To cultivate sustainable technology talent with a global perspective, Taiwan Fertilizer Co., Ltd. (hereafter referred to as Taiwan Fertilizer) recently donated nearly NT$2 million in scholarships to several universities in Taiwan. Among them, Taiwan Tech received a dedicated amount of NT$600,000, benefiting 20 students from the Department of Chemical Engineering, the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and the Graduate Institute of Applied Science and Technology. This scholarship is specifically intended for students with outstanding academic performance who also face financial hardship, with special encouragement for international students from New Southbound Policy countries. It reflects the concrete outcomes of industry-academia collaboration in fostering sustainable talent.

To foster sustainable technology talent with a global perspective, Taiwan Fertilizer Co., Ltd. donated nearly NT$2 million in scholarships to several universities across Taiwan. Of that amount, NT$600,000 was allocated specifically to Taiwan Tech, benefiting 20 students from the Department of Chemical Engineering, the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and the Graduate Institute of Applied Science and Technology. Photo courtesy of Taiwan Fertilizer Co., Ltd.

This donation not only reflects Taiwan Fertilizer’s long-standing commitment to education but also represents strong recognition of Taiwan Tech’s efforts in cultivating key technology talent. Taiwan Fertilizer Chairman Sun-Jung Lee attended the scholarship award ceremony and remarked that Taiwan has become a global hub for the semiconductor and technology industries, playing a critical role in the global tech supply chain. He encouraged students to make the most of the learning resources at Taiwan Tech, apply their knowledge, pursue their dreams with courage, and develop a global perspective. “Studying on this Silicon Island is both a privilege and a valuable opportunity to broaden your international outlook”, he said. “I hope you will apply what you've learned at Taiwan Tech, start from Taiwan, and embrace the world - not only for your own future but also to contribute to your homeland and global sustainable development.”

Taiwan Fertilizer Chairman Sun-Jung Lee delivers a speech. Photo courtesy of Taiwan Fertilizer Co., Ltd.

Taiwan Tech Vice President Jhy-Chern Liu also expressed sincere gratitude to Taiwan Fertilizer on behalf of the university’s faculty and students. He noted that in recent years, Taiwan Fertilizer has actively invested in forward-looking technologies such as “net-zero carbon emissions” and “electronic-grade raw materials,” successfully transforming from a traditional fertilizer manufacturer into a high-value chemical enterprise. This remarkable achievement demonstrates both strong collaborative potential and a valuable model for others. Moving forward, Taiwan Tech will continue to strengthen its partnership with Taiwan Fertilizer in areas such as scholarships, academic research, and student internships, aiming to create a win-win model for talent cultivation and industrial innovation.

In addition to awarding scholarships, Taiwan Fertilizer also organized a special company visit for Taiwan Tech students. Accompanied by Department of Chemical Engineering Chairperson Ming-Hua Ho and Professors Yan-Ling Yang and Wei-Wen Hsiao, students toured the Taichung Port plant to gain firsthand insight into how the company employs automation technologies to achieve efficient and eco-friendly chemical manufacturing processes. Faculty and students were deeply impressed by Taiwan Fertilizer’s integrated and automated operations - ranging from raw material import, purification, and chemical reactions to packaging, warehousing, and logistics. Students not only observed the production process on site but also participated in DIY hands-on activities designed by Taiwan Fertilizer. These activities allowed them to observe the effects of different fertilizers on crop growth, helping them understand how the company incorporates labor-saving, educational guidance, and sustainability considerations into product development - demonstrating its commitment to addressing rural aging and promoting sustainable agriculture as part of its social responsibility for Taiwan’s agricultural development and food security.

Taiwan Fertilizer arranged a special visit for faculty and students to its Taichung Port plant, offering a firsthand look at how the company applies automation technology to achieve efficient and eco-friendly chemical manufacturing processes. Photo courtesy of Taiwan Fertilizer Co., Ltd.

Taiwan Fertilizer designed a DIY hands-on activity, allowing students to directly observe the effects of different fertilizers on crop growth. Photo courtesy of Taiwan Fertilizer Co., Ltd.

One of the scholarship recipients, Chung-Hsin Yeh, an Indonesian student from the Department of Chemical Engineering, shared that receiving the Taiwan Fertilizer Scholarship is a tremendous honor and recognition. For him, who faces financial challenges, the scholarship not only eased the burden of his studies but also made him feel the warmth and support that Taiwan extends to international students - it served as a source of emotional encouragement as well. “This company visit made me realize that chemical engineering isn’t just about theories in textbooks - it’s also about social well-being and sustainable responsibility. Seeing how Taiwan Fertilizer integrates automation, responds to agricultural needs, and continues to pursue eco-friendly technologies gave me greater clarity and inspiration for my future career path. I hope to apply what I’ve learned at Taiwan Tech to contribute to industrial development and international cooperation, and become an engineer who makes a meaningful impact on society.”

The event also provided an opportunity for Taiwan Tech students to connect with alumni currently working at Taiwan Fertilizer. Through these exchanges, students gained valuable frontline insights and life advice, helping them better plan their own career paths.

This close collaboration between Taiwan Fertilizer and Taiwan Tech not only offers financial support to students, but also broadens their horizons through site visits and industry interaction. It helps equip future tech talents with both strong academic knowledge and hands-on experience. Taiwan Tech will continue to strengthen ties with the industry, aiming to provide students with diverse learning opportunities and real-world platforms - fostering a new generation of engineering professionals with global competence and a strong sense of sustainability.

Taiwan Fertilizer organized a moss ball - making activity, allowing students to place their completed moss balls in laboratories or dormitories to observe the effects of slow-release fertilizers - while also adding a touch of greenery to their environment. Photo courtesy of Taiwan Fertilizer Co., Ltd.