KMU Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry (KMUC) Participates in 2026 Indonesia Education Fair, Strengthening Taiwan–Indonesia Talent Development Collaboration

          To support the Ministry of Education’s “International Industrial Talents Education Special Program (INTENSE Program),” the “2026 INTENSE Program Indonesia Overseas Education Fair,” jointly organized by Cheng Shiu University, Chaoyang University of Technology, and Hsing Wu University, was grandly held on April 21, 2026, at Politeknik Negeri Padang (PNP), Indonesia. The event attracted enthusiastic participation from universities and industry representatives from both Taiwan and Indonesia.

           PNP Director Revalin Herdianto noted that the program has been progressively developed through various training models. Among them, the “1+2+1” model allows students to engage in cross-border study and internships between Indonesia and Taiwan, effectively integrating academic learning with industrial practice and enhancing students’ global competitiveness and employability.

           The education fair was attended by distinguished guests, including Oki Earlivan Sampurno, representative of Indonesia’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology; Padang Mayor Fadly Amran; Solok Mayor Ramadhani Kirana Putra; and delegations from multiple Taiwanese partner universities. Representatives from higher education institutions across West Sumatra and polytechnics from various regions of Indonesia also participated. The opening ceremony featured a symbolic drum performance led by key guests, followed by the signing of academic cooperation agreements between Taiwanese and West Sumatran institutions, marking a new milestone in bilateral collaboration.

           Professor Wei-Yu Lin, Chair of the Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry at Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU), represented the university at the event. He engaged directly with students, addressing key concerns such as language requirements, academic environment, internship opportunities, and student support services. He also delivered a 20-minute presentation introducing KMU, the department’s graduate programs, and research strengths, with a special focus on the INTENSE international industry–academia program.

           Professor Lin further highlighted that Indonesian graduates, Muhammad Zulfajri and Dr. Sri Sudewi, have obtained their Ph.D. degrees from KMU and are now serving as associate professors at universities in Indonesia. Their achievements demonstrate the positive impact of KMU’s training and serve as excellent examples of Taiwan–Indonesia academic collaboration.

           The INTENSE program integrates academic and industrial resources through partnerships with companies such as Eternal Materials Co., Ltd., Lishen Technology Co., Ltd., and Eternal Electronic Materials Co., Ltd., providing students with comprehensive training from academic research to industry internships. Additionally, the program offers scholarships to reduce financial barriers for international students and enhance its attractiveness.

          Professor Lin emphasized that Taiwan has strong foundations and global competitiveness in semiconductors, chemical engineering, and materials science. Moving forward, Taiwan will continue to leverage educational and industrial resources to help Southeast Asian students broaden their international perspectives, strengthen professional skills, and expand diverse career opportunities.

           The successful implementation of the “2026 INTENSE Program Indonesia Overseas Education Fair” highlights the growing influence of Taiwan’s higher education in Southeast Asia and further strengthens collaboration between Taiwan and Indonesia in talent cultivation and industry–academia partnerships. In the future, Taiwanese universities will continue to promote high-quality education and competitive tuition advantages through international platforms, attracting more Indonesian and Southeast Asian students to study in Taiwan and jointly create new opportunities for global talent development.

           During this visit, Professor Lin also took the opportunity to visit the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at Universitas Andalas, where he introduced the INTENSE program and delivered an academic lecture. He further engaged in discussions with the department chair and several faculty members regarding potential collaborations between the two institutions.