As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes a key technology for enhancing business competitiveness, many companies still face challenges in digital transformation and a shortage of skilled talent. To bridge the gap between academia and industry, Chung Yuan Christian University (CYCU) launched the “Taoyuan AI University Industry-Academia Co-Creation Project.” In this initiative, four companies from Taoyuan and New Taipei proposed real-world AI needs and pain points. Twenty CYCU students were selected to receive professional training and collaborate with the companies in developing AI solutions. The project not only cultivates students’ technical capabilities in AI but also brings fresh perspectives to help businesses implement AI technologies and accelerate their smart transformation.
According to CYCU’s Industry Accelerator and Incubation Center, the program officially began in mid-February and spans 16 weeks. Student participation was enthusiastic, and 20 outstanding students from departments such as Information Management, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Business Administration, and Industrial Engineering were selected to form interdisciplinary AI learning teams.
Technical training is led by 7th AI Tech Inc., with several partner companies—Shuo Long Precision Industry, Fu Yang Industrial, Jia Jih Food R&D, and Hsin Ye Automation—actively participating. In addition to providing real business problems, companies also nominated internal staff to join the training. Together, students and professionals are learning large language model (LLM) technologies and engaging in project-based development to deepen their AI application skills.
The program is structured into two phases: the Co-Learning Phase and the Co-Creation Phase. During the first 8-week Co-Learning Phase, students are grouped with industry experts and corporate interns to explore core AI technologies and real-world application scenarios.
In the following 8-week Co-Creation Phase, students will engage in AI project development, transforming their knowledge into commercially viable solutions and deepening the integration of AI in industrial applications.
Wang Chih-Chun, a master’s student from CYCU’s Department of Information Management, shared that participating in this internship program provided a valuable opportunity to learn large language model (LLM) development skills. “What makes this program truly special is the chance to co-create solutions with companies during the learning process. It’s very different from traditional internships and offers a rare and meaningful experience,” he said.
Most of the participating students are in their senior year of undergraduate studies or the second year of graduate school. Upon completing their projects, they may have the opportunity to transition directly into internships or full-time roles with the partnering companies.
Chang Yung, Director of Industry-Academia Collaboration at Chung Yuan Christian University, emphasized that CYCU has long prioritized the integration of academic learning with industry practices. By engaging students in real-world cases, the university aims to cultivate their problem-solving abilities and ensure that they gain practical experience and AI application skills before graduation—significantly enhancing their employability.
He noted that this program not only helps students understand market demands through company-driven challenges but also strengthens their technical capabilities through hands-on practice, ensuring that talent development aligns closely with industry trends.
The “Taoyuan AI University Industry-Academia Co-Creation Project” has successfully established a collaborative bridge between enterprises and students. Chung Yuan Christian University will continue to promote this model of industry-academia cooperation, strengthening ties between academia and industry while cultivating more AI professionals with real-world experience. By supporting companies in overcoming transformation challenges, the initiative aims to drive Taiwan’s industrial innovation, smart upgrading, and sustainable development—setting a new benchmark for industry-academia collaboration.
