, emphasizing a strategic approach and tangible outcomes. The meeting was conducted in a warm and productive atmosphere, successfully establishing a solid foundation for collaboration and fostering a shared vision for deeper institutional partnership.
During the meeting, Vice President of International Affairs, Chair Professor Sun-Yuan Hsieh, provided a comprehensive overview of NCKU’s history and overall academic capabilities. He highlighted that between 2022 and 2026, the two universities had co-authored 14 publications in fields including medicine, biochemistry, and computer science. He also noted the strong potential for future collaboration between the two institutions in the semiconductor and engineering sectors. In addition, he introduced NCKU’s international programs and the Semiconductor Summer School, as well as Taiwan’s initiatives for attracting top international talent, including the International Internship Pilot Program (IIPP) by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) and the Taiwan Experience Education Program (TEEP) by the Ministry of Education, encouraging UNT students to participate in exchange opportunities at NCKU.
Ms. Lauren Jacobsen-Bridges, Vice Provost for International Affairs at UNT, highlighted the geographical and industrial advantages of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, emphasizing its strong integration with high-tech industries. Dr. Paul Krueger, Dean of UNT’s College of Engineering, presented the college’s research strengths in applied artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and advanced manufacturing. He also introduced the newly established Semiconductor Manufacturing Engineering program and expressed interest in exploring initial collaborations with NCKU in these key areas.
NCKU invited the deans and associate deans from the College of Engineering, the College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), and the Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing (AISSM) to present the university’s scale and development in the aforementioned fields. Professor Chyan-Deng Jan, Dean of the College of Engineering emphasized that the two institutions have comparable engineering school scales, highlighting NCKU’s multidisciplinary coverage across civil, mechanical, chemical, and energy engineering, with cross-disciplinary international programs. The college enrolls over 7,000 students and promotes dual-degree programs with multiple international universities. Its teaching and research integrate practical and innovative approaches, with key focus areas including water resources, nanomaterials, and energy technologies. The college actively fosters international collaboration and professional internships, cultivating engineering talent with a global perspective.
Professor S. Felix Wu, Dean of the College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, emphasized the school’s diverse research areas and shared collaborations with international organizations such as the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and NVIDIA. He highlighted the college’s cutting-edge research and applications in AI, semiconductors, and cybersecurity, dedicated to training the next generation of engineers and AI professionals.
Professor Ming-Chi Mitch Chou, Associate Dean of AISSM outlined Taiwan’s leadership in semiconductors and high-performance computing, emphasizing NCKU’s surrounding smart science parks as well as AI, robotics, and supercomputing research centers. He highlighted that since AISSM’s establishment in 2021, the academy has offered 5 programs, including integrated circuit design, semiconductor manufacturing, and AI chip development. Through collaborations with international research institutions and industry partners, students gain hands-on experience and international exposure, demonstrating the academy’s comprehensive strengths in AI and semiconductor education and research.
During the discussion, Executive Vice President Shyy-Woei Chang introduced NCKU’s upcoming Global Research Interaction Program (GRIP) and expressed hope that the two institutions could expand collaboration through jointly funded research projects. Both sides noted that they complement each other well in areas such as engineering, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, smart manufacturing, and systems integration. They also discussed opportunities to deepen cooperation through dual-degree programs, student exchanges, joint research, and industry–academia partnerships. Both universities agreed that future collaborations should be strategic and results-oriented, with the goal of building a long-term and impactful partnership. The meeting concluded in a warm and positive atmosphere, marking a promising new chapter in collaboration between the two institutions.
Delegation from the University of North Texas (UNT) includes Dr. Michael McPherson, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs; Ms. Lauren Jacobsen-Bridges, Vice Provost for International Affairs; Dr. Paul Krueger, Dean of the College of Engineering; Dr. Amanda Bennett, Director of Global Partnerships and Engagement.
Representatives from National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) includes Executive Vice President Shyy-Woei Chang; Vice President for International Affairs Sun-Yuan Hsieh; Distinguished Professor Chyan-Deng Jan, Dean, College of Engineering; Professor S. Felix Wu, Dean, College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; Distinguished Professor Wei-Chou Hsu, Dean, Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing (AISSM); Chair Prof. Ming-Chi Mitch Chou, Associate Dean, Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing (AISSM); Professor Tsung-Lin Liu, Director, International Relations Division, Office of International Affairs (OIA); Ms. Maxine Yang, Executive Manager, International Relations Division, OIA; Ms. Sophie Cheng, Manager, International Relations Division, OIA
Provider: NCKU News Center
Date: 2026-04-10
Executive Vice President Shyy-Woei Chang (right) of NCKU presented a gift to Dr. Michael McPherson (left), Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of North Texas.
Representatives from both institutions met and exchanged ideas in a warm and lively atmosphere.
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