2025 marks a significant milestone for ISU as it
celebrates its 35th anniversary. Since its founding in 1990, ISU has remained
true to its four core values: Innovation, Excellence, Service, and
Internationalization, earning a distinguished reputation in higher education.
From modest beginnings to dynamic growth and transformation, ISU has
established itself as a leading international comprehensive university in
Taiwan. Over the years, ISU has achieved outstanding accomplishments across
various domains, including international academic exchange, industry-university
collaboration, advances in the medical field, and sustainable development,
positioning itself as a model institution that combines professional expertise
with a strong commitment to social responsibility.
Established as Kaohsiung Polytechnic Institute, ISU was renamed I-Shou University in 1997, marking the start of its evolution into a comprehensive university. Today, ISU consists of eight colleges: the College of Intelligent Science and Technology, the College of Engineering, the College of Management, the College of Communication and Design, the College of Tourism and Hospitality, the International College, the College of Medicine, and the College of Medical Science and Technology. These colleges cover a broad and well-rounded spectrum of disciplines, including humanities, sciences, engineering, business, medicine, and design, showcasing ISU’s unique strengths in interdisciplinary integration and holistic education.
ISU centers its development on “Interdisciplinary
Innovation and Global Competitiveness,” with “Medicine × Smart Technology” as
its core focus, committed to nurturing international talents equipped with the
knowledge and practical skills needed for the new era. To bring this vision to
life, ISU has established a range of cutting-edge learning and research
facilities, including the AI Innovation Center, the Metaverse Technology Art
Design Center, the New Media Learning and Creation Center, the Cooking Studio
& Library, the Intelligent Medical Teaching Center, the Intelligent Design
and Manufacturing Center, the Semiconductor Virtual Process Zone, and the Semiconductor
Process Demonstration Zone. Guided by a philosophy that equally values teaching
and research, ISU actively fosters innovation in education by integrating
digital technology and generative AI, creating a smart learning environment.
Its research spans intelligent manufacturing, green energy, precision medicine,
AI applications, and cultural creativity, steadily building cross-college and
interdisciplinary research platforms. Through these efforts, ISU is progressing
steadily toward becoming a model institution in higher education where
innovation and practical application go hand in hand.
ISU is dedicated to fostering a diverse and interdisciplinary
learning environment, achieving remarkable outcomes in educational innovation,
talent cultivation, and international exchange. In terms of local engagement, ISU
has devoted sustained efforts to developing the unique industries of Kaohsiung
and southern Taiwan, launching University Social Responsibility (USR) projects
aligned with regional needs, such as “Xin Yuan Geng Xin: A Circular New Economy
for Smart and Sustainable Agriculture,” “Meinong Generational Harmony: A
Sustainable Path of Hakka Culture and Healthy Living,” and “Yanchao
Senior-Friendly Lab: Creating an All-Age Smart Living Community,” to generate a
positive impact on local development. At the same time, ISU promotes industry-university
collaboration, assisting local industries in digital transformation, low-carbon
upgrading, and smart innovation. For example, ISU forms an industrial alliance
with southern Taiwan’s metal fastener manufacturers to help them respond to
carbon tariffs and ESG trends, reflecting ISU’s integrated capabilities and
forward-looking vision in technological applications and business services.
Internationalization is one of ISU’s key strengths
and defining features. Currently, the campus is home to around 1,500
international students from over 40 countries, and offers multiple degree
programs taught entirely in English. ISU has also forged partnerships with
institutions worldwide, facilitating diverse opportunities for student
exchange, dual-degree programs, and overseas internships. ISU is not only a hub
that attracts global talents, but also a vital platform for equipping local
students with a global perspective. In addition, ISU has signed a student
exchange agreement with National Cheng Kung University, enabling the two
leading institutions in southern Taiwan to expand international learning
pathways jointly. This partnership reflects the spirit of “sharing resources
and co-creating scholarship,” demonstrating ISU’s educational strategy of being
rooted in the south while embracing the world, and fostering talents ready to
excel on the global stage.
ISU has consistently grown steadily, earning widespread
recognition in various domestic and international evaluations and rankings. It
has been honored as one of the “Top Universities Favored by Employers” and has
achieved notable results in the Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact
Rankings and Asia University Rankings, highlighting its growing influence on
the global higher education stage. ISU has met all standards set by the HEEACT
for both institutional and program accreditation, as well as by the IEET for
engineering accreditation. Furthermore, in 2021, the College of Management, the
International College, and the College of Tourism and Hospitality once again
secured the continuous improvement CIR accreditation for international business
education, reaffirming their international standing since first obtaining it in
2016. This accomplishment reflects their ongoing dedication to excellence in
business education and a high level of professionalism and stability in
teaching quality and institutional operations.
At the significant milestone of its 35th anniversary, ISU
reflects on its remarkable achievements and charts a forward-looking blueprint
for its next development phase. Looking ahead, we will continue to advance
three core strategies: interdisciplinary integration, international
collaboration, and digital transformation. We aim to deepen the application of
AI technology and smart education, enhance innovation in teaching and research,
and commit to sustainable university governance and social responsibility. We
strive to become a more internationally competitive and socially impactful
comprehensive university through these efforts.
