National Formosa University, responding to the government's "AI Island" policy, is participating in the Ministry of Economic Affairs' "AI New Talent Program," advancing a rare nationwide initiative focused on the dual-core fields of drones and artificial intelligence — the "Drone AI-Empowered Talent Training Program" — with an opening ceremony held on 8/4 (Monday). Legislator Liu Chien-Kuo, Deputy Executive Officer Chen Yi-Fan of the Executive Yuan's Yun-Chia-Nan Regional Joint Services Center, Industrial Development Administration Industrial Policy Division Chief Yen Feng-Chi, Franklyn Technology Co., Ltd. General Manager Chuang Kuan-Fu, ThunderTiger Corporation Chief Technology Officer Yang Fu-Sen, and Taiwan Sustainable Material Technology Co., Ltd. Chairman Shih Jui-Sheng, along with other representatives from industry, government, and academia, all attended in person, jointly witnessing this collaboration between industry and academia to cultivate job-ready talent.
NFU is one of four colleges and universities currently participating in the AI New Talent Program nationwide. The "Drone AI-Empowered Credit Program" it has established is limited to 40 participants, and since registration opened, it has sparked a wave of enthusiasm, attracting more than 150 young applicants within just one month — reflecting intense competition. Meanwhile, 26 companies have offered more than 60 internship positions, joining the race to attract talent. This demonstrates not only the younger generation's emphasis on AI application skills and cross-disciplinary integration abilities, but also the urgent demand and high expectations from industry for professionals skilled in AI technology and drone applications.
NFU President Chang Hsin-Liang stated that talent cultivation through joint collaboration between government ministries is an excellent model — with the Ministry of Education leading the front end, from basic education through specialized education, and then the Ministry of Economic Affairs connecting that specialized education with the future workplace. He expressed confidence that this represents an excellent model for linking talent training with employment in Taiwan. President Chang also noted that his continued term as president, beginning in August, coincides with this new phase launching alongside the program's opening ceremony, and expressed hope to work together with the participants to help establish AI expertise firmly in Taiwan.
Legislator Liu Chien-Kuo stated that AI applications are currently extremely widespread, spanning fields such as drones, agriculture, and healthcare. He noted that under the leadership of President Chang Hsin-Liang and his team, NFU has gained substantial experience through industry engagement, and expressed hope that NFU's training programs will produce outstanding, job-ready AI talent. He also pointed out that he has successfully secured the repurposing of the former Transworld University campus, transforming it into an international-level AI talent cultivation base, and noted that its future development will rely on the continued planning and dedication of President Chang and his team, helping establish Taiwan as an important international hub for AI talent.
Chen Yi-Fan, Deputy Executive Officer of the Executive Yuan's Yun-Chia-Nan Regional Joint Services Center, stated that NFU's opening ceremony carries dual significance — not only emphasizing smart AI applications, but also highlighting the university's nationally leading position in drone talent cultivation and infrastructure development. She noted that this also responds to the government's ongoing "AI Island" policy, promoted since last year, with hopes of industrializing AI and applying AI across various local industries. She emphasized that the government serves as an important platform and hub in helping industries connect with AI and implement it across all sectors, particularly in popularizing AI adoption within traditional industries.
Yen Feng-Chi, Chief of the Industrial Policy Division at the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Industrial Development Administration, stated that the AI New Talent Program targets young college graduates who have graduated within the past two years, offering fully tuition-free training courses, with the Ministry of Economic Affairs subsidizing learning and living stipends of up to NT$280,000. The program is divided into 8 months of professional training followed by 4 months of corporate internship, after which participants are matched with companies for employment, committing to a minimum of two years of service under contract with the hiring company. Driven by this collaboration between industry, government, and academia, NFU's "Drone AI-Empowered Credit Program" has not only become a fresh opportunity for young people to enter the AI industry, but also provides a talent pipeline supporting industry's smart transformation.
Company representatives present also praised NFU's effectiveness in cultivating talent for drone and AI applications. Chuang Kuan-Fu, General Manager of Franklyn Technology, stated that his company collaborates with the military, working across helicopters, jets, F-16 fighter jets, and other trainer and advanced training aircraft, and is able to offer participants interested in pursuing this field a platform for development along with technical support.
Yang Fu-Sen, Chief Technology Officer of ThunderTiger Corporation, pointed out that ThunderTiger has, in recent years, shifted from remote-controlled flight to unmanned vehicle technology, actively investing in drones, unmanned surface vessels, and future unmanned ground vehicles. He noted that the company has partnered with NFU to establish an R&D center, investing NT$6 million annually to cultivate talent in AI and smart applications. Shih Jui-Sheng, Chairman of Taiwan Sustainable Material Technology, pointed out that foam materials are key to lightweighting drones and improving their flight endurance, and expressed hope that through industry-academia collaboration with NFU, more young people will be drawn to pursue material mechanics and application development, working together to make meaningful contributions to Taiwan.
NFU's Drone AI-Empowered Program incorporates key technologies such as autonomous flight, smart manufacturing, and AI image recognition and navigation, combined with hands-on training in multirotor drone licensing, module assembly, flight control, and field operation testing, strengthening participants' capabilities in systems integration and practical application. During the training period, participants will work at the Advanced Drone Manufacturing and Testing Laboratory at the Chiayi Asia Innovation Center, which includes diverse facilities such as an AI Cloud Computing Laboratory and a Drone Flight Simulation Hall, while also connecting with resources from NFU's Smart Machinery and Manufacturing Center and Cutting Center, providing participants with a practical technical deployment environment so that their training outcomes can be put to immediate use.
Information and article provided by: Department of Aircraft Engineering, Secretariat Office
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| NFU's "Drone AI-Empowered Talent Training Program" holds its opening ceremony, with industry, government, and academia joining new trainees to jointly advance the practical implementation of AI application technology. | |
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| NFU's "Drone AI-Empowered Talent Training Program" welcomes President Chang Hsin-Liang (4th from left), Legislator Liu Chien-Kuo (3rd from right), Executive Yuan Yun-Chia-Nan Regional Joint Services Center Deputy Executive Officer Chen Yi-Fan (2nd from left), Ministry of Economic Affairs Industrial Development Administration Industrial Policy Division Chief Yen Feng-Chi (3rd from left), Franklyn Technology General Manager Chuang Kuan-Fu (1st from right), ThunderTiger Corporation Chief Technology Officer Yang Fu-Sen (1st from left), and Taiwan Sustainable Material Technology Chairman Shih Jui-Sheng, all in attendance as witnesses. |
NFU President Chang Hsin-Liang begins his continued term in August, coinciding with this new phase launching alongside the program's opening ceremony, with hopes of working together with participants to help establish AI expertise firmly in Taiwan. |