Department of Chemistry Hosts Taiwan–Japan–Korea Joint Symposium
The Department of Chemistry hosted the 2025 Kyushu University–NTNU–Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology Joint Symposium on November 27 and 28. The event marked the first trilateral symposium involving institutions from Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea and was held to strengthen academic exchange among leading research universities in East Asia.
In addition to NTNU’s long-standing partner, Kyushu University of Japan, the symposium welcomed the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) as a new participant. The meeting concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU), laying the groundwork for future collaboration in research and faculty and student exchange.
Longstanding Partnership with Kyushu University
NTNU has maintained a strategic partnership with Kyushu University, one of Japan’s national research universities, since 2015. Collaborative activities have included a dual master’s degree program, intercollegiate academic forums, student exchanges, joint research projects, and international online teaching initiatives. Over the past decade, this partnership has developed into a stable and sustained academic network.
Building on this foundation, the Taiwan–Japan–Korea symposium expanded the framework of cooperation to include a third institution. The opening ceremony was chaired by Jein-Shan Chen, dean of NTNU’s College of Science. Delegations from Japan and South Korea included 20 researchers, several of whom serve as editors of international academic journals.
Diverse Research Themes and Student Participation
The two-day program featured 14 academic presentations covering topics in chemistry, materials science, and biomedical research. A poster session was also held, providing graduate students and early-career researchers with opportunities to present their work and engage in discussion.
Undergraduate and doctoral students from NTNU’s Department of Chemistry participated actively, exchanging ideas with peers from Kyushu University and UNIST. Discussion sessions were marked by sustained engagement and exchange among participants.
Establishing a Trilateral Platform
The symposium marked UNIST’s first participation in a joint academic forum with NTNU and Kyushu University, formalizing the event as a trilateral platform. During the meeting, Yu-Tzu Elise Li, chair of NTNU’s Department of Chemistry, and Jaeheung Cho, chair of UNIST’s Department of Chemistry, signed an MOU on behalf of their respective institutions.
The agreement establishes a framework for longer-term cooperation in academic research, talent development, and faculty and student exchange.
Next Steps
Faculty representatives from the Department of Chemistry noted that both the symposium and the signing of the MOU represent a step toward strengthening regional collaboration in the chemical sciences. In addition to supporting research exchange, the partnership is expected to provide students and researchers with broader international exposure.
The three institutions plan to continue organizing joint academic activities as part of their ongoing collaboration.