NTHU Inaugurates Kaohsiung Campus to Bolster Southern Taiwan's High-Tech Talent Pipeline
“Inter-University Research and Education Park for Key National Fields — NTHU Kaohsiung Campus” held its inauguration ceremony today (26). Representatives from industry, government, and academia gathered for the plaque unveiling, marking NTHU's expansion of its research and education initiatives into southern Taiwan.
KAOHSIUNG, TAIWAN — Aligned with national strategies to decentralize technological development, National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) in Taiwan officially inaugurated its Kaohsiung Campus today, February 26. Established at the invitation of the Kaohsiung City Government, the Inter-University Research and Education Park for Key National Fields represents a major milestone in NTHU's mission to cultivate next-generation talent through industry-government-academic synergy.
The Continuing Education Building 1 at the NTHU Kaohsiung Campus was formerly the Southern District Children's Home. It will now serve as a venue for teaching, academic exchanges, and various training and workshop activities.
Over the next decade, NTHU projects the campus will house 1,000 students and 100 faculty members. The University aims to create a "research-to-application" ecosystem, serving as a primary hub for innovation in southern Taiwan. By integrating regional resources and strengthening ties with local public and private universities, NTHU is committed to accelerating industrial transformation and regional prosperity.
At the inauguration ceremony of the “Inter-University Research and Education Park for Key National Fields — NTHU Kaohsiung Campus,” distinguished guests attended the plaque unveiling.
As Kaohsiung evolves into a strategic nexus for semiconductors, smart manufacturing, and net-zero transition, this new campus—approved by the Ministry of Education in June 2024—serves as a vital interdisciplinary platform. With land and infrastructure provided with the support of by the Kaohsiung City Government, NTHU is poised to lead the advancement of Taiwan's key national industries.
In response to requests for local industry upgrades and help with the transition to sustainability, NTHU began offering four master's credit programs at the Kaohsiung Campus in the second half of 2024: Artificial Intelligence; Smart Manufacturing and Digital Decision-Making; IC Packaging and Testing; and Climate Finance and Innovative Low-Carbon Strategies. These programs provide the foundation for a comprehensive research and education framework.
“From a traditional heavy industry base to a smart city in transformation, we deeply appreciate the dedication and efforts behind this evolution,” said NTHU President W. John Kao, expressing gratitude to the central government and the Kaohsiung City Government for their support. He noted that the vision for the Kaohsiung Campus is to offer Kaohsiung residents a better, more sustainable, and more opportunity-rich future, while strengthening collaboration between local enterprises and higher education to create expanded opportunities for talent cultivation and research.
NTHU President W. John Kao expressed hope that the campus will strengthen connections between local industries and higher education, creating more opportunities for talent cultivation and research collaboration.
“Competition among cities is fundamentally a competition for talent,” stated Kaohsiung Mayor Chi-Mai Chen. He emphasized that Zuoying District sits at the strategic hub of the semiconductor S Corridor in southern Taiwan. The inauguration of the Kaohsiung Campus symbolizes Kaohsiung's commitment to industry-academia collaboration and local talent development. Industrial transformation requires the presence of research talent and institutions. He thanked NTHU and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University for their support in shaping Kaohsiung's future development.
Mayor Chen Chi-mai noted that Zuoying sits at a strategic hub of southern Taiwan's semiconductor S-corridor. The inauguration of the NTHU Kaohsiung Campus represents the realization of Kaohsiung's vision for industry–academia collaboration and local talent development.
Institute of Sustainable Management and Climate Policy to Welcome First Cohort in September
The Institute of Sustainable Management and Climate Policy will admit its first cohort of graduate students this September, marking the full launch of NTHU's talent cultivation system in sustainability and climate governance in southern Taiwan.
“We aim to cultivate professionals capable of both designing and implementing sustainable transformation on the global stage,” said Chien-Te Fan, Director of the Institute. The curriculum adopts an English and bilingual instruction model, with students required to complete at least 50 percent of their coursework in English. The program emphasizes the A-I-G (Academia-Industry-Government) collaboration model, which includes partnering with the Ministry of Environment and the Kaohsiung City Government, and participating in initiatives related to the Kaohsiung Financial Technology Innovation Park. Students will engage directly in industry practice and accumulate hands-on experience.
Chief Secretary Lin Po-chiao of the Ministry of Education attended the ceremony to witness the inauguration and extend his congratulations.
Phased Development to Establish Master's and Doctoral Programs in Six Key Fields
Senior Vice President Ta-Jen Yen noted that the development of the Kaohsiung Campus will follow a strategic, phased rollout. So far, the renovation of Continuing Education Building I has been completed, along with the commencement of graduate student recruitment. In the future, NTHU plans to apply for the establishment of master's and doctoral programs across six key national priority sectors.
NTHU Vice President Yen Ta-Jen delivered a presentation introducing the Inter-University Research and Education Park for Key National Fields — NTHU Kaohsiung Campus.
The Continuing Education Center Building 1 at the NTHU Kaohsiung Campus was officially inaugurated today.
The unveiling ceremony was jointly officiated by NTHU President W. John Kao; Kaohsiung Mayor Chi-Mai Chen; Ministry of Education Secretary-General Po-Chiao Lin; and other distinguished guests. Their attendance demonstrates a shared commitment among central and local governments and industry partners to advancing research and education in key national fields in southern Taiwan.
The opening of the campus marks the official establishment of NTHU's research and education presence in Kaohsiung, joined by members of the NTHU Southern Taiwan Alumni Association.