Text: NCKU Office of Research and Development. Photos: NCKU News Center.
 

National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) ranked 33rd in Asia and second in Taiwan in the 2027 QS Asia University Rankings, announced on November 3, 2026, by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a UK-based higher education analysis organization. This is NCKU’s highest ranking in nearly a decade.
 

The QS Asia University Rankings evaluate universities based on 11 indicators covering Research and Discovery, Employability and Outcomes, Learning Experience, and Global Engagement. NCKU improved its scores in all 11 indicators compared with the previous year. It received a perfect score in "Staff with PhD." In the indicators “Employer Reputation,” “Academic Reputation,” “Outbound Exchange Students,” and “International Research Network,” NCKU scored above 90 points in all 4 of them.
 

NCKU ranks 33rd in Asia and second in Taiwan in the 2027 QS Asia University Rankings, achieving the highest ranking in nearly a decade.
 

NCKU places strong emphasis on talent development. Through comprehensive faculty support measures and talent development programs, the University continues to improve its teaching and research environment and support faculty members’ professional growth. NCKU also promotes curriculum innovation, interdisciplinary learning, and industry-academia collaboration to better connect academic research with industry needs. These efforts help students develop practical skills and strengthen their competitiveness in the job market. NCKU’s achievements in talent development have also received recognition from businesses. In 2026, NKCU once again ranked first in the Enterprises’ Favorite College Students Survey Rankings, published by Global Views. This marks the 12th consecutive year that NCKU has received this recognition.
 

In research and development, NCKU continues to bring together research expertise across different fields. Through initiatives such as the NCKU AI Apex Project (成大 AI 攻頂計畫), Sustainability Advancement Project (永續躍升計畫), Pilot Scheme Encouraging Cross-Institutional Collaborative Research (鼓勵跨機構合作研究試辦計畫), and NCKU-HISP Humanity Innovation and Social Practice Program (人文創新及社會落實計畫), the University supports collaboration across colleges, departments, and institutions. These initiatives encourage faculty members and researchers to combine expertise from different disciplines to address important issues such as artificial intelligence, smart healthcare, and net-zero carbon emissions, while promoting high-quality research outcomes.
 

In international engagement, NCKU has launched initiatives such as the International Cooperation Project for Academic Excellence (國際躍升計畫), CiC Seed Fund Program (CiC 國際聯盟種子基金科研計畫), GRIP-Global Research Interaction Program (國際科研合作試辦計畫), and CRC-Collaborative Research Cluster (聯合研究聚落). These initiatives expand research collaboration and academic exchange with international partners, creating more opportunities for faculty members and students to participate in international research and learning. They also support the development of global talent and strengthen the University's international learning environment.
 

Facing the evolving global higher education landscape and its challenges, NCKU will continue to strengthen interdisciplinary research and international partnerships, support faculty development, and expand international exchange opportunities for students. The University will also reinforce industry-academia collaboration and talent development while fostering a diverse and international campus environment. Through these efforts, NCKU aims to nurture graduates with professional expertise, interdisciplinary skills, and a global perspective, while continuing to advance the University's development.
 

Reference: QS World University Rankings: Asia 2027