From March 29th to April 10th, National Cheng Kung University hosted a visiting delegation from the King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL). Led by Prof. Somyot Kaitwanidvilai, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, the group included 39 participants in total, with 12 faculty members and 27 undergraduate students arriving to discuss faculty exchange and joint research opportunities.

Bridging Biomedical Innovation and Semiconductor Excellence

The visit highlighted the multidisciplinary strengths of NCKU through targeted academic exchanges. At the Department of Biomedical Engineering, the program featured faculty dialogues and laboratory tours. To provide a peer perspective, international students currently enrolled in the department shared their firsthand experiences of academic life in Taiwan.

The delegation was also welcomed by Prof. Sherry Shu-Jung Hu, the Associate VP for International Affairs at the Office of International Affairs. The group visited the College of Medicine to experience cutting-edge Anatomy VR facilities, which showcase the digital transformation of medical education at NCKU.

Additionally, a significant milestone was reached at the Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing with the signing of a 3+2 Dual Degree MOU. This agreement establishes a concrete pathway for talent cultivation between Thailand and Taiwan.

Technical Immersion and Research Infrastructure

A key highlight involved technical immersion at the NCKU Core Facility Center, where students engaged with world-class research infrastructure. Within the Micro and Nano Technology Division, students received an overview of semiconductor process technology and utilized an interactive VR learning platform for specialized equipment.

Furthermore, the Instruments Division offered an exploration of high-end analytical capabilities through guided tours of the laboratories. These sessions provided insights into advanced characterization tools used in global research. The group also visited the Medical Device Innovation Center and the Bioimaging Core to understand the latest developments in medical device prototyping and advanced imaging platforms.

Industrial Integration and Practical Application

To bridge academia and industry, the itinerary included visits to key organizations in Luzhu Science Park. The delegation toured the Metal Industries Research and Development Centre to observe leadership in advanced metal processing. They also visited United Orthopedic Corporation to gain a professional perspective on the design and production of world-class orthopedic implants.

Tangible Results and Future Outlook

The impact of this exchange is already evident in the immediate academic cooperation following the visit. This year, a total of 18 KMITL undergraduate and graduate students will participate in internships at NCKU and are interested in 3+2 Dual Program in the future. Under the joint supervision of faculty from both institutions, these internships will provide students with invaluable hands-on experience while significantly boosting the research and development synergy between the two universities.

This visit has laid a robust foundation for a sustainable partnership. By integrating engineering, medicine, and semiconductor manufacturing, NCKU and KMITL are committed to shaping the next generation of global engineering leaders through continuous cross-border innovation.