NYCU unveiled its themed pavilion at InnoVEX 2024, presenting its largest and most diverse array of cutting-edge startup and R&D achievements. The exhibition aims to fast-track collaboration opportunities between emerging startups and industry leaders.


Edited by Chance Lai


A New Chapter in Academia-Industry Collaboration

“With over 150 faculty members spanning fields from semiconductors and IC design to AI robotics and next-gen communications, our college is uniquely positioned to transform research into real-world applications,” said Professor Li-Chun Wang, Dean of the College. “The Innovation Alliance is not only a platform — it’s a movement to establish Taiwan as a global engine of technological advancement.”

Associate Dean Ke-Hong Chen emphasized the vital role of academia in amplifying Taiwan’s industrial strengths. “Taiwan’s semiconductor edge depends not only on corporate innovation but also on academic breakthroughs. Our faculty’s deep technical expertise aligns perfectly with industry demands for disruptive technologies.”


Three Strategic Goals of the Innovation Alliance

1. Nurturing Future Talent
With over 100 PhD candidates and robust industry-academic master’s programs, the college offers students hands-on product development experience during their studies. This real-world exposure equips graduates with highly sought-after skills.

2. Accelerating Tech Commercialization
The Alliance aims to fast-track the commercialization of cutting-edge research, helping innovations transition from lab to market through collaborative projects with industry partners.

3. Securing Industry Investment
The Alliance will enhance the college’s research environment through targeted funding and corporate engagement, propelling innovation and scaling breakthrough technologies.
 

Success Stories: Academia Meets Innovation

The launch event featured faculty members who showcased thriving startup ventures born from academic research, demonstrating the transformative potential of university-industry collaboration:

• Professor Bing-Fei Wu founded FaceHeart Inc., developing non-contact AI technologies that allow heart rate and blood pressure monitoring via smartphone or camera. The technology has received Class II FDA certification and won the CES Innovation Awards for two consecutive years.
• Professor Jiun-In Kuo launched J-Kuei Smart, a company specializing in AI model compression. Its applications span smart transportation, manufacturing, and healthcare. The company is now preparing for an IPO.
• Professor Kuan-Yu Chen established Jiunang BioMed, a startup focused on organ-on-chip technology integrated with generative AI and smart medical solutions for drug development. The company raised NT$72 million in its first year, backed by several publicly listed firms.
• Professor Ming-Chun Li co-founded Trenlogy, targeting smart radar sensing for transportation, environmental monitoring, and 6G communications. The company plans to complete its Series A funding round within two to three years.

Leading Taiwan’s Tech Future

With the establishment of the Innovation Alliance, NYCU’s ECE is set to push the frontiers of semiconductor, AI, and communications technologies. From cultivating elite talent to commercializing transformative research, the Alliance is poised to elevate Taiwan’s global standing in technological innovation and usher in a new era of academia-industry synergy.


Professor Bing-Fei Wu has developed an innovative non-contact AI technology that can measure heart rate and blood pressure in just 60 seconds by analyzing facial imagery.