About Us
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In response to the rapid development of the global biotechnology industry and the upgrading of related industries to enhance international competitiveness, the government has continued to support and promote the development of domestic biotechnology-related industries. Accordingly, there is an urgent demand for cultivating outstanding professional talents. National Formosa University is located near the Huwei Base of the Central Taiwan Science Park, which is also an important hub for the development of the biotechnology industry and agricultural biochemical technology. Based on national and regional industrial development needs, the Department of Biotechnology (hereinafter referred to as “the Department”) was officially established in 2003 with a four-year undergraduate program, followed by the establishment of a master’s program in 2008 and an in-service master’s program in 2009. From 2008 to 2011, the Department also enrolled students in industry–academia collaborative programs. In 2009, the Agricultural and Biotechnology Product Inspection and Service Center (hereinafter referred to as the “Agricultural Inspection Center,” currently a university-level unit) was established. In 2021, the Smart Biotechnology Elite Navigator Program (hereinafter referred to as the “Smart Biotechnology Program”) was launched. At present, the Department has 15 full-time faculty members, all of whom hold doctoral degrees, including 8 professors, 5 associate professors, and 2 assistant professors. The faculty’s expertise covers agricultural biotechnology as well as its value-added applications in food, environmental, and medical/health biotechnology. |
The Department’s educational objectives focus on cultivating biotechnology professionals equipped with practical skills across the biotechnology industry chain. By integrating biotechnology faculty with extensive industry experience, the Department emphasizes practical teaching and applied research in areas such as bio-detection technologies, development of biological agents, natural medicines and health supplements, food processing technologies, biomaterial development, bioenergy development, drug residue detection technologies, and pathogen detection. In response to the integration of big data analytics, automation, and smart technologies into biotechnology-related industries—including modern agriculture, food industries, and medical and health sectors—the Department has established the Smart Biotechnology Program. The Department is moving toward smart and precision-oriented development by integrating interdisciplinary research and teaching resources from different colleges and departments within the University (including engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and management). This approach enables the cultivation of integrated and cross-disciplinary biotechnology professionals.
Agriculture is the foundation of the nation, and Yunlin County is widely recognized as the “Agricultural Capital” of Taiwan. The implementation of industrial development and talent cultivation relies heavily on the educational resources and R&D capabilities of local universities. The Department’s Agricultural and Biotechnology Inspection and Service Center plays a crucial role in food safety inspection, particularly in ensuring pesticide safety for fruits and vegetables. The Center will further establish widely accessible and intelligent rapid screening systems, along with other food analysis and safety testing capabilities. In other biotechnology fields, the Department continues to advance toward precision and interdisciplinary development. Faculty members have demonstrated outstanding performance in both industry–academia collaboration and research and development.
The Department has long emphasized the effective utilization of Yunlin County’s abundant agricultural resources and the strengths of nearby related industries to develop technologies required for a distinctive biotechnology industry chain. In recent years, the Department has devoted significant effort to the application of biotechnology in food and agriculture, actively fulfilling social responsibility and promoting regional revitalization. Research efforts include the reuse of agricultural waste to increase agricultural product value, improve the environment, and enhance resource circulation. Additionally, the Yunlin County Farmers’ University has been supported by the Department for many years, and the current Yunlin Smart Agriculture University is also primarily assisted by the Department in education and training. The Department is committed to cultivating talents at the undergraduate, master’s, and in-service master’s levels, and may further contribute to the development of Yunlin County as a major agricultural biotechnology hub. Complementary collaboration with other departments within the University or nearby institutions represents a unique development pathway and competitive advantage for the Department.
(Updated: August 2022)
