The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) established the Ta-You Wu Memorial Award to encourage outstanding young scholars to pursue research over the long term. In principle, 45 recipients are selected each year. In 2026, three young scholars from National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) received the award. In addition, the 2026 Future Tech Award selected 84 innovative achievements with potential for industrial application from more than 650 technologies. NCKU received awards for 11 technologies, demonstrating the University’s strong capacity for talent development and academic research.
The three NCKU recipients of the Ta-You Wu Memorial Award are included Associate Professor Jian-Ren Hou of the Department of Industrial and Information Management, Associate Professor Wei-Hsuan Hsu of the Institute of Food Safety, Hygiene and Risk Management, and Associate Professor Sheng-Sheng Yu of the Department of Chemical Engineering. Jian-Ren Hou focuses on online user behavior, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and data science, exploring how people interact and make decisions on digital platforms and social media. Wei-Hsuan Hsu researches the effects of probiotics, gut microbiota, and environmental pollutants such as microplastics on human health, while developing applications for precision health. Sheng-Sheng Yu researches novel solvents, polymer synthesis, and 3D printing, with his work receiving recognition from leading international journals.
Acknowledged at the Future Tech Awards, NCKU’s 11 award-winning technologies span fields including sustainable technology, biotechnology and medicine, artificial intelligence, and advanced materials. They include nanotechnology that improves the efficiency of preservative and antibiotic testing; an ear-worn electrical stimulation device for alleviating postoperative ileus; a precision optical medical system for brain tumors; a 3D organoid drug-testing platform; and technologies for predicting pancreatic cancer metastasis risk, AI-powered digital pathology, dengue fever early warning, quantum-AI satellite sensing, and intelligent fire prevention. Together, these achievements demonstrate the potential of NCKU’s research outcomes to address real-world challenges.
NCKU scholars continue to integrate innovative research with societal needs, demonstrating not only outstanding research capabilities but also serving as role models for students in the pursuit of exploration and innovation. Going forward, NCKU will continue to support faculty and students in research and interdisciplinary innovation, promote the practical application of research outcomes, and create greater value for industries and society as a whole.