Feng Chia University Partners with III to Create a New Future for Smart Cities

Feng Chia University is actively participating in the development of the smart city in Taichung's Shuinan Economic and Trade Park. With several key constructions in the park gradually being completed, today (27th), Feng Chia University officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Institute for Information Industry (III). The MOU was signed by Feng Chia University President Wang Wei and III CEO Zhuo Zhenghong, representing both parties. The collaboration will integrate III's AI smart transportation, image electronic fence, unmanned inspection, and smart light pole technologies with Feng Chia University's unique "5G Experimental Private Network" in Taiwan, jointly creating a smart city demonstration field and cultivating outstanding innovative talents.

Since the beginning of this year, Feng Chia University and III's Software Technology Research Institute (Software Institute) have engaged in multiple exchanges. Both parties share a common vision in the construction of smart city demonstration fields, digital zero-carbon, and dual-axis transformation. Today's signing ceremony was successfully completed under the witness of former Feng Chia University President and Distinguished Chair Professor Li Bingqian, Taichung City Digital Governance Bureau Director Lin Gulong, Fanxuan System Technology Company Governance Director Li Yirong, Tianyan Satellite Technology Chairman Zhou Tianying, and Taiwan Naiwei Optical Company Chairman Qiu Junrong. In his introductory speech, Distinguished Chair Professor Bing-Jean Lee expressed his hope that the future cooperation between III's technical advantages and Feng Chia University's research strength will jointly develop forward-looking application technologies, build smart cities, and accelerate industrial upgrading.

In her speech, Feng Chia University President Wang Wei stated that this cooperation not only enhances Feng Chia University's leading position in the field of technology but also allows academic theories to be transformed into practical applications, providing students with opportunities to operate advanced technologies practically, enabling them to excel in the technology industry in the future. She also advocated for a national smart city application competition to be jointly organized by Feng Chia University, III, and the Taichung City Government in the future, attracting participation from universities, enterprises, and innovative teams across the country. Through the competition, innovative thinking will be stimulated, promoting the implementation of more innovative technologies and accelerating the development of smart cities, thereby creating a more resilient and forward-looking international competitiveness for Taiwan's future.

III CEO Zhuo Zhenghong mentioned that III has been undergoing internal transformation in recent years, aiming to serve the government, industry, and academia as a third-party service provider. Therefore, the Software Institute has established units such as AI 133 LAB, FAITH Future Mobility Security Trust Evaluation Center, and Smart Pole ICT Interoperability Laboratory. They hope to combine their forward-looking R&D technologies with Feng Chia University's development of smart factories, unmanned aerial vehicle inspections, and digital twins, leveraging the practical experience of teachers and students to jointly create a smarter and more efficient ecosystem in recent years.

Taichung City Digital Governance Bureau Director Lin Gulong stated that Taichung Mayor Lu Xiuyan is committed to promoting Taichung as a smart city. The city government and Feng Chia University have also been long-term partners. They are pleased to see Feng Chia University and III engaging in exchanges and cooperation, not only showcasing new opportunities for smart city development but also setting a model for industry-academia collaboration. Taichung City has a well-established industrial structure and significant development potential, especially as the Shuinan Economic and Trade Park is set to become a core field for digital innovation and technology verification in the future, supporting the cultivation of 5G+AI talents and technology applications. They look forward to the continued deepening of cooperation between the two parties, injecting new energy into the development of digital Taiwan and smart Taichung, and creating fruitful results.

During this in-depth discussion among scholars and experts, three deans from Feng Chia University led their teams to discuss key issues of smart cities. Dean of the College of Engineering Wang Qichang focused on smart manufacturing, emphasizing smart manufacturing and cross-domain integration. Dean of the College of Information and Electrical Engineering Shen Zuwang explored digital transformation and industry empowerment from the digital transformation perspective. Dean of the College of Construction Su Zhaoming focused on smart transportation and urban governance, providing specific suggestions and development directions for smart city applications. These three discussions analyzed the development trends of industrial innovation and smart city applications from different perspectives and provided diverse suggestions and specific strategies for future development, which are of great significance for the practical application of smart cities promoted by Feng Chia University and III.

III Software Institute Director Meng Yiheng also stated that smart cities have become an important indicator for advanced cities worldwide. In the future, they will combine the strengths of Feng Chia University and the Taichung City Government to jointly build a smart city ecosystem, strengthen technical exchanges, talent cultivation, and field verification, assisting central and local governments in promoting industrial development and bringing more innovative momentum to smart cities.

Feng Chia University President Wang Wei (right) and III CEO Zhuo Zhenghong (left) officially signed the MOU on September 27.

Former Feng Chia University President and Distinguished Chair Professor Bing-Jean Lee introduced the event, expressing hope for future cooperation between the two parties to jointly develop forward-looking application technologies, build smart cities, and accelerate industrial upgrading.

Feng Chia University President Wang Wei, III CEO Zhuo Zhenghong, and Taichung City Digital Governance Bureau Director Lin Gulong witnessed the signing ceremony together.