SDG17
TU Darmstadt Visits NCKU to Strengthen Longstanding Partnership and Explore New Research Opportunities
On February 19, 2025, a delegation from Technische Universität Darmstadt (TU Darmstadt), led by Vice President Prof. Thomas Walther, visited National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) to discuss ways to deepen academic collaboration, joint research, and industry-academia talent development. This visit also marks an important milestone as the two universities approach the 50th anniversary of their partnership, established in 1976.
The TU Darmstadt delegation included Prof. Thomas Walther, Vice President for Innovation and International Affairs; Julia Fitzthum, Deputy Head of International Relations; Prof. Jörg Schneider from the Department of Chemistry; and Prof. Maria Eugenia Toimil-Molares from the Department of Materials and Earth Sciences.
Representing NCKU were Prof. Sun-Yuan Hsieh, Vice President for International Affairs; Prof. Chin-Chun Tsai, Dean of the College of Science; Prof. Yu-Lung Lo, Vice Dean of the College of Engineering; Prof. Kuo-Hsing Kao from the Department of Electrical Engineering; Ellen Hsueh, Deputy Director of the International Relations Division; and International Relations Manager Jasmine Li and Sophie Cheng.
During the meeting, Prof. Sun-Yuan Hsieh highlighted the outstanding academic performance of both universities in engineering and science. He proposed the establishment of a seed fund to support joint research projects. He also mentioned Prof. Kuo-Hsing Kao’s active role in planning NCKU’s "Industry-Academia Chain Project," which has already attracted multiple international partner institutions. Under this initiative, international students studying at NCKU will have the opportunity to apply for a 2-3 month internship at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), potentially leading to employment opportunities in Taiwan after graduation.
Prof. Thomas Walther expressed his appreciation for the growing number of student exchanges between TU Darmstadt and NCKU. He noted that the establishment of the NCKU Overseas Office in 2019 has significantly enhanced collaboration and student mobility. He thanked NCKU for its support of this office and expressed his hope for further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
In addition, Prof. Chin-Chun Tsai and Prof. Yu-Lung Lo provided an overview of the College of Science and the College of Engineering, respectively, emphasizing the strong alignment between the two institutions and the potential for future collaboration. Following the meeting, the delegation visited the laboratory of Prof. Jeng-Shiung Jan from the Department of Chemical Engineering.
On February 20, NCKU arranged a series of laboratory visits, offering the TU Darmstadt delegation a closer look at its advanced research facilities. The visitors toured the International Joint Laboratory led by Prof. Jen-Su Chen from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, the laboratory of Prof. Wei-Chen Tu, Director of the Institute of Microelectronics, and the laboratory of Associate Prof. Sheng-Heng Chung from the Department of Material Science Engineering. The visit concluded on a high note, reinforcing the strong partnership between the two institutions.
About Technische Universität Darmstadt (TU Darmstadt)
Founded in 1877, TU Darmstadt is one of Germany’s leading technical universities. It specializes in engineering, natural sciences, information technology, and materials science. As a member of the TU9 alliance of Germany’s top technical universities, TU Darmstadt enjoys global recognition and maintains close collaborations with many of the world's top academic institutions.
The TU Darmstadt delegation included Prof. Thomas Walther, Vice President for Innovation and International Affairs; Julia Fitzthum, Deputy Head of International Relations; Prof. Jörg Schneider from the Department of Chemistry; and Prof. Maria Eugenia Toimil-Molares from the Department of Materials and Earth Sciences.
Representing NCKU were Prof. Sun-Yuan Hsieh, Vice President for International Affairs; Prof. Chin-Chun Tsai, Dean of the College of Science; Prof. Yu-Lung Lo, Vice Dean of the College of Engineering; Prof. Kuo-Hsing Kao from the Department of Electrical Engineering; Ellen Hsueh, Deputy Director of the International Relations Division; and International Relations Manager Jasmine Li and Sophie Cheng.
During the meeting, Prof. Sun-Yuan Hsieh highlighted the outstanding academic performance of both universities in engineering and science. He proposed the establishment of a seed fund to support joint research projects. He also mentioned Prof. Kuo-Hsing Kao’s active role in planning NCKU’s "Industry-Academia Chain Project," which has already attracted multiple international partner institutions. Under this initiative, international students studying at NCKU will have the opportunity to apply for a 2-3 month internship at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), potentially leading to employment opportunities in Taiwan after graduation.
Prof. Thomas Walther expressed his appreciation for the growing number of student exchanges between TU Darmstadt and NCKU. He noted that the establishment of the NCKU Overseas Office in 2019 has significantly enhanced collaboration and student mobility. He thanked NCKU for its support of this office and expressed his hope for further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
In addition, Prof. Chin-Chun Tsai and Prof. Yu-Lung Lo provided an overview of the College of Science and the College of Engineering, respectively, emphasizing the strong alignment between the two institutions and the potential for future collaboration. Following the meeting, the delegation visited the laboratory of Prof. Jeng-Shiung Jan from the Department of Chemical Engineering.
On February 20, NCKU arranged a series of laboratory visits, offering the TU Darmstadt delegation a closer look at its advanced research facilities. The visitors toured the International Joint Laboratory led by Prof. Jen-Su Chen from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, the laboratory of Prof. Wei-Chen Tu, Director of the Institute of Microelectronics, and the laboratory of Associate Prof. Sheng-Heng Chung from the Department of Material Science Engineering. The visit concluded on a high note, reinforcing the strong partnership between the two institutions.
About Technische Universität Darmstadt (TU Darmstadt)
Founded in 1877, TU Darmstadt is one of Germany’s leading technical universities. It specializes in engineering, natural sciences, information technology, and materials science. As a member of the TU9 alliance of Germany’s top technical universities, TU Darmstadt enjoys global recognition and maintains close collaborations with many of the world's top academic institutions.
Group Photo of Representatives from NCKU and TUD. From left to right: Prof. Maria Eugenia Toimil-Molares, Prof. Jörg Schneider, Ms. Julia Fitzthum, Prof. Thomas Walther, Chair Prof. Sun-Yuan Hsieh, Prof. Chin-Chun Tsai, Prof. Yu-Lung Lo, Prof. Kuo-Hsing Kao
Prof. Jen-Su Chen (center) leading the laboratory team in welcoming TU Darmstadt delegation
Chair Prof. Sun-Yuan Hsieh delivering a speech to welcome the TU Darmstadt delegation
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