Signposts of NTNU Leadership in the AI Era
Professor Stephen J.H. Yang, a distinguished Chair Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering at National Central University (NCU), has been appointed as NTNU Vice President, effective 23 March. On the same day, Professor Chun-Yen Chang of NTNU's Graduate Institute of Science Education was awarded one of the highest academic honors in Taiwan, the National Chair Professorship by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education. The two announcements reflect NTNU's determination to advance institutional governance and academic excellence.
An Unprecedented Appointment
The appointment of Professor Yang marks the first time in NTNU's history that a vice president has been recruited from an external institution. With 'technology-integrated advancement' and 'innovative talent cultivation' as core institutional priorities under President Yao-Ting Sung, NTNU searched for a leader whose expertise aligns directly with the structural challenges and opportunities that AI presents for higher education. Professor Yang brings exceptional credentials for this purpose.
A globally recognized computer scientist and education scholar, Professor Yang has devoted his career to artificial intelligence, learning analytics, educational cloud infrastructure, and digital learning. He is the originator of the Precision Education framework, a model built around the principles of diagnosis, prediction, treatment, and prevention. The framework uses learning analytics and big data to help educators understand student progress, identify learning difficulties, and refine instructional strategies. It has not only shaped the foundations of learning analytics research in Taiwan, but has also been advanced internationally through the Taiwan-Japan Digital Learning Alliance and other collaborative platforms.
Professor Yang's contributions to public policy are equally significant. As the inaugural Director of the Department of Information and Technology Education in Taiwan's Ministry of Education, he oversaw Taiwan's first national digital learning initiative to construct the national education cloud, integrate digital resources, and upgrade Taiwan Academic Network (TANet) to 100Gbps. Consequently, Taiwan has a stable digital learning environment for nearly five million students and teachers nationwide. The resilience of this infrastructure proved critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling Taiwan's rapid and effective transition to online education.
In recent years, Professor Yang has deepened his focus on human-centered AI and digital sustainability, arguing that AI adoption concerns both technology as well as educational philosophy. He believes the goal of education must also cultivate individuals of sound judgment and genuine humanity on top of technical know-how. He has also pioneered research into the carbon footprint of AI systems and green learning models, advocating for environmentally responsible approaches to computing in education.
At NTNU, Professor Yang will drive transformation across three strategic fronts: accelerating AI integration into teaching, research, and administration; deepening cross-disciplinary talent development through the University's 'Humanities and Sciences in Harmony' approach; and leveraging his extensive experience in higher education policy and international academic networks to strengthen NTNU's global profile and partnerships.
An Impactful Career
Another momentous news emerged on the same day: NTNU Professor Chun-Yen Chang was named a recipient of Taiwan Ministry of Education's 29th National Chair Professorship. Only 10 scholars were awarded this honor for this cycle. It is one of Taiwan’s most prestigious academic recognitions. Professor Chang represents the social sciences and was recognized for his exceptional contributions to science education and the learning sciences.
With more than 40 years of experience at NTNU, Professor Chang has published over 100 papers in leading international journals, accumulated thousands of citations, and been recognized multiple times in The World's Top 2% Scientists. His research spans science education, digital learning, cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and genetics. The interdisciplinary nature of Professor Chang’s research lends momentum to the development of the Cross-platform Cloud Classroom (CCR) system and the AI-powered learning platform AISI, both of which are now in use internationally. Professor Chang has also collaborated substantially with broadcasters to produce science programming that makes rigorous research accessible and engaging to tens of millions of viewers.
Building for the Future
Professor Yang's appointment and Professor Chang's national honor represent more than individual achievements. Together, they embody NTNU's conviction that technological innovation and humanistic values are not contradictory but rather synergistic. NTNU is committed to preparing future graduates who can think cross-disciplinarily, engage with the world, and lead with both competence and conscience.