South Taiwan GLORIA Expands Opportunities for Cross-Border Technology Collaboration

National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU) welcomed a delegation of industry representatives from Singapore and Malaysia on October 22–23, 2026. Through industry–academia exchanges, research demonstrations, and cross-university technology matchmaking, the visit promoted international collaboration in artificial intelligence, smart agriculture, biotechnology, natural plant fibers, and forest carbon sinks. The two-day exchange identified four preliminary areas for cooperation and initiated discussions on a memorandum of understanding (MOU), highlighting the potential to connect Southern Taiwan’s research innovations with Southeast Asian markets.

The delegation included representatives from the International Association for Agricultural Sustainability (IAAS), Vulcan BioEnergy, Malaysia’s Kingwood Group, the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (STATOS), and Tanjung Manis Resources. Professor San-Yih Hwang, Executive Director of South Taiwan GLORIA (STG), noted that the platform, led by NSYSU, brings together the research capabilities of 11 universities and colleges across Southern Taiwan. By connecting academic research with industry needs and facilitating cross-border technology matchmaking, STG aims to accelerate research commercialization and strengthen connections with international markets.

The exchange showcased a range of innovative technologies with commercialization potential. Professor Keng-Leng Chang, Director of NSYSU’s Institute of Environmental Engineering, presented research on agricultural waste valorization and circular economy technologies. Professor Chun-Hung Lin, Executive Director of NSYSU’s Autonomous UAV and AI Robotics Research Center, introduced AI-powered UAV technologies and proposed the “Oil Palm UAV Inspection” concept, exploring opportunities for smart technology applications in Southeast Asia’s agricultural and forestry sectors. Associate Professor Hung-Jen Chen of Shu-Te University presented research on Calotropis gigantea, natural plant fibers, and sustainable materials. Assistant Professor You-Ren Wang of NSYSU’s Department of Marine Environment and Engineering shared research on forest carbon sinks, peat swamp forests, and mangrove blue carbon, exploring potential collaboration involving forest resources in Sarawak, Malaysia, and international carbon markets.

Additional interdisciplinary research demonstrated diverse opportunities for practical applications. Professor Ying-Che Huang of NSYSU presented research on smart aquaculture technologies, while Professor Cheng-Hsin Chuang of the Institute of Medical Science and Technology introduced the “Application of a Portable Creatinine Detector for Muscle Reserve and Health Management in Dairy Cows,” highlighting developments in smart livestock management and biomedical sensing. Professor Yun-Yang Chao of the Department of Plant Industry and Associate Professor Wei Long, Chair of the Department of Wood Science and Design at National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST), also exchanged research findings with the delegation on rice yield improvement, stress tolerance technologies, high-value applications of bamboo and wood materials, and circular utilization of agricultural by-products, exploring further opportunities for cross-border industry collaboration.

The two-day exchange identified four preliminary areas for cooperation: agricultural waste recycling and valorization; forest carbon sinks and mangrove blue-carbon credits; plant fibers and green materials; and rice yield improvement and sustainable agriculture technologies. Moving forward, STG will continue engaging with industry partners to explore potential collaboration models, including technology validation, technology licensing, and industry–academia research projects, with the aim of translating research outcomes into practical applications.

South Taiwan GLORIA (STG) will continue strengthening cross-university research integration and international industry–academia matchmaking, fostering closer partnerships with industry stakeholders in Singapore and Malaysia. By connecting Southern Taiwan’s research capabilities with international markets, STG aims to advance research commercialization and enhance the global visibility of Southern Taiwan’s innovations.