In its 34th year, ISU started as “Kaohsiung Polytechnic Institute,” initially focusing on science and engineering programs. Today, it has grown into southern Taiwan’s leading comprehensive university and is among the few institutions outside Taipei offering a full spectrum of fields, including medicine, science, engineering, technology, business, humanities, and social sciences. In June, AI pioneer Jensen Huang recognized ISU as an official NVIDIA partner, underscoring its robust academic strengths. Supported by resources from its affiliated group and enriched by nearly 1,500 international students from over 40 countries, ISU equips students with interdisciplinary expertise and global competitiveness, preparing them to become future-ready talents through the power of education.
ISU’s commitment to AI development began in 2018 with the pioneering “X+AI” interdisciplinary integration curriculum, mandating AI-related coursework for all students to foster a strong foundation in AI skills. In 2020, ISU established the College of Intelligent Science and Technology, introduced Taiwan’s second NVIDIA supercomputer, and launched the AI High Performance Computing Lab, solidifying its official partnership with NVIDIA. That same year, ISU collaborated with NVIDIA and Gigabyte to open Taiwan’s first “NVIDIA Studio x GIGABYTE Collaboration Space,” providing comprehensive support for digital innovation. By 2022, ISU’s commitment to innovation was further marked by the launch of the AI Innovation Center. In July, ISU and NVIDIA collaborated again to establish a studio featuring the advanced NVIDIA Omniverse platform, integrating AI technology into curricula across all nine colleges. This initiative equips students in every field with essential AI skills. NVIDIA experts also provided on-campus training for faculty members, helping them secure NVIDIA-related certifications, ensuring faculty members stay at the forefront of technology, and empowering them to guide students toward achieving industry-recognized qualifications.
With its strong software and hardware resources, ISU excels at cultivating well-rounded, talented individuals. Graduates from the Department of Physical Therapy, Hsuan-Jen Ouyang and Hsiao-Shen Chang, achieved outstanding results in this year’s Senior Professional and Technical Examination for Physical Therapists, ranking first and third nationwide—marking two of the top three spots for ISU students. This year, 27 students from the department passed the exam, far surpassing the national average pass rate of 21.41%, a testament to their exceptional performance. Moreover, students from various colleges continue to shine in major competitions. The College of Intelligent Science and Technology remains a strong contender in the Green Idea Invention and Design Fair, with a team from the Department of Electrical Engineering and the Department of Information Engineering earning an impressive one silver and five bronze medals this year.
ISU, a talent training hub for the film and television industry in southern Taiwan, has produced alumni with noteworthy achievements. Chen-Chih Chan, a graduate of the Department of Mass Communication, was part of the cinematography team for the TV drama Copycat Killer, which won the Best Cinematography in a Drama Program at the 58th Golden Bell Awards. Tzu-Yun Chen, another alumnus of the Department, won the Educational and Cultural Program Award at the 57thGolden Bell Radio Awards. Chien-Chou Hou, who also graduated from the Department, served as the producer of The Battle of Inches – Decoding Silicon Shield Island special, which earned the Financial News Award at the 22nd Excellent Journalism Award.
ISU emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, recognizing the power of cross-disciplinary connections to bridge the younger generation with local communities. Faculty and students from the Department of Nursing, the Department of Nutrition, and the Department of Hospitality Management teamed up with the Houbi Farmers’ Association in Tainan, offering a range of healthcare activities at the Houbi Green Care Center to support local elders comprehensively. In ShinYuan Township, Pingtung, ISU collaborated with local organizations and the township office on projects like the Green Power Vanilla Smart Ecosystem Development and the Innovative Circular Economy in Rice Production. These initiatives involve creating a real-time environmental monitoring system for ShinYuan’s vanilla orchids, transforming rice waste into creative cultural products, and co-developing a food and agriculture education app to showcase local specialties. Such technologies not only increase farmers’ income but also contribute significantly to a sustainable circular economy. Additionally, the Departments of Nutrition and the Department of Culinary Arts and Gastronomy partnered with Kaohsiung’s renowned religious site, Fo Guang Shan, to advance the Vegetarian Green Wellness Village and Outreach Practice Project under the University Social Responsibility Hub. This project provides education on vegetarian nutrition, health screenings, vegetarian nutrition lectures, and healthy vegetarian meals. ISU fosters sustainability-focused talent through these multifaceted initiatives, achieving impactful results across various fields.
