NCKU President Prof. Meng-Ru Shen (right) and ISU President Prof. Yuan-Kuang Guu (left) displayed the signed MoU, marking a significant step in collaborative efforts.

On July 2, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) and I‑Shou University (ISU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at NCKU’s Kuang‑Fu Campus. Under the agreement, both universities will leverage their respective resources and expertise to support outstanding international students in Taiwan, enabling them to pursue further study after completing their degrees, strengthening their research capabilities and professional competencies. The MoU was signed by NCKU President Meng‑Ru Shen and ISU President Yuan‑Kuang Guu, witnessed by their vice presidents and senior university administrators.

President Shen noted that NCKU and ISU shared a mission as internationally oriented universities rooted in southern Taiwan. He emphasized that Taiwan’s future depended on the development of higher education, which in turn rested on innovation, with talent as its foundation. With more than 220,000 alumni worldwide, NCKU’s international graduates had gone on to make meaningful contributions in various roles on the global stage. He emphasized the importance of building domestic partnerships to cultivate outstanding international talent already in Taiwan. He described the collaboration as a move toward mutual growth and long-term cooperation—a true example of “toil for good.”(成就共好)
 

In his remarks, NCKU President Meng‑Ru Shen said he had long anticipated this partnership with ISU.

President Guu noted that NCKU and ISU shared roots in engineering, giving them a strong foundation for collaboration. In its 35th year, ISU had developed a well-rounded academic and administrative system. Despite the challenges posed by Taiwan’s declining birth rate, the university’s International College had maintained steady enrollment and continued to grow. This partnership not only created a seamless path for ISU’s international students to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees at NCKU, but also laid the groundwork for a “through-train” model of talent cultivation, expanding academic pathways and enhancing both universities’ appeal to students at home and abroad.
 

Senior administrators from both universities attend the MoU signing ceremony.

Through the MoU, outstanding international students from ISU can join short-term exchange programs at NCKU, where they can experience training with a dynamic blend of theory and practice. Those who wish to continue their studies can apply for NCKU’s graduate programs to further unleash their academic and professional potential. In the long run, this collaboration aims to strengthen the talent pipeline in southern Taiwan, enhancing the higher education institutions’ capability to meet the evolving needs of key industries.