【Translated with the assistance of Google Gemini】

【Promotion of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) series】 

2026-01-19 Cheers magazine has released its latest "2026 Most Preferred University Students by Enterprises" survey. Among the top 30 universities, the National University of Kaohsiung (NUK)—which has the smallest student body on the list with approximately 6,000 students—has delivered a stellar performance over the past two years. NUK not only retained its No. 1 ranking among medium-sized universities but also continued its significant upward trend, placing 24th nationwide this year. This reflects the steady accumulation of the university’s educational achievements.

NUK President Chen Chi-Jen stated that the continuous rise in rankings is the result of long-term dedication to teaching, research, and administrative excellence by the entire faculty and student body. He expressed his gratitude to the staff and students for their contributions, which have allowed the university to move forward steadily.

President Chen pointed out that in recent years, the university has identified "Cross-disciplinary Innovation," "Industry Linkage," "Local Practice," and "International Connection" as its core development strategies. Through cross-departmental collaboration and teamwork, the university has refined students' fundamental skills while cultivating their ability for interdisciplinary integration and practical application. Looking ahead, NUK will continue to deepen teaching quality and industry-academia ties, integrating University Social Responsibility (USR) with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to drive the university’s growth.

President Chen emphasized that NUK is strategically located at the hub of the Southern Taiwan Semiconductor S-Corridor. Recognizing this vital industrial position, the university has proactively responded to industry needs by collaborating with major electronics firms, including TSMC, to design specialized programs that strengthen talent cultivation and industrial supply chain links.

According to Cheers, the "Most Preferred University Students by Enterprises" survey has been conducted for 30 years, documenting the evolving reputation of universities among employers. By surveying HR managers from the top 2,000 enterprises, it serves as a crucial reference for higher education and talent development.

This year’s results show that among the top 30 universities, 13 are public comprehensive universities. NUK stands out for having the fewest students while ranking first among medium-sized institutions. Cheers reports also noted that NUK’s steady rise in recent years reflects its success in bridging the gap between learning and application, promoting interdisciplinary studies, and fostering industry links—efforts that are increasingly being recognized by the corporate sector.

Cheers Magazine 2026 Survey Link: https://www.cheers.com.tw/article/article.action?id=5105265

#SDG4 @Secretariat & Research