CNU and NTNU Sign Pact for Research and Student Exchange
NTNU recently established a formal acadmic partnership with Cebu Normal University (CNU) focused on advancing research and educational exchange. From October 28 to 30, 2024, representatives from both institutions gathered in Cebu to sign a memorandum of understanding, initiating a faculty and student exchange program. The agreement was signed by Dr. Daniel A. Ariaso of CNU and NTNU College of Science Dean Jein-Shan Chen, with Dean Roberto Corcino of CNU’s College of Computing, Artificial Intelligence, and Sciences (CCAIS) and NTNU Associate Dean Wei-Ta Fang as witnesses. Faculty members and students from both universities attended the signing, underscoring a shared commitment to international academic cooperation.
Following the agreement, the two institutions jointly hosted a three-day international conference on science and computing at Cebu One Central Hotel under the theme "Bridging International Developments in Science and Computing." The conference featured four major sessions covering “Biological and Environmental Sciences,” “Mathematics and Computational Sciences,” “Physics, Earth Sciences, and Chemistry,” and “Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics.” With over 120 scientists, educators, and students in attendance, the event provided a platform for in-depth discussions on emerging research topics and applications. Participants included scholars from CNU and NTNU, representatives from various universities across the Philippines, and selected high school students from local science programs.
The conference opened with remarks from Dr. Ariaso and Dean Chen, followed by presentations on recent research. Dean Chen discussed advancements in mathematics, such as theoretical informatics and functional solutions, while Associate Dean Wei-Ta Fang shared Taiwan’s strategies in disaster prevention and water management. NTNU faculty also presented on computational chemistry, high-performance computing, and semiconductor applications in surface physics. Dr. Jay Picardal, Director of CNU’s Center for Tropical Biology and Biomedical Technology, moderated the Q&A sessions that encouraged detailed exchanges on research methods and findings.
On the second day, NTNU Associate Professor Yi-Hsin Liu introduced analytical techniques for drug analysis, and Professor Meng-Wan Yeh presented a study on climate impacts on coral reef structures. Throughout the conference, NTNU and Philippine researchers collaborated on various subjects, including AI-supported ecosystem management, sustainable development, and high-performance computing. These discussions highlighted the integration of research with practical applications in environmental and technological fields.
This partnership between CNU and NTNU reflects a commitment to building academic connections in fields such as sustainable development, disaster management, and scientific research. Through ongoing exchanges, joint research initiatives, and future projects, both institutions aim to expand this foundation to address challenges in energy, environmental science, chemistry, mathematics, and related areas, supporting rigorous research and educational outcomes.