The Department of Biomechatronics Engineering at the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST) recently welcomed a visiting delegation from Kasetsart University (KU), Thailand. The delegation was led by Dr. Chatchawan Jantasuriyarat, an associate professor of the KU Department of Genetics and deputy director of their school’s International Affairs Office. NPUST and KU have enjoyed a sister school relationship for over 25 years, and during this most recent exchange the two sides formally signed a new version of a bilateral memorandum of understanding (MOU) to deepen their cooperation in the fields of smart agricultural, agricultural machinery and equipment innovation, and also to bolster student exchanges and internship programs. This signing of the agreement not only symbolizes an upgrading of the stable and long-term partnership the two schools share, but will also inject new vitality into regional agricultural science and technology development and international talent cultivation.
Since first establishing a sister school relationship, NPUST and KU have maintained close cooperation in key areas of mutual academic interest, such as agricultural science, food science, and veterinary medicine. They have also promoted dual-degree programs in the Department of Food Science and the Department of Biomechatronics Engineering, jointly cultivating students with international outlooks and practical skills. The itinerary for the current visit was diverse and substantial, with meetings, results sharing, and guided tours. The KU delegation first met with a number of faculty and students from the Department of Biomechatronics Engineering, during which time both sides shared some of their latest research results and had in-depth discussions on avenues that they would like to pursue for future cooperation. Later, the delegation visited several research laboratories at the Department of Biomechatronics Engineering and learned about their focuses of research. As they were introduced to the work being done, the visitors expressed high appreciation for the achievements that the department has made in the fields of agricultural technology, smart machinery, and bio-mechatronics.
In the past two years, with support from the university and Ministry of Education and the university, the Department of Biomechatronics Engineering has sent ten teachers and students to KU for overseas internships. This year, students from the KU’s Department of Genetics also participated in the Ministry of Education’s Taiwan Experience Education Program and studied at the NPUST Department of Biomechatronics Engineering. The signing of the new version of the MOU reflects the desire that both sides share to continue to work together to start a new phase of closer academic and research cooperation and joint talent cultivation.
