Conference Program

Location: R417, MKT Innovation Building, National Taiwan University [map]


Day 1 (June 16, 2026): The Funding Ecosystem

8:30am Registration and Coffee & Tea!
Location: R417 of MKT Innovation Building
9:00am Open Remarks and Introduction to the Workshop
Prof. Chi-Sheng Shih (National Taiwan University)
(Abstract of the talk)
9:10am UAAT Program Overview and Opportunities for Collaboration
Prof. Ya-Ping Chiu, Distinguished Professor and Deputy Vice President, Office of Research and Development, National Taiwan University.
This talk will provide an overview of the UAAT program, highlighting its goals, structure, and the various opportunities it offers for collaboration among the member institutions. Attendees will learn about the resources available through UAAT, including funding opportunities, joint research initiatives, and student exchange programs. The talk will also discuss how researchers can leverage UAAT to enhance their research impact and build stronger synergies with their counterparts at UIUC and KU.
09:30am Success story of UAAT recipient
Prof. Chao-Hsin Wu, Director and Professor, GIEE, National Taiwan University.
Prof. Wu and his team recevied the 2025 UAAT seed funding for their project. In this talk, Prof. Wu will share the journey of their project, from the initial proposal stage to the successful implementation and outcomes. He will discuss the challenges they faced, how they overcame them, and the impact of their research on sustainable agriculture practices. This talk will provide valuable insights for attendees who are interested in applying for the 2026 seed funding program and want to learn from a successful UAAT recipient.
09:50am Discussion Panel: Building Stronger Synergies for Better Success
Prof. Chi-Sheng Shih (National Taiwan University), Prof. Ya-Ping Chiu (National Taiwan University), and Prof. Chao-Hsin Wu (National Taiwan University)
In this panel discussion, the speakers will engage in a conversation about how to build stronger synergies for better success in collaborative research. They will share their perspectives on the importance of collaboration, the challenges that can arise, and strategies for overcoming those challenges. The panel will also discuss how programs like UAAT can facilitate stronger collaborations and enhance research outcomes. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and participate in the discussion.
10:10am Coffee & Tea Break
10:30am Progress Report for Implementation Seed Funding Programs
Recipients of 2025 Implementation Funding Programs (Five)
In this plenary session, recipients of the short-term seed funding will present progress reports on their projects. Each recipient will share updates on their research activities, preliminary results, and any challenges they have encountered. This session will provide an opportunity for attendees to learn about the ongoing research efforts funded by the seed program and to gain insights into the potential impact of these projects. The plenary format allows for a more in-depth presentation and discussion of each project, fostering a deeper understanding of the research being conducted under the UAAT program.
12:00pm Lunch
Location: MD Cuisine Direction: Map
1:30pm SPARK
Prof. Yufeng Jane Tseng
SPARK TAIWAN Program is a collaboration with Stanford University, the cradle of biotechnology industry development in the United States, to link the Stanford SPARK Program training model and resources. Through regional anchor universities with biomedical interpretation capabilities, this program builds a biomedical talent training environment that meets the local needs of Taiwan. In addition to providing key training courses in translational R&D, clinical-need assessment, medical regulation issues, intellectual property and negotiation, marketing, and commercialization planning along the product value chain, the program is complemented by an industry expert panel with practical experience in the biotechnology field, and the development of each anchor university's unique translational training model.
1:55pm Panel:
Prof. Yufeng Jane Tseng
(Abstract)
2:15pm Overview and Research Focus on Library and Information Science (LIS) at NTU
Lo, Szu-Chia, Director of Department of Library and Information Science, National Taiwan University
(Overview and Research Focus of the department)
2:30pm Overview and Research Focus on Library and Information Science (LIS) at UIUC
(TBA)
(Overview and Research Focus of the department)
2:50pm Coffee & Tea Break
3:10pm Team forming and round table discussion: Collaboration for UAAT and SPARK Taiwan
All participants
(Abstract)
4:30pm Discussion report and sharing
All participants
(Abstract)
5:00pm Closing and Summary
All participants
(Abstract)

Day 2 (June 17, 2026)

8:30am Registration and Coffee & Tea!
Location: R417 of MKT Innovation Building
09:00am Recap of 2025 Funding Programs
Daniel Shih, Sammer Jones, and Konomi Natalie
(Review process and Criteria of 2025 program)
9:10am AI in Higher Education: From Current Developments to Action Plans
Prof. Hsin-Mu Tsai, Deputy Vice President for Academic Affairs/Director, Center for Teaching and Learning Development, Digital Learning Center, and Academic Advising Office, National Taiwan University
Artificial intelligence is already transforming higher education, not as a distant future concern but as an immediate reality: evidence increasingly shows that AI tools have become part of students’ everyday learning activities. This talk examines the rapid development of AI capabilities and discusses what these changes mean for universities, teachers, and students. Drawing on classroom observations, educational research, and practical examples, it explores the risks of unguided AI use, the importance of preserving meaningful learning processes, and the broader challenge of preparing students for an AI-integrated future. The talk further discusses how AI models are trained, why domain expertise and localized knowledge remain essential, and how students should be prepared not only to use AI tools but also to evaluate, supervise, and contribute to AI systems. As AI begins to replace some entry-level tasks while expanding opportunities for human-AI collaboration, higher education must rethink how it cultivates students’ foundational abilities, professional judgment, and capacity to work with AI. The goal is to move from current developments to concrete action plans for teaching and learning in the AI era.
9:50am When the art meets technology: AI for Art Creation and Appreciation (Temp)
Prof. Hsiao-Mei Hsieh, Associate Professor, Department of Drama and Theatre, National Taiwan University
(TBA)
10:15am Coffee & Tea Break
10:30am Research Outcomes/Plan Sharing (Two rooms: Science/Engineering and Liberal Arts)
Participants of the 2nd day Program (10 mins for each talk)
(Abstract)
12:00pm Lunch
Location: MD Cuisine Direction: Map
1:30pm Sharing from 2025 Seed Funding Recipients
Two recipients of 2025 Seed Funding Programs
(Abstract)
1:50pm Summary of the sharing and plans
Representative for each group or teams
(Abstract)
2:50pm Coffee & Tea Break
3:10pm Round table: Interdisciplinary collaboration
Participants of the 2nd day Program
(TBA)
4:15pm Summary of the sharing and plans
Representative for each group or teams
(TBA)
5:00pm Closing and Summary for 2nd day
Daniel Shih, Sammer Jones, and Konomi Natalie
(TBA)

Day 3 (June 18, 2026)

9:00am Visit to NTU Library and Museums
(All delegations)
(TBA)
11:00am Group Discussion
Plenary Speaker
(TBA)
12:00pm Lunch
Location: MD Cuisine Direction: Map
13:30pm Group Discussion - 2
Plenary Speaker
(TBA)