NTU Celebrates International Talent Ties

National Taiwan University (NTU) recently hosted its “2026 International Talent Development Appreciation Banquet,” bringing together long-term corporate partners, donors, students, and university colleagues to reflect on the impact of international learning opportunities and the partnerships that help make them possible.

Student sharing sessions formed a central part of the evening, with participants reflecting on how overseas experiences had shaped their academic development, career exploration, and confidence in international settings. Through these conversations, guests heard more directly about the personal and professional perspectives students had gained through international exchange experiences.

The banquet also highlighted several of NTU’s international exchange and student development programmes, including the “NTU Beyond Borders” initiative. NTU currently sends more than 1,500 students overseas each year while also welcoming approximately 7,300 international students to campus, contributing to an increasingly international learning environment.

Representatives from organisations including the Hsieh Kuo-cheng Baseball Cultural and Educational Foundation, Missioncare Medicine Holding, C Sun Mfg., and Yuanta Bank attended the event, reflecting the university’s continuing relationships with partners that support international learning opportunities for students.

By bringing together students, donors, industry representatives, and university colleagues in the same space, the banquet highlighted the shared role these partnerships play in helping students gain international experience and wider professional perspectives.

NTU & Cake: Elevating Global Careers

As international student mobility continues to grow, universities are increasingly focused on how students can translate cross-cultural experiences into professional opportunities across different job markets.

At National Taiwan University, a series of career workshops developed by the Office of International Affairs in collaboration with Cake and the Center for Bilingual Education aims to support international students in navigating this transition. The sessions focus on helping participants align their academic backgrounds and multicultural experiences with the expectations of both local and global employers.

The first workshop, “Resume Culture and Personal Branding,” introduced students to strategies for presenting their experiences in a clear and structured way. Participants used Cake’s AI Resume Review tool to refine their applications, while insights from Evelyn, an alumna of the International Mentorship Program, highlighted how to communicate experience effectively through concise and focused narratives. Students were also provided with Cake Premium access to support ongoing development.

A second session, “Turning Interview Traps into Wins,” focused on interview preparation ahead of the International Mentorship Program matching process. Led by NTU alumni Angie and Coco, the workshop explored how to interpret interview questions and respond in ways that reflect both personal experience and employer expectations. Through mock interviews and group exercises, students practised presenting their skills with greater clarity and confidence.

Together, these workshops illustrate how universities are combining digital tools with practical training to support international students in developing career readiness. By addressing both communication and cultural dimensions of employability, such initiatives reflect broader efforts to help students navigate increasingly complex global career pathways.

NTU Partners with Swedish Chamber of Commerce

As the global financial sector becomes more complex and interconnected, universities are exploring how to help students understand industry expectations while developing the skills needed for long-term careers.

At National Taiwan University, a recent workshop organised by the Office of International Affairs in collaboration with the Swedish Chamber of Commerce Taipei brought students into direct dialogue with finance professionals. The event, titled “Keys to Success in the Finance Industry,” focused on how students can navigate career pathways in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.

The workshop featured speakers from across the finance sector, including banking, investment trusts, securities analysis and asset management. Participants included former DBS Managing Director Jerry Ho, Cathay SITE Executive Hans Deng, J.P. Morgan Associate Jennifer Hsieh, asset management expert Hsin-ju Hsieh, and Bloomberg Relationship Manager Claire Hsu. Through these discussions, students gained insights into both career trajectories and the practical challenges of working in the industry.

A key theme that emerged was the importance of ethics and resilience. Jerry Ho emphasised that maintaining integrity is essential for long-term success in a sector often shaped by high-pressure decision-making. Hsin-ju Hsieh highlighted the need for continuous learning and professional networking, noting that career opportunities in finance often arise in unpredictable ways.

The workshop illustrates how universities are creating opportunities for students to engage with industry perspectives beyond the classroom. By working with international partners such as the Swedish Chamber of Commerce Taipei, initiatives like this aim to support students in developing the awareness and skills needed for global professional environments.

NTU Celebrates 2026 Azalea Festival

Universities are increasingly expected to create environments where local campus life and global engagement intersect, giving students opportunities to experience international collaboration as part of their everyday academic journey.

At National Taiwan University, the annual Azalea Festival provides one such setting. As spring arrives, the blooming azaleas mark a period when academic exchange, institutional partnerships and student activity converge across campus. The 2026 festival, themed “Echoes of Ancient Waterways, Azaleas in Youthful Bloom,” reflects both NTU’s heritage and the energy of its student community.

This year’s event also coincides with the 10th anniversary of the National Taiwan University System. Joint exhibitions with National Taiwan Normal University and National Taiwan University of Science and Technology highlight ongoing efforts to strengthen cross-campus collaboration and resource integration within the system.

Alongside the festival, NTU hosted a Fulbright International Education Administrators delegation in March, welcoming representatives from 16 U.S. institutions, including Rice University and Pennsylvania State University. Through a series of discussions, participants explored opportunities for collaboration in global research, as well as programmes such as the International Mentorship Program and the Taiwan Huayu BEST Program.

Together, these activities demonstrate how campus-based events can support both community engagement and international dialogue. By bringing local traditions and global partnerships into the same space, initiatives such as the Azalea Festival illustrate how universities are creating more connected academic environments that link student experience with global collaboration.

NTU Spotlight: https://www.ntu.edu.tw/spotlight/2026/2463_20260319.html

NTU Launches International NGO Talent School

As global challenges such as migration, inequality and sustainable development become more complex, universities are increasingly exploring how students can engage directly with real-world issues through international and cross-sector collaboration.

At National Taiwan University, the NTU iNGO Academy brings together students, non-governmental organisations and external partners to create a platform for applied learning in the social impact sector. Now in its fourth year, the programme has welcomed 30 students from nine countries, working alongside 22 partner organisations in a 13-week training and internship experience.

The Academy has expanded to include a wider network of collaborators, including igoodpoint, TÜV Rheinland Taiwan, Impact Hub Taipei, the Taipei City Government Department for Youth, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Taiwan), and Taiwan Plus. Through these partnerships, the programme connects academic learning with diverse professional contexts, supporting engagement with public issues across sectors.

The curriculum combines structured training with practical experience. Participants complete more than 150 internship hours while developing skills in issue research, communication, impact measurement and strategy. The opening session featured remarks from Associate Vice President for International Affairs Professor Jiun-Haw Lee, who emphasised that global engagement carries responsibility. Jessie Chan, Special Appointed Consultant to the iNGO Academy and former Asia-Pacific Brand General Manager of L’Oréal, encouraged students to approach the programme with professionalism and resilience.

The first training course, “Issue Research and Communication,” led by Chunyuan Hu of Refugee 101 Taiwan, introduced students to case studies on asylum systems and refugee experiences. Through these discussions, participants examined the relationship between policy and lived experience, and how research and communication shape public understanding.

The programme also includes regional study visits in Taichung and Hsinchu, as well as opportunities to join the NTU Overseas Traineeship in Awaji Island, Japan, and Kathmandu, Nepal. These experiences allow students to engage with local revitalisation and social innovation initiatives across different cultural contexts.

Together, these elements illustrate how universities can integrate academic study with international NGO engagement and cross-sector collaboration. By bringing students, organisations and partners into a shared framework, the NTU iNGO Academy demonstrates how higher education can support the development of skills and perspectives needed to contribute to global challenges

NTU Career Center Wins Brandon Hall Bronze

As the global job market evolves, universities are increasingly expected to help students navigate the transition from academic study to professional practice. At National Taiwan University, new approaches to career development are focusing on how students build the skills needed for an unpredictable and internationally connected workplace.

In 2025, NTU’s Career Center received a Bronze Award for Best Competencies and Skill Development at the Brandon Hall Group HCM Excellence Awards for its “Empowering Future Talent” program. The initiative focuses on strengthening the link between university education and employment through closer collaboration with industry partners.

Rather than relying solely on traditional career counselling, the programme connects students with global enterprises through an integrated ecosystem of industry–academia partnerships. Through interdisciplinary workshops, participants develop core competencies such as problem-solving and cross-cultural leadership—skills increasingly seen as essential for navigating complex and diverse professional environments.

The program reflects a broader shift in how universities support students’ long-term professional development. By integrating industry engagement with skills training, initiatives like “Empowering Future Talent” illustrate how higher education institutions are exploring new ways to prepare students for global careers.

https://ntubeats.ntu.edu.tw/enews/013/04.html

NTU Hosts Nobel Laureates for Research Talks

National Taiwan University (NTU) hosted 2013 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine laureate Prof. James E. Rothman and renowned neuroscientist Prof. Joy Hirsch from Yale University on November 5 as part of the “NTU Raymond Soong Chair Professorship of Distinguished Research” They delivered keynote lectures and joined a panel discussion, engaging NTU faculty and students in an enriching day of scientific exchange.

Prof. Rothman, known for uncovering the molecular mechanism of intracellular vesicle transport—often called the “logistics of life”—shared new findings on how synaptic vesicle fusion enables extremely rapid neurotransmission. Prof. Hirsch presented her pioneering hyperscanning research that reveals how the human brain behaves differently during real social interaction, aiming to build neuro-inspired models for human–machine communication.

During the dialogue session, both scholars encouraged young researchers to embrace challenges, maintain passion, and pursue curiosity-driven inquiry. Their visit highlights NTU’s commitment to fostering global academic connections and advancing scientific excellence through interactions with world-leading researchers.

https://www.ntu.edu.tw/spotlight/2025/2434_20251126.html

NTU Biomedical Prof. Honored with TECO Award

National Taiwan University (NTU) Biomedical Engineering distinguished professor Dr. Yang Tai-Hung, also Director of the Life Sciences Development Division at the National Science and Technology Council, received the 32nd TECO Award in the Biomedical/Agricultural field. The award recognizes his innovative work on polycaprolactone membranes for reparable pneumothorax, which are both effective and safe for high-risk medical applications, as well as his development of a simple and efficient system for capturing circulating tumor cells, advancing precision medicine technologies.

Dr. Yang expressed deep gratitude to his family, especially his parents, whose unwavering support and love gave him the courage to pursue his research ambitions. He emphasized that their encouragement has been a constant source of motivation throughout his solitary research journey.

He also acknowledged his mentors and over 80 graduate students, highlighting that their guidance and teamwork have been essential to his achievements. Dr. Yang noted that facing challenges with dedication and a commitment to truth allowed him to advance in his field and reach new academic heights.

https://sec.ntu.edu.tw/epaper/article.asp?num=1670&sn=39639

NTU Boost Renewable Energy Catalysis

Researchers at National Taiwan University (NTU) have developed a new perovskite photocatalyst that integrates molecular chirality and electron spin effects to drive artificial photosynthesis. The material efficiently converts carbon dioxide into useful fuels using sunlight, offering a promising route for clean energy technologies.

The team successfully engineered left- and right-handed chiral structures within perovskite crystals, discovering that chirality induces spin polarization and enhances charge separation. This leads to higher reaction selectivity and efficiency, opening a new direction in the design of chiral optoelectronic and green catalytic materials. The breakthrough highlights the critical role of spin-controlled chemistry in solar-energy conversion.

Led by NTU Distinguished Professor Chun-Wei Chen from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the NTU-MST program, the collaboration included National Taiwan Normal University, the National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, National Pingtung University, and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. The findings were published on the cover of the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS):

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/jacs.5c11357

https://sec.ntu.edu.tw/epaper/article.asp?num=1668&sn=39618

NTU Boosts Campus Disaster Resilience

National Taiwan University (NTU) has long prioritized building a resilient campus as part of its social responsibility, aiming to ensure a safe and sustainable environment for learning and research while strengthening its capacity to respond to extreme weather, earthquakes, and other emergencies. Through the multi-year Resilient Campus Project, NTU has progressively enhanced disaster preparedness and institutional response capabilities.

To strengthen campus-wide skills, NTU launched a Disaster Prevention Specialist Training Program, inviting professional instructors to equip faculty, staff, and students with practical disaster-response knowledge. This initiative improves readiness and will be expanded in the coming years to further enhance institutional resilience.

To foster leadership awareness of disaster risks, NTU invited Secretary General Li Wei-Sen of the National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction to deliver a keynote at the December 31 administrative meeting. His talk, titled “Campus Disaster Preparedness from a Business Continuity Perspective,” provided insights into both domestic and international risk management practices, enabling university leaders to refine response strategies and further strengthen overall campus resilience.

https://sustainable.ntu.edu.tw/uploads/files/shares/USR-Report/NTU%202024%20USR%20Report%20(EN).pdf