Naoki Kumamoto, Representative Director of the Kyushu–Taiwan Visionary Institute (KTVI), led a delegation to visit Tamkang University’s College of Artificial Innovative Intelligence (AII) on November 27 for an exchange visit. Building on earlier engagements between the two sides, the visit aimed to translate their shared vision for interdisciplinary talent cultivation into concrete action through the Next-Generation Leadership Development Program scheduled for 2026. A Japan–Taiwan Co-Creation Workshop is tentatively planned for March 6 next year at Tamkang University’s College of AI and Creative Intelligence, creating an efficient dialogue platform where Taiwanese and Japanese youth can jointly “reflect on future society through AI.”
With TSMC establishing manufacturing facilities in Japan and accelerating Taiwan–Japan exchanges, the Taiwan Japan Academy established its Kyushu Branch (KTVI) in February this year to serve as a bridge for bilateral talent development. During this visit, Kumamoto was accompanied by KTVI Advisory Committee Member Shu-Ching Huang. They engaged in discussions with Dr. Tzung-Hang Lee, Dean of the Colleges of Engineering, Precision Healthcare, and AII; Dr. Kuei-Ping Shih, Chief Information Officer of the Office of Information Services; and Dr. Chih-Hung Chung, Director of the Center for Distance Education Development, regarding collaboration on the 2026 Next-Generation Leadership Development Program.
The origins of this in-depth dialogue can be traced to Kumamoto’s attendance at a keynote lecture delivered by Dean Lee. Deeply impressed by Tamkang University’s forward-looking vision and strong implementation capacity in interdisciplinary AI integration, Kumamoto was motivated to initiate this visit. During the forum, representatives from both sides exchanged substantive insights on innovations in smart education models, the design logic of interdisciplinary curricula, and the precise alignment of AI technologies with industry needs. Kumamoto remarked that Tamkang University’s strength in interdisciplinary AI integration is a rare model in Japan, stating, “Tamkang possesses the conditions necessary to inspire Taiwanese and Japanese youth to think about future society. I firmly believe this collaboration will be highly fruitful.”
Following further discussions, it was confirmed that the 2026 KTVI Japan–Taiwan Co-Creation Workshop will be guided by the principles of Interdisciplinarity × Co-Creation × Practice, with a thematic focus on New Leadership at the Intersection of AI, Education, and Industry. The program will integrate three core components: AI Fundamentals, AI Theory, and AI Applications, culminating in final project presentations. Through intensive cross-national collaboration, the initiative aims to establish a high-efficiency dialogue platform enabling Taiwanese and Japanese youth to jointly “reflect on future society through AI.” Participants will be required to conduct on-site field studies in Taiwan and complete a proof-of-concept (PoC) project within three months, using practical outcomes to assess the effectiveness of their learning.
Dean Lee emphasized that the core of AI education lies not merely in technical training, but “in the ability to connect with real-world problems and propose viable solutions.” Tamkang University, he noted, is actively building an educational ecosystem that responds to both industry and societal needs. The discussion was also joined by Che-Wei Yang, Associate Director of the Transportation & Construction Consultation Group at Sumitomo Corporation Taiwan, and Tzu-Yuan Hsu, Vice President of Information at Xue Si Xing Digital Marketing. Yang noted that Dean Lee played a pivotal role in facilitating this collaboration, expressing sincere appreciation for his support and adding that he looks forward to fostering closer cooperation between industry and academia in the future.
