Latest News-2025 NYCU News Highlights-National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Source: https://www.nycu.edu.tw/nycu/en/app/news/view?module=headnews&id=552&serno=6acf92e9-2f34-478e-9f74-76879a210795 Parent: https://www.nycu.edu.tw/nycu/en/app/news/list?module=headnews&id=552
- Annual Report
- Publish Date：2026-02-16
2025 NYCU News Highlights
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\ In 2025, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University’s (NYCU) English website featured 150 news articles spanning 12 main themes. This diverse coverage highlights the university’s dynamic growth and its leadership in academia, research, and global collaboration.\ \ This year, NYCU focused on four key promotional areas: College Features, Academics/Research, Industry Cooperation, and International Affairs. To further engage readers and provide more personalized narratives, sections such as the President’s Letter, Feature Column, and Feature Story were refined. These enhancements offered valuable insights into NYCU’s core values and achievements through a more human-centered, storytelling approach.\ \ Reflecting our ongoing commitment to quality and consistency, the website maintained a steady stream of high-quality articles, averaging 1,061 views per article—a 141% increase over 2024. Industry Cooperation and Smart Healthcare were the most popular topics, especially articles covering key semiconductor partnerships (e.g., Altera, Siemens) and innovative medical technologies (e.g., automated stem cell systems), underscoring NYCU’s rising prominence as a global leader in BioICT innovation.\ \
Key News Trends Shaping NYCU News in 2025
Spotlight on Societal Impact
In 2025, NYCU’s news coverage increasingly highlighted how research and innovation directly address urgent, real-world issues—such as aging populations, environmental sustainability, and public health. Articles moved beyond technical details, focusing on the tangible outcomes and benefits of academic breakthroughs for society.
\ Strategic Global Collaboration
NYCU strengthened its position as a global academic leader by deepening international partnerships. The university emphasized bilateral research projects, active participation in major international forums, and the establishment of long-term collaborations with top institutions in the United States, Japan, and Europe, reflecting a more systematic approach to global engagement.
\ Personalized Storytelling and Branding
To make NYCU’s achievements more relatable, 2025 saw a continued move toward storytelling that centers on personal experiences and narratives. Features such as the President’s Letter and in-depth stories offered unique perspectives on leadership, research journeys, and student experiences, helping audiences connect with the university’s values and vision on a human level.\ The following sections will highlight the top 10 trending NYCU news stories of 2025 and 10 editors’ picks—essential reading across the university’s diverse news categories.
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01. NYCU and TSMC, ITRI, Stanford Team Achieve Breakthrough in Next-Gen MRAM for AI and Low-Power Applications
A cross-institutional research collaboration has achieved a major breakthrough in spin–orbit torque MRAM technology by stabilizing β-phase tungsten for high-temperature processing. This innovation resulted in a 64-kilobit, ultrafast, low-power, non-volatile memory compatible with CMOS, pushing forward next-generation AI, mobile, and data-center applications while bolstering Taiwan’s leadership in advanced semiconductor memory.
- NYCU's Cross-Disciplinary Course “Things We Learned from Animals” Explores the Bond Between Humans and Animals
A new cross-disciplinary course, “Things We Learned from Animals,” brought together NYCU, TNUA, and NCCU to blend life sciences, humanities, and the arts. The program uses animal-assisted therapy and ethical reflection to cultivate empathy and a deeper appreciation for human–animal bonds, presenting animals as companions in holistic education and self-awareness. (READ MORE)
- NYCU Rises in Global University Rankings but Eyes Deeper Global Collaboration
For the first time, NYCU entered the QS Top 200 in 2026, securing the 199th global spot by making notable advances in research impact, sustainability, and graduate employability. With a 41st place in the 2025 THE Impact Rankings, the university is sharpening its focus on international partnerships, academic distinction, and raising its global profile to continue this momentum.(READ MORE)
- NYCU and Kyushu University Unite Academia, Industry, and Government for Taiwan-Japan Semiconductor Co-Creation
Semiconductor collaboration between Taiwan and Japan reached new heights as NYCU and Kyushu University co-hosted the 2nd Global Partnership Semiconductor Forum and signed a broader MOU. This initiative fosters synergy across academia, industry, and government, laying the groundwork for joint education, research, and startup incubation—and setting a model for talent cultivation and innovation in the Asia-Pacific region. (READ MORE)
- NYCU Unveils Strange Metal Mechanism in Superconductors, Opening a Path to Energy-Efficient Technologies
NYCU researchers have uncovered the formation mechanism of the “strange metal” quantum critical state in cuprate superconductors, resolving a decades-old physics puzzle. The findings reveal how quantum entanglement enables high-temperature superconductivity, advancing prospects for room-temperature, energy-efficient superconducting materials.(READ MORE)
- NYCU TCMGRC Unveils Anti-Cancer Potential of Polysaccharides in Poria and Antrodia Cinnamomea
At the Traditional Chinese Medicine Glycomics Research Center, scientists have discovered strong anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties in polysaccharides derived from Poria and Antrodia cinnamomea. Suc40 F3, a newly identified compound, inhibits cancer cell proliferation, and precision cultivation further boosts bioactivity—paving the way for the modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine and new drug development. (READ MORE)
- NYCU, TSMC Charity Foundation, and 104 Job Bank Launch Taiwan’s First Humanities-Driven Semiconductor Program to Bridge the Gap for Non-STEM Students
A unique, humanities-driven semiconductor education program—Taiwan’s first—has been launched through joint efforts by NYCU, the TSMC Charity Foundation, and 104 Job Bank. By fostering industry insight, narrative skills, and broader communication for non-STEM students, the initiative expands the talent pool and highlights the value of humanistic thinking in the high-tech sector. (READ MORE)
- NYCU Develops Smartphone-Based, Contactless System for Heart Rhythm Monitoring Without ECG
A contactless heart rhythm monitoring system—operating via smartphone or laptop camera and powered by lightweight AI—now enables offline detection of atrial fibrillation. Clinically validated with over 450 subjects and published in IEEE JBHI, this solution makes telehealth and preventive cardiac care more accessible and resilient to motion or lighting challenges. (READ MORE)
- Everyday Actions, Deep Brain Connections: NYCU Study Uncovers How Chewing and Swallowing Engage the Human Mind
A scientific team from NYCU used MRI to reveal that chewing and swallowing engage distinct brain networks. Chewing performance depends on cerebellar–sensorimotor and prefrontal connectivity, especially under difficulty, while swallowing relies on cerebellar–basal ganglia circuits. Oral function correlates with systemic muscle health, highlighting brain-dependent adaptation and implications for aging, dentistry, and geriatric care. (READ MORE)
10. NYCU Researchers Develop Brain-Inspired Photonic Synaptic Transistor for Next-Gen AI Vision Systems
NYCU researchers developed an all-metal-oxide heterojunction photonic synaptic transistor that emulates biological learning and memory. Utilizing WO₃/InWZnO, the device features multilevel synaptic plasticity, visible-light sensitivity, and nonvolatile visual memory. Integrated arrays achieve high accuracy in AI vision tasks, paving the way for next-generation neuromorphic sensing, autonomous systems, and medical imaging applications. (READ MORE)
\ \ Editor’s Picks
Two Centuries After Bifocals: NYCU Builds World’s First Electronically Adjustable Liquid Crystal Eyeglasses
Researchers at NYCU have developed the world’s first battery-powered, electronically adjustable liquid crystal eyeglasses using gradient-index lenses. The system enables real-time, touch-controlled focal tuning with high image quality, overcoming limitations of traditional bifocals. Published in Physical Review Applied, the work demonstrates feasibility for mass production and broad applications in vision correction, AR/VR, and machine vision. (READ MORE)
Rebooting Careers: NYCU’s 3-Month Semiconductor Training Program Opens Doors for Non-STEM Talent
NYCU, in partnership with Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor, launched a fully subsidized three-month semiconductor training program enabling non-STEM talent to transition into high-tech careers. With intensive hands-on instruction, the initiative has trained over 1,100 participants and achieved a 70% job placement rate, expanding Taiwan’s semiconductor workforce and diversifying its talent pipeline. (READ MORE)
NYCU Uses Fruit Fly Brain to Uncover Key Pathway That May Halt Parkinson’s Disease Progression
A novel lysosomal pathway, discovered through studies in fruit fly and mouse models, has been shown to clear toxic α-synuclein via the GAK/aux gene. This mechanism, which regulates lysosomal acidification in glial cells, protects dopamine neurons and represents a promising therapeutic target for slowing the progression of Parkinson’s disease. (READ MORE)
Tracing the Origin: NYCU Unveils a Living Archive of the Sixth Fuel Factory
The Sixth Fuel Factory Documenta 2025 is an interdisciplinary initiative that merges history, ecology, and contemporary art. By drawing on archival materials, GIS-driven narratives, and site-specific artworks, the project revitalizes the WWII-era Sixth Fuel Factory as a living archive, weaving together memories from local to transnational scales along the Touqian River. (READ MORE)
NYCU Asfaloth-2025 Rocket Launched: First Integration of TASA’s MLP Marks a Milestone in Academic Space Research
NYCU successfully launched the Asfaloth-2025 sounding rocket, marking the first academic integration of TASA’s Mobile Launch Platform. The launch validated key systems—propulsion, avionics, communications, and vibration monitoring—while paving the way for future aerospace talent development and robust launch capabilities. (READ MORE)
NYCU and Nobel Laureate Unveil Breakthrough Algorithm to Accelerate Protein Structure Search and Drug Discovery
SARST2, a high-performance algorithm developed in collaboration with Nobel Laureate Arieh Warshel and Prof. Wei-Cheng Lo, enables ultra-fast protein structure comparisons across massive databases. This advancement, recently published in Nature Communications, tackles the challenges of AlphaFold-driven data surges and is set to accelerate drug discovery with remarkable speed and precision.(READ MORE)
NYCU IAPS and Kyushu University OIP Sign MOU to Foster Taiwan-Japan Innovation Exchange
NYCU IAPS and Kyushu University’s OIP signed an MoU to strengthen Taiwan–Japan innovation ecosystems. The partnership fosters startups, technology transfer, and academia-industry collaboration, including cross-border startup support and participation in events. It underscores a shared commitment to co-creating globally competitive, innovation-driven enterprises. (READ MORE)
NYCU Virtual Idol Niku Shines in the Anime Scene, Drawing Crowds at Taiwan’s Largest Fan Event!
Niku, a virtual idol co-created by NYCU and DreamCity Studio, made her debut at FF44—Taiwan’s prominent anime convention—entertaining audiences with live performances and interactive activities. Her rapid rise in popularity showcases the university’s pioneering approach to digital engagement and virtual influencer technology. (READ MORE)
NYCU and HHRI Develop World’s Smallest Chip-Scale Projector, Spotlighted on Nano Letters Cover
The world’s smallest chip-scale projector—measuring just 0.025 mm³—has emerged from a collaboration between NYCU and HHRI. This breakthrough monolithically integrated metasurface–photonic crystal surface-emitting laser (meta-PCSEL) is featured on the cover of Nano Letters for its potential in AR, VR, and wearable spatial computing. (READ MORE)
NYCU Partners with IBM to Establish Enterprise-Grade AI Learning Environment, Boosting Students’ Career Competitiveness
A strategic alliance with IBM brings the watsonx.ai platform and SkillsBuild digital resources into NYCU’s curriculum, equipping students with enterprise-level AI expertise, hands-on project experience, and industry insight. This initiative boosts practical skills, interdisciplinary learning, and career readiness for the AI-driven job market. (READ MORE)
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The 2025 NYCU News Annual Report captures a university in active transformation—combining research excellence with a strong sense of societal responsibility, expanding international partnerships, and prioritizing storytelling that puts people at the center. With ongoing advances in science, technology, medicine, humanities, and cross-sector collaboration, NYCU continues to deliver solutions to pressing global issues and nurture talent that bridges Taiwan and the world. Looking forward, NYCU stands dedicated to advancing knowledge, growing impactful collaborations, and making a lasting, positive difference for academia, industry, and society.
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