The College of Management at Taiwan Tech, in collaboration with the International Foundation for Production Research (IFPR), National Tsing Hua University, Asia University and other leading academic and industry institutions in Taiwan and overseas, officially launched the 2026 International Conference on Production Research – Asia Pacific Region (ICPR-APR) on 13–14 June 2026. The event brought together experts for three days of professional academic exchange and discussion, opening a new chapter in global production research and sustainable development.

Group photo of distinguished guests and all conference participants, marking the successful conclusion of the three-day event.

The conference was chaired by Professor Yu-Chung Tsao, Dean of the College of Management at Taiwan Tech, who worked alongside Hing Kai Chan, IFPR President for the Asia-Pacific Region, and Anthony SF Chiu, IFPR President, to jointly lead the initiative. Their collaboration reflects the university’s strong commitment, together with international academic and industry partners, to cultivating advanced research talent and addressing global challenges.

The 2026 ICPR-APR conference brings together distinguished guests and participants to promote smart manufacturing and sustainable development.

Hing Kai Chan (right), IFPR President for the Asia-Pacific Region and initiator of the conference, highlights the importance of digital technologies in transforming production systems and global supply chains.

Professor Tsao, Dean of Taiwan Tech’s College of Management, remarked: “In an era shaped by artificial intelligence, digital transformation and supply chain resilience, the role of production research is more important than ever.” He further emphasised that combining smart technologies with sustainable and inclusive industrial practices is essential to addressing major challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity and economic uncertainty. Smart manufacturing and inclusive industrialisation are reshaping production systems through digital technologies and data-driven insights. They also remind us that sustainable development must benefit all segments of society and help bridge the gaps between regions and communities.

Professor Tsao, Dean of Taiwan Tech’s College of Management, delivers an address encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration between academia and industry in smart manufacturing and sustainable development.

Smart manufacturing and inclusive industrialisation not only improve operational efficiency but also help establish industrial ecosystems that are resilient, environmentally friendly and equitable. They have consequently become key drivers of global digital transformation. This year’s conference was held under the theme “Smart Manufacturing and Inclusive Industrialization: Towards a Sustainable Future”. Its comprehensive programme covered a wide range of topics, including the circular economy, digital technology applications, supply chain management, AI-driven solutions and the implementation of environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices. Several high-profile keynote presentations were also arranged to give participants practical insights into the applications and challenges of smart manufacturing across industrial supply chains.

IFPR President Anthony SF Chiu presents a project overview exploring the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and university social responsibility.

As global supply chains undergo restructuring and digital transformation accelerates, this conference served not merely as a platform for presenting academic theories but also as a key opportunity to drive industrial upgrading across the Asia-Pacific region. Several panel discussions examined in depth the challenges faced by businesses in adopting ESG practices and artificial intelligence, while proposing concrete and practical frameworks for addressing them. Through lively dialogue between academia and industry, the conference successfully built a cross-border bridge for technological exchange, encouraging more local businesses to align their practices with international standards. These efforts have laid a solid foundation for developing high-performance production networks that combine resilience with green competitiveness.

The event also brought fresh momentum to practical talent development in the field of industrial management. In the face of Industry 4.0 and the growing circular economy, the next generation of management professionals needs not only a solid foundation in operations and logistics but also the interdisciplinary capabilities required to solve complex systems-related problems. The successful cases of digital transformation and decision analysis shared at the conference can be directly translated into valuable material for academic projects and practical training. They also inspired young participants to imagine innovative models for the factories of the future and strengthened their sense of responsibility and engagement in advancing smart manufacturing.

Experts and scholars from around the world gathered to deliver presentations and lectures in a wide range of fields, including AI applications, supply chain resilience, ESG and sustainable development, decision analysis, data analytics, digital transformation and the circular economy. Their contributions helped participants gain a comprehensive understanding of the latest developments and practical skills in production research.

This conference marks an important milestone in strengthening cooperation between Taiwan Tech, the International Foundation for Production Research and its partner institutions. It also establishes a valuable model for cultivating smart manufacturing talent and promoting industry–academia co-creation in the Asia-Pacific region. Looking ahead, the partners hope to expand the scope of their collaboration, stimulate greater interest in learning about and applying smart manufacturing, and help lead global industries towards a new era of inclusive, sustainable and intelligent development.

Leading scholars and industry experts from Taiwan and overseas gather to share pioneering research findings and practical experience.