To deepen smart industry-academia collaboration and sustainable development, the Office of Research and Development at Tamkang University held the “2026 Smart Sustainability Industry-Academia Matchmaking Event” at 9:30 a.m. on May 11 in HC305 and HC306 of the Hsu Shou-Chlien International Conference Center. The event showcased the university’s concrete achievements in digital transformation and academic research, attracting nearly 80 representatives from academia, industry, and government, including the university’s three vice presidents.

Academic Vice President Hui-Huang Hsu stated in his remarks that artificial intelligence and sustainable development are the two most important trends shaping society today. In response, the university has proposed the institutional visions of “AI+SDGs=∞” and “ESG+AI=∞.” He noted that the university’s “All Cloud-Based Smart Campus” initiative has already achieved remarkable results. For example, its Energy Management System (EMS) has received strong recognition from Taiwan’s Ministry of Education, which has also entrusted the university with promoting its energy-saving experience to colleges and universities nationwide. He emphasized that despite the impact of declining birth rates, Tamkang University’s more than 700 full-time faculty members possess strong research and development capabilities and are ready to provide professional support for industry needs at any time.

Betty Hu, Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Affairs, shared government policy perspectives, noting that the government has allocated billions of NT dollars to support AI startup development. Through five major tools—computing power, data, talent, marketing, and funding—the government aims to establish a comprehensive AI industrial ecosystem. She also reminded attendees to pay attention to the risks brought by AI, including technical risks and impacts on society and the environment, urging people to maintain respect for human life amid rapid technological advancement. “People who understand AI will replace those who do not,” she remarked, “but technology can never replace human emotions.”

Te-Sheng Lin, Director of the Department of Academia-Industry Collaboration and Science Park Affairs, National Science and Technology Council, outlined three pathways for commercializing academic research: industry-academia collaboration, technology licensing, and startups. He particularly recommended the “Industry-Academia Alliance” model as an excellent starting point for faculty members to channel research capabilities into industry applications. He stressed that industry-academia collaboration should go beyond merely solving problems and should also involve students, transforming research capacity into practical talent capable of addressing industry workforce shortages.

Terry Tsao, Global Chief Marketing Officer of SEMI and President of SEMI Taiwan, and a Golden Eagle alumnus of Tamkang University’s Department of Mass Communication, emphasized that “sustainable manufacturing” will be key to Taiwan securing international orders amid the current AI wave. He pointed out that sustainability is no longer simply a corporate responsibility but a core competitive advantage. He also praised his alma mater’s strengths in computer science and AI applications, noting that the university is well-positioned to cultivate the semiconductor industry’s most urgently needed talent in AI applications and international management.

Dean of Research and Development Po-Shen Pan demonstrated the “Tamkang University Industry-Academia Data Platform Matching System.” He explained that the system addresses two major challenges in traditional industry-academia collaboration: lengthy matching processes and information asymmetry. By utilizing AI-based structured data processing, the platform can automatically catalog faculty patents, research projects, and expertise keywords, while also analyzing the context and needs of potential corporate partners. The system then provides precise matchmaking recommendation scores and suggested next-step actions. Pan expressed hope that the platform would strengthen the connection between university research results and industry demands, thereby promoting more cross-disciplinary collaboration opportunities.

Dean of the College of Science Hung-Chung Hsueh introduced the college’s advanced synchrotron radiation detection technology, emphasizing that Tamkang University is the only university to invest in the construction, design, and operation of an experimental station at the National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center. The station is capable of providing highly precise atomic-scale detection and simulation services. Chief Information Officer Kuei-Ping Shih reviewed the university’s digital transformation journey from the 1960s to the present, noting that it has now entered the “All Cloud-Based Smart Campus 3.0” stage. Meanwhile, Secretary of the Office of General Affairs Hsin-Chou Yang shared practical examples of energy-saving transformation, introducing the university’s “Digital Twin Energy Management” platform, which uses AI to predict electricity demand and advance the goal of net-zero carbon emissions on campus. During the final “Industry-Academia Matchmaking and Exchange Forum,” representatives from industry and university faculty members engaged in open discussions and networking.

A-Hsueh Lee, Project Manager of Beacon Links Inc., shared that after listening to the presentations, she considered the university highly forward-looking in both research and transformation. She also revealed that the company is actively discussing an AI-based predictive maintenance (PdM) industry-academia collaboration project with the university and expressed strong confidence in future in-depth cooperation.

The event also included an award ceremony recognizing outstanding faculty members under the “2024 Academic Year Special Research Project Achievement Awards.” Academic Vice President Hsu presented the awards in recognition of faculty contributions to academic research. Award recipients included seven faculty members with project funding between NT$3 million and NT$5 million, 56 faculty members with funding between NT$1 million and NT$3 million, and 11 faculty members whose cumulative project funding over the past five years exceeded NT$2.5 million.