On August 17, 2026, a distinguished delegation of six faculty members from the Biomedical Engineering Institute at Chiang Mai University (CMU), Thailand, led by Associate Professor Dr. Winita Punyodom (Vice President for Research Affairs and Acting Director of the Biomedical Engineering Institute), visited the Department of Biomedical Engineering and the International Institute of Medical Device Innovation at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU).

The visit marked a significant milestone in fostering international academic and research cooperation between the two premier institutions, with a core focus on matching joint research initiatives, dual-degree student supervision, and curriculum development.

High-Level Discussions and Academic Presentations

The day commenced with a warm welcome and courtesy meeting hosted by Prof. Dr. Han-Sheng Chuang, Head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at NCKU, alongside the NCKU management team. Both delegations engaged in fruitful discussions concerning prospective academic programs, innovation frameworks, and future collaborative initiatives.

Following the meeting, both institutions presented their respective graduate programs in biomedical engineering, delivered by Assistant Professor Dr. Pathinan Paengnakorn (CMU) and Prof. Dr. Han-Sheng Chuang (NCKU), laying the groundwork for student exchanges and joint educational opportunities.

Research Collaboration Seminar and Networking Session

A highlight of the visit was the afternoon Research Collaboration Seminar, featuring lightning presentations by the visiting CMU delegation across cutting-edge biomedical engineering domains:

• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Winita Punyodom – Biomaterials and Medical Devices (Polymer science, biodegradable polymers, bioplastics, and catalysts)

• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sarawut Kumphune – Protein/Peptide-Based Nanotherapeutics (Cardiovascular, nanomedicine, protein immobilization, and extracellular vesicles)

• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chawan Manaspon – Smart Biomaterials for Drug Delivery and Regenerative Medicine (Cell and tissue engineering and medical device regulations)

• Asst. Prof. Dr. Pathinan Paengnakorn – Chemical and Biosensors (Point-of-care testing and microfluidic paper-based analytical devices)

• Dr. Phornsawat Baipaywad – Nanomedicine and Environmental Microsystems (Organ-on-chip, multi-organ chips, and mechanobiology)

• Dr. Thatchayut Unjitwattana – AI and Bioinformatics (Computational medicine, multi-omics data analysis, and algorithm development)

The presentations were followed by an interactive networking and discussion session, enabling NCKU and CMU researchers to pinpoint precise avenues for joint grant proposals and student co-advising.

Facility Tour and Future Outlook

To conclude the official program, the CMU delegation toured NCKU’s state-of-the-art Medical Device Innovation Center (MDIC), gaining firsthand insight into Taiwan’s advanced med-tech prototyping and research infrastructure.

This visit successfully deepens the strategic partnership between NCKU and Chiang Mai University, paving the way for impactful cross-border innovations and robust talent cultivation in biomedical engineering.