National Sun Yat-sen University

Founding

In 1923, two years before his death, the Founding Father of the Republic of China (ROC), Dr. Sun Yat-sen, established two universities, one civil and one military. The civil university was National Kwangtung University (國立廣東大學, renamed National Sun Yat-sen University in 1926), and the military university was Whampoa Military Academy. Both universities generated remarkable contributions and played an important education role in modern Chinese history.

After National Sun Yat-sen University was established in Canton, it was forced south due to the Sino-Japanese War. The university moved first to Yunnan, and later to North Guangdong. Finally, in 1945, the university resumed operations at its original campus in Canton.

In 1949, the government of the Republic of China moved to Taiwan; its alumni relocated accordingly.

Reestablishment

In the 1970s, as Taiwan's overall economic development took off, a phenomenon referred to as the Taiwan Miracle, the community's concern and attention to higher education grew. To balance the development of education in the north and south, the Taiwanese government decided to build a comprehensive university in the south.

In 1980, after Chiang Ching-kuo, the president of Taiwan and an alumnus of Moscow Sun Yat-sen University in USSR, personally approved the campus design under the leadership of Dr. Lee Huan (who later served as the Premier and Minister of Education), the university was established in Sizihwan, Kaohsiung City, the second largest metropolitan area in Taiwan.

Prior to establishing the new university, government officials visited the United States and Japan and strategically decided that NSYSU would focus on graduate schools, modeling it after the advanced technology of California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and the building construction methods of the University of California in San Diego (UCSD), which was designed to resist sea wind erosion. The system of the University of Tsukuba was introduced for the management of university library.^[12]

In its first two decades, NSYSU, similar to the other Sun Yat-sen universities, maintained a nationalist style and mission.

Development

When NSYSU was re-established, the university had four departments, two graduate institutes, and 189 students. In 2002, NSYSU was named by the Ministry of Education as one of the country's seven major research-intensive universities. Two years later, the College of Management became the nation's first Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accredited public university. In addition, NSYSU received a first/second stage grant from the "Aim for the Top University Plan" from the Ministry of Education in 2011 and 2016.

Since 2012, NSYSU has held the "NSYSU & UCSD Joint Symposium" on international academic cooperation.^[13] In the final two months of 2014, Nobel laureates Akira Suzuki and Hiroshi Amano visited the university.

NSYSU has 10 colleges, namely Liberal Arts, Sciences, Engineering, Management, Marine Sciences, Social Sciences, Si-Wan, Medicine, Semiconductor and Advanced Technology Research, and International Finance. These colleges have more than 10,000 students.

NSYSU has been chosen by the Ministry of Education as one of Taiwan's four landmark bilingual universities.^[14]

In 2021, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) affirmed in an official statement that NSYSU, as one of Taiwan's top universities, is also an important promoter of US-Taiwan relations.^[15]

Campus

Sizihwan Campus

See also: Sizihwan and Sizihwan Station

Located alongside the Kaohsiung Harbor and a military base, the NSYSU main campus is surrounded on three sides by mountains and also faces the open waters of the Taiwan Strait, thus making it a natural fortress. The Sizihwan beach (one of Eight Views of Taiwan) is located directly on campus which makes the university campus a very attractive location in Taiwan.^[20] The environmental characteristics are unique in the country, including the nature of the montane ecosystem, marine ecosystem, and coral reefs. In addition to the university buildings on the campus, there also is a seaside resort, a stadium constructed by land reclamation, Sizihwan Tunnel, and historic places remaining from the Japanese ruling era.

The campus is close to the downtown area but far away from congestion and noise of the city. There are only four roads connecting the campus to the outside city, all the lanes are close to the mountains and the sea, and the terrain is challenging. NSYSU faculty and students who residing on campus live amongst a variety of wildlife. There are a large number of Formosan rock macaques, cockatoos, Pallas's squirrels, and Reeves's muntjacs, and the campus area is rich in natural ecology. However, a near-daily occurrence involves macaques snatching food from students and breaking into dormitories and classrooms. In addition, the Sizihwan waters are inhabited by the endangered coral species Polycyanthus chiashanensis, with only about 50 remaining.^[21][22]

Campus buildings and Sizihwan Bay

Sizihwan historic places

Imperial Guesthouse

From April 21 to 22, 1923, Prince Hirohito visited the Takao Port to inspect Kongō Maru. He lived in the Takao Mountain Guesthouse (打狗山賓館) a.k.a. Takao Imperial Guesthouse (高雄泊御所), which was newly-built. To celebrate the birthday of Prince Hirohito on April 29, Den Kenjirō, the Governor-General of Taiwan, renamed the Kotobuki-yama Hotel (寿山館). After the Government of the Republic of China took over Taiwan, Kotobuki-yama territory became a military control district, and then Guesthouse was dismantled. The site is now a dormitory for faculty and staff of National Sun Yat-sen University.^[23][24]

Sizihwan Tunnel

Sizihwan Tunnel was completed in October 1928, and at that time it was called Kotobuki-yama Do (寿山洞), connecting (at that time) Sizihwan and downtown Takao. Currently, it connects National Sun Yat-sen University and Hamasen.

Sizihwan Guesthouse of Chiang Kai-shek

In 1937, the Imperial Japanese Navy built a two-story building named Takao Sightseeing Hall (高雄観光館). After the R.O.C. government took over Taiwan, it became one of Guesthouses of Chiang Kai-shek. President Chiang Kai-shek and his madame lived at the Guesthouse each time they traveled to southern Taiwan. In 1980, the building was transferred to National Sun Yat-sen University, and in 1999 it was given another name, Sizihwan Art Gallery. In 2004, the gallery was designated as a Kaohsiung City Historic Site.^[25]

Pratas Island

In 2012 NSYSU Dongsha Atoll Research Station (DARS) was established for biology, biogeochemistry, and oceanography research.^[28]

Overseas research center

Colleges

NSYSU has eight colleges:

• Engineering
• Liberal Arts
• Management
• Marine Sciences
• Medicine
• Science
• Social Sciences
• Si-Wan

Research

Despite its small-to-medium size, National Sun Yat-sen University has always had outstanding research capabilities. The "Asia Pacific Ocean Research Center" at NSYSU is a world-class Kuroshio research center, it possesses the most advanced marine current power generation technology worldwide.^[32] The "Electronic Commerce and Internet Society Research Center" at NSYSU is the only social science research center in Taiwan that has been selected for the European Commission's 7th Framework Programme (FP7) SSH-NCP.

NSYSU manages one of Taiwan's three Marine research vessels, the Ocean Researcher 3. In 2019, National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) built a new generation of research vessels for it.^[33]

As of 2024, NSYSU had 45 research centers,^[34] including the following most important key centers:

Higher Education Sprout Project Featured Research Center

• Intelligent Electronic Commerce Research Center
• Center of Crystal Research
• Center for Strategy and Human Capital Research
• Assessment Research Center
• 6G Communication and Sensing Research Center
• Center of Excellence for Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver (CEMAFLD)

Tier-1 Certified Research Center

• Sun Yat-sen Research Center for Social Science
• Multidisciplinary and Data Science Research Center (MDSRC)
• Management Studies Research Center
• Engineer Technology Research & Promotion Center
• Frontier Center for Ocean Science and Technology
• Center for the Humanities
• Academia Research Center of Underwater Vehicles(ARCUV)

Rankings

National Sun Yat-sen University has been ranked consistently among the top 4 or 5 universities nationally in QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and Academic Ranking of World Universities.

• QS World University Rankings

According to QS World University Rankings (2023), NSYSU is the 4th-ranked university in Taiwan (412rd worldwide).^[39]

• Times Higher Education

According to Times Higher Education (2024), NSYSU is the 7th-ranked public university in Taiwan (138th Asia; 610-800th worldwide).^[40][41]

• Academic Ranking of World Universities

According to Academic Ranking of World Universities (2021), NSYSU ranks #7 among Taiwan's national universities (601-700th worldwide).^[37]

Mathematics: 75-100th, 1st in Taiwan (2015).^[42]

Oceanography: 101-150th, 2nd in Taiwan (2020)^[43]

Engineering: 101-150th (2016)^[42]

Computer science: 151-200th (2015)^[42]

Telecommunication Engineering: 151-200th (2020)^[43]

• Round University Ranking

According to Round University Ranking (2024), NSYSU is the 5th-ranked university in Taiwan (333rd worldwide).

• THE 100 Under 50 university rankings

According to the Times Higher Education ranking of the 100 best universities under the age of 50 (2020), NSYSU ranks as the 6th university in Taiwan (201-250th worldwide).^[44]

• THES - QS World University Rankings

According to the THES - QS World University Rankings, NSYSU ranks among the world's 500 best universities, ranked at 401+ (2009).

• Global Views Monthly Taiwan University Rankings

In the 2023 list, NSYSU ranked 5th among comprehensive universities.^[45] In addition, it ranked:

2nd in social prestige

5th in industry-university cooperation

6th in internationalization

6th in teaching performance

• Financial Times - Executive MBA Ranking

According to Financial Times (2023), NSYSU's Global EMBA programme ranked 88th in the Executive MBA rankings,^[46] and IBMBA programme ranked 75th in the FT Masters in Management Ranking,^[47] and was the only ranked institution from Taiwan.^[46]

• Eduniversal World TOP 300 Business School

According to Eduniversal,^[48] among the ranked fields, NSYSU's maritime management ranks first in Asia.

Taiwan	Business School Level	2023 Recommendation Rate (per 1000)	School
1	UNIVERSAL	252 ‰	National Taiwan University - College of Management
2	TOP	164 ‰	National Chengchi University - College of Commerce
3	TOP	140 ‰	National Sun Yat-sen University - College of Management
4	EXCELLENT	104 ‰	Taiwan Tech - School of Management
5	EXCELLENT	60 ‰	Fu Jen Catholic University - College of Management
6	EXCELLENT	56 ‰	National Yang MIng Chiao Tung University - College of Management
7	GOOD	72 ‰	National Cheng Kung University - College of Management

• Other Rankings:
  • 19th worldwide (2nd in Taiwan) in Public Administration/Management.^[49]
  • 24th worldwide (1st in Asia) in Maritime Management.^[49]
  • 91st worldwide (1st in Taiwan) in Health Management^[49]
  • 6th in Far East Asia (1st in Taiwan) in Human Resources Management^[49]
  • 9th in Far East Asia (1st in Taiwan) in Corporate Communication^[49]
  • 15th in Far East Asia (1st in Taiwan) in Information Systems Management^[49]
  • 23rd in Far East Asia in Corporate Finance^[49]
  • 28th in Far East Asia in Executive MBA^[49]

Distinctive Government Think Tanks

The US, EU, and Japanese offices

Founded under the auspices of the United States government, European Commission, and Japanese government: the Sun Yat-sen American Center (est.1999), European Union Centre at NSYSU (est.2009), and Center for Japanese Studies at NSYSU (est.2010) are Southern Taiwan's only official office for political and academic exchanges.^[50][51][52]

Lee Teng-hui Center for Governmental Studies

Named in honor of former Taiwanese president Lee Teng-hui, the "Lee Teng-hui Center for Governmental Studies" established on February 1, 2017 (succeeding the "Dr. Teng-Hui Lee Political Economy Seminar," founded in 2002). The center serves as a regional think tank, with the purpose of providing prescient and integrated research or advice for governmental policies and social issues.^[53]

Center for Market Research and Public Opinion Polling

The Center for Market Research and Public Opinion Polling at NSYSU is the most important social science research center and public opinion survey unit in Southern Taiwan. The Center and National Chengchi University's Election Study Center are listed as Taiwan's two major university polling institutions.^[54]

University alliances

NSYSU is a member of University Academic Alliance in Taiwan (UAAT). The members include twelve universities such as National Taiwan University, National Taiwan Normal University, National Cheng Kung University, National Tsing Hua University, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, National Chengchi University, and National Taiwan University of Science and Technology. ^[55]

NSYSU is part of the Taiwan Comprehensive University System, which includes National Chung Cheng University, National Chung Hsing University, and National Cheng Kung University. ^[56]

NSYSU formed an alliance with Kaohsiung Medical University to allow students from both schools to take courses and choose majors beyond the typical limits of public and private universities.^[57]

NSYSU is a member of EUTW university alliance, Pacific Asian Consortium for International Business Education and Research (PACIBER),^[58] Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE),^[59] Taiwan-UK University Consortium,^[60] Taiwan University Alliance for Sustainable Governance,^[61]and Association of Asia-Pacific Business Schools (AAPBS).^[62]

Benchmark Partner institutions

• University of California, San Diego (UCSD), the United States
• University of Gent (UGENT), Netherlands ^[63]

International Cooperation

NSYSU has established 307 partners in 44 countries across Europe, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. At the same time, it has signed dual /accelerated degree agreements with 30 overseas universities. Some of the sister relationships are listed below: the University of Pennsylvania, UCLA, UCSD, UC Riverside, Case Western Reserve University, Temple University, Texas A&M University System in the US.Australian National University, Queensland University of Technology in Australia. University of Bristol, University of Essex in the UK. Linköping University, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Linnaeus University in Sweden. Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, University of Hamburg, University of Cologne, University of Freiburg in Germany. McGill University, University of Ottawa, University of Victoria in Canada. Sapienza University of Rome, Polytechnic University of Milan in Italy. Nanyang Technological University, National University of Singapore, Singapore Management University in the Singapore. The University of Tokyo, Hokkaido University, Kyoto University, Kyushu University, Tohoku University, Hiroshima University, Waseda University in Japan. Korea University, Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Sungkyunkwan University in South Korea. Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University in Thailand. University of Malaya in Malaysia. Peking University, Tsinghua University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Fudan University, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhejiang University in the Chinese mainland. The Chinese University of Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong in HK. University of Macau in Macao. Moscow State University in Russia.^[64]

NSYSU has been chosen by the Ministry of Education as one of Taiwan's four landmark bilingual universities.^[65] NSYSU signed the Taiwan Huayu BEST Program partnership with West Virginia University, George Mason University, University of Kansas, and Utah State University.^[66]

NSYSU and Middlebury College have formed an alliance to establish "Middlebury School in Taiwan."^[67] The College of Management at National Sun Yat-sen University, in collaboration with the University of Victoria and JKU Linz, jointly organizes the ACT Global Program. ^[68] Additionally, NSYSU has established the Cross-strait EMBA (CSEMBA) program in collaboration with Tongji University. ^[69] NSYSU is a member of Open Society University Network (OSUN).^[70]

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the U.S. think tank East-West Center, organizes the Pacific Islands Leadership Program (PILP). NSYSU is responsible for part of the training program during the Taiwan phase.^[71]

The Ministry of Education entrusted NSYSU with the responsibility of operating the Taiwan Education Center in the Philippines.

NSYSU has an active International Student Association. In 2009-2010 well over 250 international students were members of the ISA association at NSYSU, participating in over 20 student events. ISA has five key points: Student Services, Public Services, Social Events, Sports, and Scholarship. The 2010-2011 International Student Executive Board will tentatively be elected in the fall of 2010 at NSYSU. The Office of International Affairs at NSYSU traditionally has monitored the election process.

Taiwan's first P.R.C. and Burkina Faso student to receive a doctorate are both graduates of the NSYSU Institute of China and Asia-Pacific Studies. ^[72][73]