National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology

What National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology does

National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology (NKUST, 國立高雄科技大學) is a public national university in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, formed in August 2018 through the merger of three predecessor institutions: National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences (高雄應用科技大學), National Kaohsiung Marine University (高雄海洋科技大學), and National Kaohsiung First University of Science and Technology (高雄第一科技大學). It is one of the largest science and technology universities in Taiwan, operating across five campuses — First, Jiangong (建工), Yanchao (燕巢), Nanzih (楠梓), and Cijin (旗津) — and delivering undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs in applied sciences, mechanical and chemical engineering, marine biotechnology, business, and humanities. The institution is governed by Taiwan's Ministry of Education and operates as a non-profit government state entity.

The university's core offering is higher education services, augmented by library services spanning five campus libraries, academic research support centers (Higher Education Sprout Project, USR programs, industry-academia operations office), and student competition teams that have won regional and international awards. NKUST generates revenue through three primary streams: government subsidies from Taiwan's Ministry of Education, tuition from domestic and international students (regulated by MOE, not publicly disclosed), and research grants from the National Science and Technology Commission and other government agencies. Notable institutional assets include IEET 3+ cycle accreditation for Mechanical Engineering, a roster of distinguished faculty (including Stanford World's Top 2% Scientist Professor Fang Dehua 方得華), and high-impact research output such as Professor Chen Chien-Chih's blue carbon studies published in Nature series journals. Student and stakeholder engagement runs through a multi-channel mix — official website (nkust.edu.tw), YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, LINE, and a dedicated Admissions Information Network (ada.nkust.edu.tw) — alongside an active Outstanding Alumni Association.

The university's business model is mission-driven rather than profit-driven: as a public educational institution it does not sell commercial software products, charge market-rate tuition, or pursue equity returns. Its strategic positioning emphasizes industry-academia collaboration, applied research addressing regional industrial needs (maritime, port operations, manufacturing), and credentialed academic quality. In July 2026 NKUST signed an MOU with Taiwan Port Corporation to deepen port-sector talent cultivation and applied research, signaling continued expansion of industry partnerships. Headcount is reported at 262, which appears to capture a subset of personnel rather than total university staff across the five-campus operation.

Name

National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology

Legal name

National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology (國立高雄科技大學)

Website

https://nkust.edu.tw

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology (NKUST) is a public Taiwanese national university formed in 2018 via a three-school merger, serving domestic and international students across five Kaohsiung campuses with applied sciences, engineering, maritime, and business programs, funded by government subsidies, tuition, and research grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Polytechnic & Applied Sciences Universities (EDAHAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Research Universities with Engineering/Polytechnic Emphasis (EDAHAAAD), Technical Universities with Strong Industry Partnerships (EDAHAEAG)

Keywords

• Higher education programs
• Applied sciences research
• Engineering education
• Maritime studies programs
• Vocational training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Kaohsiung City

HQ country

Taiwan

HQ region

Asia

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Public university funded by Taiwan government for education and research operations
2. Tuition: Tuition fees from domestic and international students
3. Research Grants: Research funding from National Science and Technology Commission and other government agencies

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology is a public university offering undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs across engineering, business, marine studies, applied sciences, and humanities, delivered across five campuses in Kaohsiung City. The institution supplements degree programs with library services, university-level research centers, industry-academia collaboration platforms, and the Higher Education Sprout Project.

Product overview

National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology (NKUST) is a public university formed by the merger of three institutions in 2018. The university operates as a comprehensive higher education institution offering degree programs across multiple colleges, supported by library services, research centers, and industry-academia partnerships. The institution's main offerings are educational services rather than commercial software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Higher Education Degree Programs Comprehensive undergraduate and graduate degree programs across engineering, business, marine studies, applied sciences, and humanities, delivered across five campuses (First, Jian-Gong, Yan-Chao, Nan-Zih, and Qi-Jin). Includes graduate schools, 4-year bachelor's, 2-year bachelor's, 5-year junior college, special programs, and continuing education tracks.
• Library Services Academic library services spanning five campus libraries, providing electronic databases, thesis submission systems, interlibrary loan services, reading promotion activities, and space reservations for students, faculty, and researchers.
• Academic Research Support and Industry-Academia Collaboration University-level research centers and industry-academia collaboration services supporting faculty and student research initiatives, including the Higher Education Sprout Project (高教深耕計畫), USR programs, the Office of Research and Development (研究發展處 and 產學營運處), and the Research Vessel Operations Office (實習船營運辦公室).
• International Students Program Dedicated international student services and degree program pathways for foreign applicants seeking education opportunities in Taiwan, accessible via the university's international students portal.
• Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning Programs Continuing Education Division (進修部) and Continuing Education College (進修學院) programs offering professional certificates, skill upgrades, and lifelong learning courses for alumni and community members.

Quantifiable outcome

• Professor Chen Chien-Chih's research on blue carbon published in Nature series journals, contributing to 2050 Net Zero emissions goals
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Taiwan Port Corporation (臺灣港務股份有限公司)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 July 2026National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology and Taiwan Port Corporation signed an MOU on July 14, 2026 at Kaohsiung Port History Museum. The partnership focuses on port talent cultivation, education and training, and industry-academia research collaboration to strengthen Taiwan's port industry development foundation. University President Wu Zhong-Xin and Port Corporation Chairman Zhou Yong-Hui signed the agreement, with both parties conducting a port tour to understand current operations and future development plans.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Tsing Hua University: Top-tier Taiwanese public research university with engineering, science, and management programs. Comparable in research output and faculty caliber but operates at a higher prestige tier, making it more of a benchmark than a direct competitor for mid-tier talent and students.

Regional players

• National Sun Yat-sen University: Public research university also located in Kaohsiung with strong marine sciences, engineering, and management programs. Closest geographic peer, competing directly with NKUST for the same southern Taiwan student and employer base.
• I-Shou University: Private university in Kaohsiung with engineering, management, and science programs. Local competitor in the same southern Taiwan market for domestic students and industry partnerships.
• Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology: Private technological university in Tainan offering applied engineering and management programs. Comparable in applied-sciences and industry-partnership orientation but smaller scale and privately funded.

Direct peers

• National Cheng Kung University: Leading Taiwanese public research university with a strong engineering and applied sciences profile, headquartered in Tainan. Competes with NKUST for top students, faculty talent, and industry-sponsored research, particularly in southern Taiwan.
• Feng Chia University: Private technological university in Taichung with strong engineering, business, and applied sciences programs and deep industry-academia collaboration. Comparable in scale and applied focus but privately funded.
• National Yunlin University of Science and Technology: Public technological university in central Taiwan focused on engineering, business, and applied sciences with industry-academia collaboration. Comparable institutional profile as a regional public polytechnic competing for similar student segments.
• National Taipei University of Technology: Public technological university in Taipei offering applied engineering, business, and design programs with substantial industry partnerships. Comparable in scale, public funding model, and applied-sciences focus.
• National Taiwan University of Science and Technology: Taiwan's flagship public university of science and technology, directly comparable as a national polytechnic offering engineering, business, and applied sciences degrees with strong industry-academia linkages. NTUST is NKUST's primary national peer for student recruitment, faculty competition, and research funding.
• National Taiwan Ocean University: Public university specializing in maritime, ocean, and marine sciences located in Keelung. Direct peer for NKUST's maritime studies programs, particularly through the Cijin campus, with overlapping industry partnerships in shipping and fisheries.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCk7QGAi2QAFrH63mPPX-apw
• Facebookfacebook.com/NKUST2018
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/national-kaohsiung-university-of-science-and-technology
• Instagraminstagram.com/nkust4u

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology