2026 International High School Principals Visit: NCKU Advances New Pathways for Global Talent Development
Written by NCKU Office of Internation Affairs & Image credit to NCKU News Center.
Group photo following the signing ceremony
Following the leadership of President Meng-Ru Shen in nurturing international talents via diverse collaborations, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), hosted the 2026 International High School Principals Visit Program from May 26 to 28, welcoming principals and senior administrators from leading secondary schools across Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea. During the three-day program, NCKU signed the Outstanding Student Referral Agreement with 16 schools, offering recommended students full tuition waivers and scholarship support.
On the opening evening of May 26, NCKU held a Cross-Institutional Global Networking Dinner, inviting representatives from the Southern Taiwan University Alliance — founded in 2025 — including National University of Tainan (NUTN), I-Shou University (ISU), Chang Jung Christian University (CJCU), Kun Shan University (KSU), Fooyin University (FYU), and Cheng Shiu University (CSU). The dinner opened the door to future collaboration between Alliance members and the visiting overseas schools.
NCKU Executive Vice President Shyy-Woei Chang (center) with the Alliance representatives at the networking dinner
NCKU Executive Vice President Chang remarked that education must embrace diverse development in a fast-changing world. The Alliance pools each member institution’s strengths to serve students across different fields and help more international students pursue their goals in Taiwan. Member representatives introduced their programs and directions to the visiting schools, broadening students’ academic and career options.
NUTN Vice President Chih-Cheng Hou highlighted its teacher education tradition and interdisciplinary focus; International Affairs Dean Ying-Chih Pu introduced its history and arts programs. ISU International Affairs Chief Strategy Officer Tai-Chi Wu presented its flexible degree structures, research centers, and personalized learning experience and counselling. CJCU President Huey-Min Sun emphasized its sustainability mission, while Global Engagement Director Ching-Ya Chiu noted its 168 global partner universities. FYU President Chueh-Shih Lin pointed out that one-third of Taiwan’s registered nurses are Fooyin graduates, with International and Cross-strait Affairs Dean Chia-Lun Lo adding that the university offers warm, personalized student support. KSU Vice President Shuhn-Shyurng Hou cited strong industry-academic ties and a longstanding relationship with NCKU; Secretary to the President Nai-Hui Yeh highlighted research collaborations with TSMC, ASE Group, Innolux, and Chi Mei. CSU International Affairs Vice Dean Wu-Te Ko noted it is the only private university serving as lead convener of the Ministry of Education’s New Southbound Policy overseas bases, while Associate Professor Po-Chih Hung added that over 95% of its graduates choose to remain in Taiwan.
NCKU President Shen welcomes the overseas high school representatives
The opening ceremony and agreement signing took place on May 27 at NCKU’s Future Hall, with President Shen signing in person. Also in attendance were Executive Vice President Shyy-Woei Chang, College of Medicine Dean Hsiu-Chi Cheng, College of Social Sciences Dean Chun-Li Tsai, Vice President for International Affairs Sun-Yuan Hsieh, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Yueh-Heng Li, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Yu-Ting Wu, and College of Planning and Design Executive Vice Dean Yaw-Shyan Tsay.
President Shen signs the Outstanding Student Referral Agreement
President Shen warmly welcomed representatives from schools across 6 countries, noting that NCKU is one of Taiwan’s few comprehensive research universities, with around 22,000 students — roughly one in eleven being international — reflecting a genuinely global campus. Ranked among the world’s top 200 universities, NCKU has built exchange and dual-degree partnerships with institutions across Europe, the US, Japan, and beyond. He expressed hope that this visit would deepen collaboration and open diverse pathways for students to connect with the world and realize their potential through education.
NCKU VP for International Affairs Sun-Yuan Hsieh presents NCKU’s profile and scholarship framework
NCKU Vice President for International Affairs Hsieh then briefed the attendees on NCKU’s recommendation pathway and scholarship framework, ensuring visiting representatives understood how to refer students and what support awaited them in Taiwan. The remainder of the program included a Faculty Panel Discussion, a visit to the Green and Sustainable Agricultural Biotechnology Demonstration Park (綠色永續農業生物科技示範園區), and a cultural tour of Tainan, giving participants a first-hand look at NCKU’s academic strengths and the city’s history and character.
Building on the Malaysia High School Principals Visits of 2024 and 2025, which produced agreements with 40 schools and 24 admitted students, this year’s program expanded to six countries across Northeast and Southeast Asia, bringing the three-year cumulative total to 56 partner high schools. To address intensifying competition in global higher education, NCKU has also pursued a broader strategy: the Southern Taiwan University Alliance, launched in July 2025, integrates the strengths of universities across southern Taiwan to offer international students more diverse pathways, building a stronger regional talent development ecosystem and contributing to research and cultural advancement in Taiwan and beyond.
Provider:
新聞中心
Date:
2026-06-03