Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU) hosted a distinguished delegation from India's Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) on February 24, 2026, marking a significant step toward enhancing international academic and research partnerships. Led by VIT Chancellor Dr. G. Viswanathan and the Vice President for International Affairs Dr. R. Seenivasan and Dr. M. Manikandan, Head of the Department of Design and Automation, School of Mechanical Engineering, along with other distinguished faculty members, the visit focused on exploring KMU's innovative International Master's Program for Talent Cultivation in Chemistry and Electronic Materials Industries (INTENSE Program) and discussing potential collaborations in student recruitment and joint initiatives.

The meeting, held from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM in the Fourth Meeting Room of KMU's Li-Hsueh Building, provided a platform for in-depth exchanges on fostering global talent in chemistry and related fields. KMU representatives, including KMU Vice President for International Affairs Dr. Chia-Lin Kao, Dean of the College of Health Sciences Dr. Lan-Yuen Guo, Dean of the College of Life Sciences Dr. Sodio Hsu, and Chair of the Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry (KMUC), Dr.Wei-Yu Lin, engaged with the VIT delegation in productive discussions. Topics included dual-degree master's programs, research exchanges, and strategies to promote the INTENSE Program to Indian students.

"This visit underscores KMU's commitment to internationalization and innovation in life sciences," said Prof. Sodio CN Hsu, Dean, College of Life Sciences (KMULF). "By partnering with prestigious institutions like VIT, we aim to bridge chemistry with medicine, offering students cutting-edge opportunities in interdisciplinary research and industry."

The INTENSE Program, a fully English-taught master's initiative under KMU's College of Life Sciences, is designed to cultivate talents for Taiwan's thriving chemical and electronic materials sectors. Supported by industry leaders such as Eternal Materials Co., Ltd., Resound Technology Inc., and Consistent Electronic Materials Inc., the program offers full scholarships, including tuition waivers, monthly stipends of up to NT$10,000–NT$30,000 during internships, administrative fees, and one-way flight allowances. Key highlights include hands-on experience with advanced research techniques, interdisciplinary coursework in chemistry and life sciences, and guaranteed employment opportunities in Taiwan post-graduation. International graduates are required to work with sponsoring companies for a duration equivalent to their scholarship period, with benefits comparable to those of local employees.

KMU's Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry (KMUC) stands out for its excellence, ranking #5 in Taiwan for chemistry according to the Nature Index (2023 #5, 2024 #5) and globally around 300. The visit also highlighted KMU's growing international student community, which has seen an annual increase from 10 in 2014 to 35 in 2025. Alumni from the program have gone on to prominent positions worldwide, including professorships at SRM University (India), Universitas Sam Ratulangi (Indonesia), and Universitas Serambi Mekkah (Indonesia), as well as roles in leading institutions like the University of Alberta (Canada) and the University of Cincinnati (USA).

Following the discussions, the delegation enjoyed lunch and further talks on student and research exchanges. This event builds on KMU's Taiwan Experience Education Program (TEEP@KMUC), which offers global internships in chemical sciences with stipends up to NT$15,000 per month, and aligns with national initiatives like the 2026 International Internship Pilot Program (IIPP) by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC).

For more information on the INTENSE Program and application details (open from February 2 to March 16, 2026), visit https://chem.kmu.edu.tw/index.php/en-gb/students/new-students/intense-program.

KMU continues to foster global collaborations, embodying its motto: "Integrity, Internationalization, Intelligence, Integration, Impact." This partnership with VIT promises to unlock new avenues for talent development where chemistry meets medicine.