Nestled amid the lush landscapes of Chiayi County in southern Taiwan, National Chung Cheng University (CCU) has rapidly emerged as one of Taiwan‘s leading comprehensive research universities. Since its founding in 1989, the university has combined academic excellence, cutting-edge research, and a commitment to international engagement, creating an inspiring environment where innovation flourishes and future leaders are cultivated.
Comprising seven colleges — Humanities, Sciences, Social Sciences, Engineering, Management, Law, and Education — CCU offers a broad spectrum of academic programs and fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to address today’s global challenges.
Academic excellence recognized worldwide
CCU’s growing international reputation is reflected in its outstanding research achievements. In the 2025 Stanford University World’s Top 2% Scientists rankings, 18 faculty members were recognized for their career-long scientific impact, while another 12 were listed among the world’s most influential researchers based on their annual achievements.
The university also continues to perform strongly in the QS World University Rankings by Subject. Classical and Ancient History ranked 31st globally and second in Taiwan, earning recognition under the Taiwan Ministry of Education’s “World Excellence 100” Project. Sociology, Law, and Computer Science & Information Systems were also ranked internationally, while Social Sciences ranked in the top 1% in Essential Science Indicators (ESI). Meanwhile, CCU’s Accounting Information Systems research ranked No. 1 in Asia and 31st worldwide, highlighting the university’s strength across diverse disciplines.
Turning research into real-world innovation
Innovation at CCU extends well beyond the laboratory. In 2025 alone, the university secured 692 industry-academia collaborative research projects with total funding exceeding NT$900 million (US$28 million), demonstrating strong partnerships with both public and private sectors. Faculty members obtained 33 domestic and international patents, while the university’s technology commercialization program has successfully incubated eight startup companies with a combined paid-in capital of more than NT$313 million (US$9.8 million).
Student innovation is equally impressive. CCU has nurtured 247 entrepreneurial teams and helped establish 50 startup companies. Its students have earned six Gold Medals and three Silver Medals in the prestigious International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as well as numerous awards in IEEE international design competitions.
In another groundbreaking achievement, CCU’s Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering successfully exported the results of Taiwan’s national AI research program to India, establishing the world’s first Federated Multimodal AI Smart City Governance Platform, demonstrating the university’s leadership in artificial intelligence and smart city technologies.
Serving society through knowledge
Beyond academic excellence, CCU embraces its social responsibility by applying research to improve communities. Through its University Social Responsibility (USR) initiatives, National Chung Cheng University established Chiayi County’s first Dedicated Dementia Care Center, integrating healthcare resources with community services to support healthy aging. It also works closely with Indigenous Tsou communities and local industries to preserve cultural heritage, promote regional revitalization, and advance sustainable development.
International academic exchange is another hallmark of CCU. The university regularly hosts major international conferences, including the Taiwan Epigenomics and Translational Medicine International Symposium, bringing together leading researchers from the United States, Japan, Thailand, India, Hong Kong, and Taiwan to foster global scientific collaboration.
A truly global campus
Internationalization remains one of CCU’s defining strengths. The university has established partnerships with 291 universities across five continents, creating extensive opportunities for student exchanges, dual-degree programs, joint research, faculty collaboration, and international internships.
In support of Taiwan’s 2030 Bilingual Nation Policy, the Colleges of Engineering, Education, and Management have become key bilingual education centers, offering an expanding selection of English-taught courses. International students also benefit from generous scholarships, Chinese-language programs, and a dedicated Buddy System that helps them adapt quickly to campus life. CCU has consistently ranked first nationwide in Taiwan’s TEEP (Taiwan Experience Education Program), reflecting its success in attracting outstanding young researchers from around the world.
One of Taiwan’s most beautiful universities
Academic excellence is complemented by an exceptional campus environment. Covering 132 hectares, CCU is widely regarded as one of Taiwan’s most beautiful universities. More than 200,000 trees, tranquil lakes, elegant architecture, and its iconic pyramid-shaped administration building create a picturesque setting that has even served as a filming location for the popular television drama Meteor Garden.
Students also enjoy outstanding recreational facilities, including an Olympic-standard swimming pool, a climbing wall, a golf driving range, and a modern fitness center. Combined with Chiayi’s affordable cost of living, CCU offers international students an exceptional quality of life at a significantly lower cost than many major cities across Asia.
Building tomorrow through innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration
As Taiwan continues to strengthen its role in global higher education, National Chung Cheng University is positioning itself at the forefront of research, innovation, and international collaboration. By combining academic excellence, industry partnerships, social engagement, and a welcoming multicultural environment, CCU is preparing the next generation of innovators, researchers, and global citizens. More than simply a university, it is a place where knowledge meets purpose, ideas become solutions, and tomorrow’s leaders are inspired to make a lasting impact on the world.
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