National Sun Yat-sen University

National Sun Yat-sen University was established in 1980 along the Hsitzi Bay in the city of Kaohsiung, and has since been a thriving institution of higher learning. There are six colleges: Liberal Arts, Science, Engineering, Management, Marine Sciences, and Social Sciences, and one general education center. Equal emphasis is placed on the teaching and research of humanities as well as science and engineering. Since 2006 NSYSU has been granted by the Ministry of Education through the “Aim for the Top University Plan” to improve teaching and research. Outstanding academic achievements exhibited by many departments have landed NSYSU among the world’s top universities in many academic rankings.

The NSYSU campus is uniquely situated at the crossing of hills and sea, and adjacent to the Kaohsiung Harbor. Our strategic geography prompted our feature advancements in marine research, which heeds to Kaohsiung’s aspiration to develop into a Marine Capital, as we become the leading academic institution of marine sciences in Taiwan. The university encourages interdisciplinary collaboration between marine studies and other academic fields so as to stimulate new ideas and research directions. NSYSU is ranked in the top 200 by ESI in the fields of engineering, mathematics, and information engineering. We are also highly competitive in the fields of communications engineering, electronic commerce, materials science, and optoelectronics.

NSYSU has sister-university agreements with over 160 universities from more than 30 countries around the world. Within these partnerships we engage in student exchange programs, dual degree programs, joint dissertation supervisions, research collaborations, and co-sponsorship of symposiums. We are dedicated to creating an internationalized campus. Each year over 1,200 foreign students come to NSYSU for degree programs, exchange programs, research fellowships, or language learning. The vast array of activities provides ample opportunities for domestic students and foreign students to interact and bridge their understanding of different cultures.

The campus is located in the scenic Hsitzi Bay and surrounded by the Longevity Mountain and the Taiwan Strait. The spectacular beach offers a natural venue for recreation and water sports, and the sunset is the most popular scenery sought by tourists from all over the world.

In 1923, just two years before his untimely demise, the Founding Father of the Republic of China (ROC), Dr. Sun Yat-sen, established two universities, one civil and one military. The civil university was Kwangtung University (renamed Chungshan University in 1926), and the military university was Whampoa Military Academy. Both univserties generated remarkable contributions and played an important education role in modern Chinese history.

After Chungshan University (or Sun Yat-sen University) was established in Canton, it had to move south due to the Sino-Japanese War. The university moved first to Yunnan, and later to Yuehpei. Finally, in 1945, the university settled back to its original campus in Canton, and schooling continued.

In 1949, the government of the ROC moved to Taiwan. The National Sun Yet-sen University (NSYSU) was meant to be re-established, but the right timing never came along until 1980, when Dr. Huan Li established the university on its current campus at Hsitzu Bay in Kaohsiung. Succeeding presidents Dr. Chin-chi Chao, Dr. Chi-Yuan Lin, Dr. Victor W. Liu, Dr. Chung-cheng Chang and current president Dr. Hung-Duen Yang, all carry the tradition of nurturing the university's growth and development. When it was established, the university had four departments, two graduate institutes, and 189 students. Today, the university has six colleges (Liberal Arts, Sciences, Engineering, Management, Marine Sciences, and Social Sciences) and over 9300 students, offering 19 undergraduate majors, 34 master programs, and 26 doctorate programs. NSYSU has grown tremendously and recognized as one of Taiwan's important research and learning institution with international distinction.

Blessed with unique historical background, NSYSU enjoys the honor of being a university with outstanding tradition. Infused with the Taiwan Experience after the re-establishment in Kaohsiung, NSYSU is a young and vivacious university with positive outlooks.

National Sun Yat-sen University has an unique campus facing Sizi Bay and Taiwan Strait, bounded by the Longevity Hill and Mount Chai. Yet, the campus is conveniently accessed through a tunnel to downtown Kaohsiung. Sizi Bay is one of the most famous scenic spot and for water activities in Kaohsiung City and it is located right inside the campus. With the beautiful sunset attracting students and tourists from all over the world. Mount Chai was part of the military base in the past and has now opened to the public as a recreation park. Variety of natural habitats, most well-known being the Formosan Rock Macaque (as in photo) & plants offer great recreational experience. The tunnel was built in 1933 and used as a bomb shelter during the war. Currently, it is a convenient pathway on foot and bicycle from campus to downtown.

The right place to refresh your mind & catch up with friends! You can find busy student activities throughout the year and just join the fun! The villa was built in 1937 by the Japanese and served as the villa of the former President Chiang Kai-shek. Since the establishment of the university in 1980, the villa has been transformed into an art gallery with exhibitions throughout the year. Next to the villa is the official state car shipped from Nanjing on display. The main performance hall serves as a regional venue for variety of performances year round. The hall has three floors and houses 1,374 seats. Performances of the NSYSU orchestra, the Baroque Camerata, can be seen regularly.
Sun Yat-sen Hall photo

The sports field area was reclaimed from the sea and the facilities include track, field stadium, volleyball courts, basketball courts, softball field, skating rink, and swimming pool. The gymnasium houses indoor table tennis court, basketball court, badminton court and fitness center.