NCHU Partners with YeaShin Group to Launch Taiwan’s First “International Civil Engineering Program”

In response to Taiwan’s population policy and industrial development needs, the Ministry of Education and the National Development Council have introduced the International Industrial Talents Education Special Program (INTENSE Program) starting from the 2024–2025 academic year. The initiative aims to attract international students to pursue higher education in Taiwan and remain for employment after graduation.

National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) has received approval to offer seven programs with a total of 99 student slots over the 2024 and 2025 academic years. Among them, the International Civil Engineering Program, established by the Department of Civil Engineering in partnership with YeaShin International Development Co., Ltd., will enroll six students from India and Indonesia. This is the only INTENSE Program in Taiwan offering a master’s degree in the construction-related field at a national university, making it a unique model nationwide.

On October 3, NCHU and YeaShin International Development Co., Ltd. held a launch ceremony for their industry–academia collaboration. Vice President Ching-Piao Tsai noted that the new INTENSE Program model not only needs to align with industry demands but also requires the university to design supporting measures—including curriculum development, student life adaptation, language training, and welfare planning. “This program represents an innovative practice in education,” he emphasized, “and a proactive response to the transformation needs of the construction industry. By joining hands with industry, we aim to both nurture and attract skilled professionals for Taiwan’s enterprises.”

Dean of Research and Development Jenn-Ming Song explained that the program is conducted entirely in English and differs from traditional master’s programs by incorporating a higher proportion of instructors from industry and emphasizing corporate internships. Students’ thesis topics will be co-developed by faculty advisors and industry partners, and during their second year, students will undertake internships to deepen their understanding of industry practices.

To help international students integrate into Taiwan’s work and living environment, the program requires participants to reach CEFR A2 level in listening and reading on the Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language (TOCFL) by the end of their first academic year—an ambitious goal for many non-Chinese-speaking students. NCHU has therefore leveraged resources from its Chinese Language Center to provide eight hours of Mandarin language instruction per week, helping students meet the requirement and adapt quickly to life and culture in Taiwan.

YeaShin International Development Co., Ltd. Chairman Cheng-Yueh Yao remarked that the construction industry has been facing a serious talent shortage due to the magnetic pull of Taiwan’s high-tech sectors. Given that construction is a locally oriented, domestic-demand industry, international professionals need structured support—including technical, linguistic, and cultural training—before entering the Taiwanese job market. “The INTENSE Program provides an ideal platform for systematically introducing and cultivating international talent,” he said. “Through our partnership with NCHU, we hope to inject new energy into Taiwan’s construction industry.”