On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, National Formosa University (NFU) warmly welcomed a delegation from its sister university in Thailand — King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL). Led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Pitcha Prasitmeeboon, Executive Director of International Affairs, and Ms. Ployrung Minbumrung from the College of Multidisciplinary and Interdisciplinary Engineering, the delegation included 21 students with a background in mechatronics. This marks the third visit from KMITL within six months, highlighting the strong and growing academic ties and mutual commitment to international collaboration.

~Smart Machinery and Intelligent Manufacturing Research Center~
The visit began with a tour of the Intelligent Machinery and Smart Manufacturing Research Center located in NFU’s new campus. The center’s research covers intelligent machinery systems, robotics, smart sensing and control, industrial IoT, and big data analytics. It is committed to developing advanced smart manufacturing technologies, including autonomous intelligent systems, smart monitoring and diagnostic systems, and intelligent production lines — all aimed at providing integrated smart solutions to enhance production efficiency and product quality. The tour was guided by Mr. Liu Chen-Chi, Industry Liaison Specialist, and Mr. Hou Hsin-Hung, Product Manager, who introduced various machines such as five-axis milling machines, lathes, and turn-mill centers.

~Collaboration & Faculty-Student Exchange Meeting~
A formal academic exchange meeting was then held at the Teaching and Learning Development Center on the main campus. Vice President Dr. Jau-Shiung Fang personally welcomed the KMITL delegation, expressing hopes to further strengthen cooperation between the two universities through continued dialogue, collaborative teaching innovations, and joint research opportunities. During the meeting, Professor Ming-Shen Jian from the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, along with his students, showcased their Internet of Things (IoT) application projects. The KMITL delegation expressed high praise for NFU’s research capabilities and distinctive teaching approaches.

~Department of Mechanical and Computer-Aided Engineering~
In the afternoon, the group visited the Department of Mechanical and Computer-Aided Engineering, where Chair Professor Wen-Yang Chang introduced department highlights, including a live demonstration of FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) applications. Students had the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities such as operating digital logic gate counters. A particularly interactive and impressive feature was an AI-powered robotic arm billiards system, which showcased intelligent control and system integration. Using image recognition, the robotic arm identified billiard ball colors and calculated optimal trajectories, allowing KMITL students to play against the AI — a fun and educational experience in smart technology.

~Aviation Maintenance Training Center~
Next, the delegation toured the Aviation Maintenance Training Center, where Quality Manager Mr. Shih-Chia (Arnold) Wang introduced the structures and functions of various aircraft models. He also presented the center’s key educational program, the Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Maintenance, which is uniquely designed to integrate both academic degrees and professional certifications. Currently, NFU is actively collaborating with KMITL’s International Academy of Aviation Industry (IAAI) to promote a 2+2 dual-degree program between the two institutions.

~Department of Industrial Management~
The final stop was the Department of Industrial Management, where the KMITL delegation visited a series of signature laboratories. Professor Wei-Cheng Chao introduced the Smart Human-Machine Interaction Lab, showcasing the potential of human-machine collaboration in industry applications. Professor Tsung-Ming Cheng then guided the group through the Virtual Manufacturing Lab, which simulates production environments using virtual reality to demonstrate the power of digital transformation. Professor Ying-Lien Lee led the tour of the Smart Health Promotion Lab, which leverages technology to enhance health and quality of life. Lastly, Professor Meng-Hua Lee’s students presented the Lean Production Management Lab, providing insights into practical strategies for optimizing manufacturing efficiency and workflows. The KMITL delegation gained valuable insights into NFU’s applied learning environments and experimental facilities.