SDG17
Polish Delegation from Łódź Visits National Cheng Kung University to Strengthen Academic and Bilateral Industrial Ties
On February 26, 2025, a delegation from the City of Łódź, Poland, led by Deputy Mayor Mr. Adam Pustelnik, visited National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) in Taiwan. This visit aims to actively explore the possibilities of academic cooperation and future exchange programs between university institutions in the cities of Łódź and Tainan, leveraging the strong partnership between the two cities. The goal is to expand practical collaborative projects in higher education between Poland and Taiwan, and to deepen the cultural and academic interactions between the two countries.
The Łódź delegation included Mr. Adam Pustelnik, Deputy Mayor of Łódź, Mr. Bartosz Domaszewicz, Head of City Council, Mr. Mateusz Sipa, Director of the Business Development and International Relations Bureau, and Mr. Tomasz Langner, International Cooperation Division Manager.
Representing NCKU included Chair Prof. Woei-Jer Chuang, Executive Vice President, Chair Prof. Sun-Yuan Hsieh, Vice President for International Affairs, Prof. Liang-Ming Whang, Director General of Innovation Headquarters, Dr. Ming-Chin Hou, Chief of Office of General Affairs, Innovation Headquarters, Ms. Ya-Tsui Ellen Hsueh, Deputy Director, International Relations Division, and Ms. Sophie Cheng, Manager, International Relations Division.
During the meeting, Executive Vice President Woei-Jer Chuang emphasized the crucial role universities play in industrial development. He pointed out that a city's industrial success is not solely dependent on the presence of science parks but also on strong university-industry collaboration. He highlighted NCKU’s extensive engagement with industries, where the university provides advanced research and technological insights while companies offer internship and employment opportunities to students, creating a mutually beneficial ecosystem.
Deputy Mayor Adam Pustelnik shared the advantages of Łódź, Poland, in the fields of medicine, biotechnology, life sciences, and engineering. He also mentioned that an increasing number of foreign enterprises have chosen to establish a presence in Łódź, such as Chimei Foods from Taiwan, which has already set up a production line in the city. He also emphasized the strategic geographic advantages of Poland, especially with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) recently setting up a plant in Dresden, Germany, which is in close proximity to Poland and the Czech Republic. He expressed optimism about the future of Taiwan-Poland economic and technological collaboration. Additionally, he highlighted Łódź’s joint academic programs with Germany and Scandinavian countries and extended an invitation for Taiwan to join these collaborative research efforts. He expressed particular interest in the areas that NCKU is keen on exploring with the city of Łódź, in order to further promote bilateral cooperation in academia and industry.
Executive Vice President Chuang also introduced NCKU’s Innovation Headquarters, emphasizing the university’s impressive technology transfer rate. In 2024, NCKU recorded an 18% patent licensing rate, which greatly impressed Deputy Mayor Pustelnik. Furthermore, he highlighted that more than 60% of professors at NCKU engage in active collaboration with industry partners and obtain funding support, emphasizing the university's robust connections with the industrial sector. Drawing from his personal experience in technology transfer, Chair Prof. Chuang mentioned his extensive network with Japanese enterprises and expressed enthusiasm in promoting a Taiwan-Japan-Poland innovation alliance.
Finally, Vice President for International Affairs, Chair Prof. Sun-Yuan Hsieh, gave an introduction to National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) for the Polish Delegation from Łódź. He elaborated on the university’s commitment to student exchange programs, stating that NCKU is highly interested in enhancing partnerships with Polish universities. Given NCKU’s previous collaborations with several Polish institutions, he expressed the university’s strong willingness to continue and expand student mobility initiatives.
About Łódź, Poland
Łódź is the third-largest city in Poland and a major center for industry, education, and culture. Known for its rich history in textile manufacturing, the city has transformed into a hub for creative industries, technology, and higher education. Home to several prestigious universities, including the Medical University of Łódź, University of Łódź, and the Łódź University of Technology, the city boasts a vibrant academic environment. Its strategic location in central Poland makes it an attractive destination for businesses and international collaborations. The city’s revitalization efforts, including modern infrastructure projects and cultural initiatives, have further enhanced its global appeal.
The Łódź delegation included Mr. Adam Pustelnik, Deputy Mayor of Łódź, Mr. Bartosz Domaszewicz, Head of City Council, Mr. Mateusz Sipa, Director of the Business Development and International Relations Bureau, and Mr. Tomasz Langner, International Cooperation Division Manager.
Representing NCKU included Chair Prof. Woei-Jer Chuang, Executive Vice President, Chair Prof. Sun-Yuan Hsieh, Vice President for International Affairs, Prof. Liang-Ming Whang, Director General of Innovation Headquarters, Dr. Ming-Chin Hou, Chief of Office of General Affairs, Innovation Headquarters, Ms. Ya-Tsui Ellen Hsueh, Deputy Director, International Relations Division, and Ms. Sophie Cheng, Manager, International Relations Division.
During the meeting, Executive Vice President Woei-Jer Chuang emphasized the crucial role universities play in industrial development. He pointed out that a city's industrial success is not solely dependent on the presence of science parks but also on strong university-industry collaboration. He highlighted NCKU’s extensive engagement with industries, where the university provides advanced research and technological insights while companies offer internship and employment opportunities to students, creating a mutually beneficial ecosystem.
Deputy Mayor Adam Pustelnik shared the advantages of Łódź, Poland, in the fields of medicine, biotechnology, life sciences, and engineering. He also mentioned that an increasing number of foreign enterprises have chosen to establish a presence in Łódź, such as Chimei Foods from Taiwan, which has already set up a production line in the city. He also emphasized the strategic geographic advantages of Poland, especially with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) recently setting up a plant in Dresden, Germany, which is in close proximity to Poland and the Czech Republic. He expressed optimism about the future of Taiwan-Poland economic and technological collaboration. Additionally, he highlighted Łódź’s joint academic programs with Germany and Scandinavian countries and extended an invitation for Taiwan to join these collaborative research efforts. He expressed particular interest in the areas that NCKU is keen on exploring with the city of Łódź, in order to further promote bilateral cooperation in academia and industry.
Executive Vice President Chuang also introduced NCKU’s Innovation Headquarters, emphasizing the university’s impressive technology transfer rate. In 2024, NCKU recorded an 18% patent licensing rate, which greatly impressed Deputy Mayor Pustelnik. Furthermore, he highlighted that more than 60% of professors at NCKU engage in active collaboration with industry partners and obtain funding support, emphasizing the university's robust connections with the industrial sector. Drawing from his personal experience in technology transfer, Chair Prof. Chuang mentioned his extensive network with Japanese enterprises and expressed enthusiasm in promoting a Taiwan-Japan-Poland innovation alliance.
Finally, Vice President for International Affairs, Chair Prof. Sun-Yuan Hsieh, gave an introduction to National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) for the Polish Delegation from Łódź. He elaborated on the university’s commitment to student exchange programs, stating that NCKU is highly interested in enhancing partnerships with Polish universities. Given NCKU’s previous collaborations with several Polish institutions, he expressed the university’s strong willingness to continue and expand student mobility initiatives.
About Łódź, Poland
Łódź is the third-largest city in Poland and a major center for industry, education, and culture. Known for its rich history in textile manufacturing, the city has transformed into a hub for creative industries, technology, and higher education. Home to several prestigious universities, including the Medical University of Łódź, University of Łódź, and the Łódź University of Technology, the city boasts a vibrant academic environment. Its strategic location in central Poland makes it an attractive destination for businesses and international collaborations. The city’s revitalization efforts, including modern infrastructure projects and cultural initiatives, have further enhanced its global appeal.
Group photo of the Polish delegation from Łódź and NCKU representatives.Front row (left to right): Mr. Adam Pustelnik, Mr. Bartosz Domaszewicz, Executive Vice President Prof. Woei-Jer Chuang, Vice President for International Affairs Prof. Sun-Yuan Hsieh.Back row (left to right): Mr. Tomasz Langner, Mr. Mateusz Sipa; Prof. Liang-Ming Whang, Director of Innovation Headquarters; Prof. Ming-Chin Hou, Deputy Director of Innovation Headquarters
Executive Vice President Prof. Woei-Jer Chuang (right) discussing NCKU’s successful technology transfer experiences with Deputy Mayor of Łódź, Mr. Adam Pustelnik
