Written by  NCKU Office of Internation Affairs.Image credit to NCKU News Center.
 

To deepen strategic research collaboration between Taiwan and leading European research institutions and advance cutting-edge technology development, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) welcomed a high-level delegation from the Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (imec) of Belgium on September 2. Both sides engaged in in-depth discussions on cross-disciplinary research integration, industry-academia joint research platforms, international talent development, and  institutionalized collaboration mechanisms. Through these efforts, NCKU and imec aim to build a long-term international innovation ecosystem with a meaningful impact on industry.
 

NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen (right) presents a gift to Dr. Jo De Boeck (left), Executive Vice President and co-Chief Strategy Officer of imec, as the two sides look forward to further deepening their collaboration.
 

Bringing Disciplines Together to Address Global Challenges
A Shared Vision for Research and Innovation
 

NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen noted that, global challenges such as chronic diseases, an aging population, and rapidly evolving technologies can no longer be addressed by a single academic discipline alone. He emphasized that the future of research lies in bringing together fields such as medicine, semiconductors, engineering, and artificial intelligence (AI), while fostering cross-border and interdisciplinary collaboration to better connect academic research with real-world needs.
 

Echoing President Shen’s vision, Dr. Jo De Boeck, Executive Vice President and co-Chief Strategy Officer of imec, spoke highly of NCKU’s strong academic foundation and ability to bring together expertise across disciplines. He noted that, as a world-leading research and development center in microelectronics, imec not only has state-of-the-art research infrastructure, but also brings together expertise in advanced semiconductors, materials, devices, system integration, AI, and other key technologies. He emphasized that NCKU and imec share highly compatible visions for research and innovation ecosystem development, with both institutions working closely with industry to develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges.
 

Linking Industry-Academia Platforms
Exploring an Integrated Framework for Joint Research
 

Distinguished Professor Liang-Ming Whang, Director General for Innovation Headquarters and Vice President for Research & Development, shares how NCKU’s joint research centers bridge academic research and industry needs.
 

NCKU has established a strong foundation in industry-academia collaboration and cross-disciplinary research. During the meeting, faculty and experts from across the university shared the achievements of their ongoing work, with discussions focusing on cutting-edge areas including joint research centers with industry, smart healthcare, artificial intelligence, genomics, and frontier quantum technologies. Speakers included Dist. Prof. Liang-Ming Whang, Director General for Innovation Headquarters and Vice President for Research & Development; Prof. Peng-Chan Lin, Vice Superintendent of NCKU Hospital; Dist. Prof. Tsorng-Juu Liang, Director of the Delta-NCKU Joint Research Center; Dist. Prof. Hsing-I Hsiang, Director of the Yageo-NCKU R&D Center; and Dist. Prof. Tse-Ming Chen, a representative of the Center for Quantum Frontier of Research and Technology (QFort). They shared their experience and achievements in developing long-term research partnerships with leading companies and top overseas universities and research institutions, as well as in building platforms that connect academic research with industry.
 

The discussions also led to a shared understanding that, going forward, the two sides will explore opportunities for imec to connect with NCKU’s existing network of industry-academia joint research platforms and actively pursue an integrated research and development model. Through closer collaboration, the partnership aims to connect cutting-edge research with global industry and maximize the impact and value of research outcomes.
 

Building on a Decade of Collaboration
Strengthening Pathways for Talent Development
 

Dr. Jo De Boeck, Executive Vice President and co-Chief Strategy Officer of imec (third from left, front row), and Dr. Lode Lauwers, Senior Vice President Business Development and Strategy (second from left, front row), pose for a group photo with NCKU representatives, with in-depth discussions on interdisciplinary collaboration and industry-academia joint research.
 

NCKU and imec have built a strong foundation for collaboration, with dozens of NCKU students having participated in internships and research programs at imec over the past decade. Building on these achievements, the two sides will use specific cutting-edge research projects as entry points to accelerate research matching and collaboration. They will also work toward developing a structured framework covering master’s and doctoral research, internships, and international joint research. By bringing together the industry resources of both sides, the partnership aims to facilitate the mobility of highly skilled R&D talent and strengthen the connection between cutting-edge research and industry needs.

This high-level exchange not only builds on the strong relationship between NCKU and imec, but also opens a strategic and substantive pathway for deeper collaboration between leading research institutions in Taiwan and Europe. Moving forward, NCKU and imec will continue to identify and develop concrete areas of collaboration, while working together to nurture highly skilled technology talent with interdisciplinary expertise and a global perspective. Through these efforts, the two sides aim to bring new momentum to international research and innovation.