Following the announcement of strategic partnerships with Microsoft Taiwan, AMD, Far EasTone Telecommunications, and three of the Big Four accounting firms—PwC, EY, and KPMG—Tamkang University signed an MOU on industry-academia collaboration with Deloitte Consulting in July. Building on an industry-academia R&D partnership, the two sides will integrate academic research, industry expertise, and technological resources to advance collaboration in AI solutions, talent development, joint research and development, sustainability, and other areas, further strengthening the connection between academic research outcomes and industrial innovation.

Then-President Huan-Chao Keh stated, “Tamkang University has long been committed to cultivating professionals equipped with both specialized expertise and interdisciplinary capabilities, while actively strengthening our connections with industry so that the outcomes of academic research can genuinely respond to the needs of society and industry.” Guided by its institutional visions of “AI+SDGs=∞” and “ESG+AI=∞,” Tamkang seeks to make AI a key driver of development while integrating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals with corporate ESG practices to create limitless possibilities and value. Through its partnership with Deloitte, the university hopes to leverage the expertise of both parties in AI, sustainability, and related fields to establish a strong industry-academia R&D partnership, create more opportunities for students to gain practical experience and pursue professional development, and inject new momentum into talent cultivation and industrial upgrading in Taiwan.

Max Lin, COO of Technology and Transformation Services at Deloitte, noted that AI has become a critical driver for companies seeking to enhance competitiveness and achieve sustainable growth. Businesses are accelerating the integration of AI into strategic decision-making, operational processes, and business models to improve efficiency, strengthen the quality of decision-making, and create long-term value. As companies undergo AI transformation, he emphasized, they must simultaneously build essential capabilities in strategy, governance, talent, and technology in order to truly transform AI into a core competitive advantage.

Then-Dean of Tamkang University’s College of Engineering and College of Artificial Innovative Intelligence Tzung-Hang Lee stated that the College of Artificial Innovative Intelligence has established a comprehensive AI talent development system encompassing learning, hands-on practice, and professional certification, with more than 2,300 certifications earned in international AI credentialing programs. The partnership not only completes Tamkang University’s collaboration network with all four of the world’s Big Four accounting firms, but will also bring industry expertise in AI governance, digital transformation, and sustainability into teaching and research. Through expanded corporate projects, internships, and industry-academia collaboration, the partnership will accelerate the practical application of AI technologies and R&D outcomes while cultivating AI professionals whose capabilities are more closely aligned with industry needs.

Deloitte has long assisted businesses in advancing digital transformation and sustainable development. In recent years, it has further integrated AI throughout its consulting services, providing end-to-end AI transformation services covering AI strategy, governance framework development, technology implementation, and value realization. Ike Chen, Senior Executive Vice President of Deloitte’s Technology and Transformation practice, stated that the key to successful AI transformation lies in identifying use cases with genuine business value and establishing AI application models that can be sustainably scaled and implemented. In recent years, Deloitte has continued to invest in AI products and industry solutions, including Zora AI, the AMI business platform, and risk intelligence dashboards. These solutions are designed to help businesses improve operational efficiency, optimize decision-making, strengthen risk management and sustainability governance, and build AI-powered enterprises characterized by innovation, resilience, and sustainable competitiveness.

Under the MOU, the two parties will deepen mechanisms for industry-academia exchange and promote student internships, education and training programs, workshops, seminars, and a variety of professional courses to strengthen the professional knowledge and practical capabilities of students and personnel from participating organizations. Tamkang University will continue to provide students with a solid foundation of professional knowledge, while Deloitte will contribute industry-based skills training and professional guidance, helping students better understand workplace requirements and career development opportunities. Together, the two parties aim to cultivate digital professionals with interdisciplinary capabilities.

Beyond AI applications and talent development, Tamkang University and Deloitte will also bring together the strengths of industry, government, and academia to advance sustainability-related initiatives. By integrating educational and R&D resources, the two parties will jointly address sustainable development challenges facing local communities, industries, society, and the world. They will also establish mechanisms connecting R&D outcomes with new ventures, responding to regional industry needs for skilled professionals and future development while expanding the practical scope of industry-academia collaboration in sustainability.

SDGs #SDG04 Quality Education #SDG08 Decent Work and Economic Growth #SDG09 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure #SDG17 Partnerships for the Goals

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