Written by NCKU Office of Internation Affairs. Image credit to NCKU News Center.
Group photo of the UTS delegation and the NCKU delegation.
On November 13, 2024, a delegation led by Prof. Iain Watt, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), visited National Cheng Kung University (NCKU). The UTS delegation included Prof. Eryk Dutkiewicz, Associate Dean (International), Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology; Dr. Yu-Kai Wang, Senior Lecturer, School of Computer Science; along with Shawn Yang, Officer, Dept. of International and Cross-strait Education, Ministry of Education. The primary purpose of the visit was to sign a dual PhD agreement with the College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at NCKU and to discuss future collaboration opportunities. The meeting was hosted by Dr. Woei-Jer Chuang, Executive Vice President of NCKU, and attended by representatives from the Office of International Affairs, College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer Science, Department of Electrical Engineering, Institute of Medical Informatics, and Institute of Manufacturing Information and Systems.
Executive Vice President Chuang highlighted that the two universities have co-authored 46 papers over the past five years, demonstrating a solid foundation for long-term research collaboration. Since signing a memorandum of understanding in September 2023, both institutions have been engaged in more substantial exchanges, and the dual PhD agreement marks an important milestone.
Dr. Woei-Jer Chuang, Executive Vice President of NCKU delivered Guantian Black Gold Soap and Aroma Stone Giftbox to Deputy Vice-Chancellor Iain Watt at UTS.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Iain Watt noted that UTS has achieved significant research outcomes in sustainable energy and health sciences, expressing optimism for increased collaboration between both universities in these areas and beyond. Prof. S. Felix Wu, Dean of NCKU’s College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, conveyed his honor in signing the agreement. He also expressed enthusiasm about visiting Australia and participating in academic conferences, anticipating greater exchanges through this collaboration.
Following the signing ceremony, briefings were given by NCKU's Department of Electrical Engineering and the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering. Prof. Chin-Lung Yang, Associate Chair of the Department of Electrical Engineering, discussed highlights from the 2024 NCKU-UTS International Workshop that took place in June 2024, which was considered a success; Prof. Yang also mentioned that a student of Assoc. Prof. Chia-Hsiang Lin, Director of the International Relations Division, Office of International Affairs, is currently visiting the University of Technology Sydney. It proves that these interactions are truly contributing to an expanded international outlook for the students at both institutions. Prof. Shyh-Hau Wang, Chair of the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering emphasized the department’s long-standing commitment to international cooperation, noting that this dual PhD collaboration with UTS marks another significant achievement in global partnerships for both institutions.
Before the meeting concluded, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Iain Watt and Prof. Eryk Dutkiewicz thanked NCKU for their warm hospitality. Prof. Dutkiewicz proposed that the next NCKU-UTS International Workshop could be hosted by UTS in 2025 and he sincerely invites NCKU faculty and students to attend. Executive Vice President Chuang added that both universities have received national funding to support cross-border academic cooperation, and he emphasized the importance of organizing a workshop that will benefit both institutions’ faculty and students.
The ceremony concluded on a positive note with fruitful discussions. Following the event, NCKU’s Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering led UTS representatives to visit their new facilities to deepen mutual understanding and inspire further collaborative ideas. The NCKU representatives participated in the event include Executive Vice President Woei-Jer Chuang, Chair Prof. Sun-Yuan Hsieh, Vice President for International Affairs; Prof. S. Felix Wu, Dean, College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; Prof. Shyh-Hau Wang, Chair, Dept. of Computer Science and Information Engineering; Prof. Meng-Hsueh Chiang, Chair, Dept. of Electrical Engineering; Assoc. Prof. Chung-Ping Young, Director, Institute of Medical Informatics; Prof. Sheng-Fu Liang, Director, Institute of Manufacturing Information and Systems; Prof. Chin-Lung Yang, Associate Chair, Dept. of Electrical Engineering; Assoc. Prof. Chia-Hsiang Lin, Director, International Relations Division, Office of International Affairs; Ms. Ya-Tsui Ellen Hsueh, Deputy Director, International Relations Division; Ms. Sophie Cheng, Ms. Evanna Chu, Ms. Yichen Tsai, Manager, International Relations Division; Ms. Yu Tsai, Assistant, Dept. of Computer Science and Information Engineering.
The official poster for UST and NCKU, NTHU, and NYCU’s collaborative PhD programs for graduates.
The University of Technology Sydney (UTS), located in Sydney, located in Sydney, Australia, was originally established as a university in 1998. Over the years, UTS has developed into an internationally recognized research university, offering a wide range of disciplines including business, engineering, health sciences, design, law, and social sciences. UTS maintains strong ties with industry and the community, emphasizing practice-oriented education and research. It was with the Ministry of Education’s invitation and coordination throughout, that the visit of UTS delegation to Taiwan and the NCKU could proceed successfully. Scholars and representatives of both universities exchanged fruitful ideas and experiences in academic and technological areas.