To deepen substantive cooperation in higher education and industrial talent between Taiwan and Thailand, Dr. Chin-Lung Chang, President of National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST) and project director of the Taiwan-Thailand INTACT Base, along with Dr. Tao-Ming Cheng, President of the co-convening institution, Chaoyang University of Technology (CYUT), were invited to attend the \u201cPresidents\u2019 Engagement Forum on Technology and Innovation\u201d on June 8 (2026). The forum was held at the Kantary Hills Hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand. During the event, the Taiwan-Thailand INTACT Base signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with 18 Thai universities to jointly promote Taiwan\u2019s \u201cINTENSE Program,\u201d marking a new milestone in bilateral talent circulation and cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The forum took place in the Doi Suthep Room at the Kantary Hills Hotel, Chiang Mai. The event commenced with a warm welcome speech by Dr. Weerapon Thongma, President of Maejo University, followed by a keynote speech on \u201cThe National Innovation Agency\u2019s Policy for Supporting the Second University Group,\u201d delivered by Dr. Krithpaka Boonfueng, Executive Director of the National Innovation Agency (NIA) in Thailand. Subsequently, NPUST President Chin-Lung Chang and CYUT President Tao-Ming Cheng co-chaired a special presentation titled \u201cThe Development of the INTACT Base at Maejo University in Northern Thailand.\u201d Director Jui-Ching Ko and Director Hai-Lung Liu, representing the Bangkok and Chiang Mai branch offices respectively, then outlined the concrete implementation blueprint and future vision of the project to elite members of Thailand\u2019s political and academic spheres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President Chin-Lung Chang stated that the core concept of the base revolves around \u201ccirculation\u201d, representing a two-way flow of talent and knowledge. Through Taiwan\u2019s INTENSE Program, outstanding Thai students will receive full scholarships and advanced professional training, alongside opportunities to intern at top Taiwanese enterprises specializing in high-growth sectors such as smart manufacturing, semiconductors, modern agriculture, and artificial intelligence (AI). Whether these young professionals choose to advance their careers in Taiwan or return to Thailand after graduation, they will serve as vital drivers for industrial upgrades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his speech, CYUT President Cheng noted that over its 32 years of educational development, the university has evolved from a local institution into a prominent international university. It has been featured in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for nine consecutive years and has secured the top spot among private universities of technology in Taiwan in the QS World University Rankings for three consecutive years. Furthermore, CYUT possesses globally recognized academic strengths in sustainable development (ranking among the top 100 globally in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings for nine consecutive years and performing strongly in the THE Impact Rankings), as well as in computer science, engineering, business management, and education. President Cheng emphasized that the Taiwan-Thailand INTACT Base, situated at Maejo University and Chiang Mai, will serve as a critical hub for delivering the \u201cINTENSE Program\u201d to Thai partners. CYUT aims to position itself as an efficient, agile, and reliable partner, fully dedicated to helping Thai faculty and students master advanced technologies to solve real-world problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Witnessed by representatives from all participating parties, the Taiwan-Thailand INTACT Base officially signed the MOU with 18 Thai higher education institutions. The signatory universities include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n