NTU Ranks Historic 54th in QS World Rankings

As the global landscape of higher education becomes increasingly competitive, institutional advancement relies on a strategic convergence of research output, internationalization, and graduate employability. In the latest QS 2027 World University Rankings, National Taiwan University (NTU) achieved its highest historical position, rising to 54th globally. This growth occurred within an expanded evaluation field that grew to 8,808 institutions worldwide, highlighting NTU’s resilient performance in key global benchmarks.

The university’s upward trajectory is primarily driven by measurable gains in academic impact, international mobility, and sustainability metrics. In research excellence, all five of NTU’s broad faculty areas placed within the global top 100 in the preceding subject rankings, with seven disciplines securing positions in the top 50, led by Classics and Ancient History at 6th globally. Concurrently, internationalization efforts have expanded through systemic initiatives, including the “Taiwan Bridge Project”—which facilitates exchanges with Nobel laureates—and specialized mobility frameworks like “NTU Beyond Borders” and the “International Mentorship Program,” which collectively enhance campus diversity and global recruitment.

A defining differentiator for NTU remains its graduate employment outcomes, where the university secured a perfect score of 100. This metric reflects strong post-graduation employment rates and significant alumni societal contributions, supported by corporate-partnered initiatives such as the “Shadowing C-Suite Executives” internship program and entrepreneurial study expeditions to Silicon Valley. Additionally, NTU earned a score exceeding 90 points in the Sustainability indicator, ranking 1st in Taiwan and 4th in Asia. NTU President stated that the university will continue to diversify its international research networks and expand global talent acquisition to reinforce its foundational academic impact.

NTU Links International Talent with Industry

As global industries increasingly prioritize cross-border expertise, higher education institutions play a vital role in connecting emerging professionals with international market demands. National Taiwan University (NTU), in collaboration with CBtalent, recently hosted its inaugural international talent career fair. The initiative brought together 20 enterprises spanning finance, manufacturing, information technology, electronics, and trade, establishing a centralized venue designed to address multinational recruitment needs.

Supported by regional student associations representing Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, and the Philippines, the event drew over 300 international candidates from 37 countries, facilitating more than 450 interviews and corporate networking sessions. The opening assembly, led by NTU Associate Vice President for International Affairs Jun-Hao Lee, was attended by key institutional partners—including the National Development Council, the Ministry of Education, the Taipei Employment Service Office, and Talent Taiwan—alongside diplomatic representatives from the Indonesian Economic and Trade Office, the Manila Economic and Cultural Office, and the Thailand Trade Office.

This career fair represents a milestone in institutional career development framework design. Moving forward, NTU aims to continuously leverage academic and professional networks to link international talent with industry pipelines. By cultivating structured career opportunities and enhancing employment access, the university remains committed to supporting a globally competitive talent ecosystem and fostering a resilient professional environment for international scholars.

NTU Connects Global Leaders in Physics

NTU Connects Global Leaders in Particle Physics and Cosmology

As fundamental physics and modern mathematics increasingly converge to address the core questions of the universe, strategic transnational research clusters have become vital for pioneering scientific breakthroughs. The Max Planck–IAS–NTU Center for Particle Physics, Cosmology, and Geometry—a joint initiative established by the Max Planck Society, the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS), and National Taiwan University (NTU)—officially launched its collaborative research operations during an inaugural meeting at IAS in Princeton, New Jersey.

The four-day assembly was opened by IAS Director David Nirenberg, Max Planck Society President Patrick Cramer, and NTU Vice President Wan-Jiun Liao, underscoring the deep institutional commitment supporting this cross-border scientific alliance. The academic sessions convened leading researchers in physics and mathematics to evaluate structural innovations and theoretical developments in quantum field theory, scattering amplitudes, observational cosmology, and gravitational waves. By integrating advanced mathematical frameworks with empirical cosmological data, the forum provided a structured platform to examine the fundamental mechanisms driving current physical theories.

Beyond defining the center’s immediate research trajectories, the gathering served as an international node for academic exchange, featuring presentations from scholars representing Harvard University, Caltech, MIT, ETH Zürich, and Princeton University. Moving forward, the center aims to continuously leverage the distinct research capacities of its three founding institutions to accelerate foundational discoveries and cultivate high-level academic talent. This partnership model illustrates how modern research universities can coordinate institutional resources to advance global scientific inquiry and address complex theoretical challenges.

NTU Links Semiconductor Training with Germany

As the global demand for advanced technology infrastructure accelerates, high-level cross-border collaborations between academia, government, and industry have become essential to sustaining the semiconductor talent ecosystem. Sebastian Gemkow, Minister of the Saxon State Ministry for Science, Culture and Tourism, and Advisor Daniel Berger, accompanied by the TSMC Human Resources team, recently made their second official visit to National Taiwan University (NTU). Hosted by OIA Dean Hsiao-Wei Yuan and Associate Dean Jun-Hao Lee, the delegation reviewed the milestone achievements of the “Semiconductor Talent Incubation Program” initiated in 2024 and discussed future frameworks for deepening institutional cooperation.

The program originated from an agreement signed in 2023 by TSMC, the Saxon State Government, and TUD Dresden University of Technology. As the inaugural and exclusive academic partner university in Taiwan for this initiative, NTU recently welcomed 30 international students representing six nationalities from three major German universities. The selected scholars undergo a comprehensive one-semester academic regimen at NTU before transitioning to TSMC’s Taichung facility for practical, hands-on training. This collaborative model positions NTU at the forefront of pioneering state-level, trilateral educational initiatives that bridge international academic knowledge with industrial applications.

To ensure rigorous academic training, eight professors from NTU’s Departments of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science and Information Engineering, and Information Management serve as mentors, delivering eight specialized semiconductor courses. Complementing this core technical training, the NTU Office of International Affairs has integrated professional career workshops, Mandarin language courses, and localized cultural immersive activities into the curriculum. This dual framework equips international students with essential technical capabilities and cross-cultural competencies, establishing a sustainable blueprint for transnational workforce development in strategic technology sectors.

NTU Advances Bilingual Pedagogy

As universities expand English-Medium Instruction (EMI), many face the same challenge: how to ensure students can actively participate and succeed in increasingly multilingual classrooms. At National Taiwan University (NTU), a newly certified faculty development programme is helping educators translate bilingual education policy into practical teaching strategies that support student confidence, engagement, and learning outcomes.

The EMI Teaching Resource Center at NTU recently received official certification from Taiwan’s Ministry of Education for its “EMI Plus Faculty Development Workshop.” The recognition reflects growing attention across higher education to the importance of preparing faculty not only to teach in English, but to create inclusive and effective bilingual learning environments for students from diverse linguistic and academic backgrounds.

A key feature of the programme is its integration of the internationally recognised Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) with teaching strategies tailored to EMI classrooms. Developed by a cross-disciplinary NTU team spanning life sciences, management, humanities, and engineering, the five-day, 36-hour workshop focuses on practical classroom application rather than theory alone. Faculty participants explore approaches such as the BOPPPS teaching framework and linguistic scaffolding techniques designed to reduce learning anxiety, strengthen classroom interaction, and improve student comprehension in bilingual settings.

The workshop also places strong emphasis on peer feedback and reflective teaching practice. Under the guidance of certified ISW facilitators, participants engage in multiple rounds of micro-teaching, discussion, and revision before completing a final teaching demonstration. Upon completion, educators receive certification from the Ministry of Education, the Taiwan Assessment and Evaluation Association, NTU, and the international ISW network.

As universities across Asia continue to strengthen bilingual education capacity, NTU hopes the programme can contribute to a wider community of educators equipped to support high-quality, student-centred multilingual learning environments.

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.

Study Finds Dietary AGEs Harm Gut Health

New research demonstrating the impact of dietary advanced glycation end products (AGEs) shows that excessive intake can disrupt lipid metabolism and alter gut microbiota composition, highlighting potential metabolic risk associated with obesity.

Prof. Wei-Lun Hung, School of Food Safety, College of Nutrition

The study, led by Associate Professor Wei-Lun Hung from Taipei Medical University (TMU)’s School of Food Safety, was supported by Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council and published in Food Chemistry, an international journal with a 2024 impact factor of 9.8, ranking in the top 3.5% of the Nutrition & Dietetics category.

AGEs are widespread in everyday foods, particularly processed products. While previous studies have linked AGEs to oxidative stress, inflammation, and chronic diseases, the mechanisms by which dietary AGEs influence metabolism and gut ecology under obese conditions have remained unclear. TMU’s research provides new evidence that excessive dietary AGEs intake may have a direct and detrimental impact on metabolic health.

Using a high-fat diet–induced obesity mouse model, the research team investigated the physiological effects of different forms of AGEs. The findings revealed that additional dietary AGEs intake significantly interfered with lipid metabolic pathways and reshaped the composition of the gut microbiota and its metabolites. Mice receiving high-AGE diets gained more weight and exhibited elevated AGE accumulation in the liver. Metabolomic analysis showed widespread disturbances in metabolic profiles, particularly in lipid-related metabolites.

Gut microbiome analysis further revealed that AGEs substantially increased the abundance of Verrucomicrobiaceae and Erysipelotrichaceae, two bacterial families previously associated with metabolic disorders. At the same time, gut metabolite profiling demonstrated a marked rise in secondary bile acids, compounds known to influence lipid absorption and inflammation.

Integrated analyses demonstrated a positive correlation between shifts in gut microbiota composition, changes in bacterial metabolites, and disturptions in host lipid metabolism. These findings offer valuable insights into how dietary AGEs may elevate metabolic risks in individuals with obesity.

The study underscores the importance of nutritional strategies and food-processing improvements aimed at reducing AGE exposure. By clarifying the interactions between AGEs, metabolic regulations, and gut health, this research provides a scientific foundation for the development of future interventions to support improved metabolic outcomes.

Original Research Article:

Distinct effects of methylglyoxal-derived hydroimidazolone 1, Nε-carboxyethyllysine, and an advanced glycation end product-rich diet on lipid metabolism, gut microbiota, and secondary bile acids in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Research Process Flowchart

NCU Develops Green Sensing Platform

A collaborative research team led by Associate Professor Cihun-Siyong Gong from the Department of Electrical Engineering at National Central University (NCU) and Professor Ren-Jei Chung from the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at National Taipei University of Technology has developed a green electrochemical sensing platform driven by caffeic acid. The study has been published in the internationally renowned journal ACS Sensors.

 

The researchers first synthesized self-templated, double-shelled zinc manganite (ZnMn₂O₄) hollow microspheres using co-precipitation and calcination methods. At room temperature, a natural organic molecule—caffeic acid—was employed as a reducing agent to enable the in situ formation and uniform deposition of rhenium nanoparticles on the shell surface, resulting in a Re@ZnMn₂O₄ composite material. This approach successfully avoids the use of highly toxic reducing agents, aligning with green chemistry principles, while the double-shelled structure provides a large accessible surface area and abundant active sites for reactions.

 

Material characterization revealed that the incorporation of rhenium nanoparticles enhances conductive pathways, significantly improving electron transport and interfacial reaction efficiency. Electrochemical testing further demonstrated that the electrode exhibits optimal performance under near-physiological conditions (pH 7).

 

In terms of sensing performance, the platform achieves a low detection limit of 0.21 μM for epinephrine, along with a wide linear detection range and high selectivity. Notably, the sensor retains approximately 98% of its signal response after 12 days of storage at room temperature, indicating excellent long-term stability.

 

Overall, this study integrates advanced structural design with green synthesis strategies to propose a high-performance electrochemical sensing approach. The findings lay a solid foundation for future real-time biomedical monitoring systems and highlight strong potential for clinical applications.