A six-student team named “Aerial Codename X” from the Smart Mechatronics Bachelor Degree Program at National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST)—consisting of Yu-Hsiang Wu, Tien-Chun Wang, Po-Hsuan Chen, Chien-Hao Chen, Sheng-Chun Li, and Yu-Sheng Pan—demonstrated strong cross-disciplinary capabilities at the “2026 Taiwan UAV Creative Design Competition” by soaring up to fifth place overall in “Aircraft Design Category” (university division) and ranking second among all participating universities of science and technology. Notably, half of the members in this team, advised by Professor Hudson Hsu of the NPUST Smart Mechatronics Bachelor Degree Program and Associate Professor Chia-Wei Hsu of National Formosa University, are “Vision Scholars” (under the Ministry of Education’s Vision Program). Possessing a passion for cross-disciplinary learning, these students from non-aviation backgrounds successfully designed an aircraft and took to the skies.
Advising Professor Hudson Hsu stated that participating in this competition was an arduous challenge, which required the students to start from scratch. The team had to acquire foundational aviation knowledge and gradually master professional flight principles, aerodynamics, structural design, material selection, manufacturing, assembly, and flight testing. For the students, the journey repeatedly presented them with complex engineering challenge related to weight control, structural strength, and flight stability.
Associate Professor Chia-Wei Hsu pointed out that through the hands-on process, students developed problem-solving and system integration skills, and used their diverse professional backgrounds to create new opportunities through cross-disciplinary collaboration. Particularly noteworthy were the Vision Scholars, who previously demonstrated their capability to leverage university and Ministry of Education resources. By bravely venturing beyond their own disciplines in this contest, they proved that students given the right opportunities can shatter background limitations and even take on the field of aerospace.
NPUST stated that it will continue to promote cross-disciplinary courses, hands-on competitions, and Vision Scholar cultivation mechanisms so that students will have more opportunities to turn their dreams into realities. Through comprehensive practical training guided by its school motto of “caring for others and seeking the truth from facts,” the university will persistently integrate various fields of study and bring together professional faculty from various departments for joint research. By combining aerospace technology with agricultural development, the NPUST aims to cultivate interdisciplinary, hands-on talent for Taiwan’s drone and low-altitude economy industries and continue to help its students soar.
