NTU Ranks 21st Globally in THE’s New Interdisciplinary Rankings

On November 21, 2024, The Times Higher Education (THE), in collaboration with the Schmidt Science Fellows program, released its inaugural Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2025. National Taiwan University (NTU) ranked 21st among 794 universities from 92 countries. The top 30 universities were dominated by 13 institutions from the United States, followed by 4 from Hong Kong. NTU is the only Taiwanese university in the top 30, reflecting its excellence in interdisciplinary research.

The rankings assessed universities based on three key criteria: Inputs (funding and infrastructure), Process (management support and initiatives), and Outputs (research quality and reputation). NTU excelled in research output and international reputation, showcasing its impact beyond single disciplines in addressing global challenges.

A notable example of NTU's interdisciplinary success is the 2024 Edison Awards gold medal, often called the “Oscars for Innovation,” won by Prof. Chien-Chang Lee of NTU Hospital’s Department of Emergency Medicine. His HoloXMed innovation integrates medicine, engineering, and IT to transform medical education and diagnosis. Utilizing Microsoft’s HoloLens 2, HoloXMed converts 2D CT scans into 3D holographic images within 30 minutes, with applications in trauma diagnostics, surgical planning, remote consultations, and medical education.

NTU has long been committed to cultivating interdisciplinary talent, having established a comprehensive support system. During every University Council, the president underscores the importance of deepening interdisciplinary collaboration and fostering forward-looking initiatives. To achieve this, NTU funds interdisciplinary seed projects, providing financial support for faculty and students to pursue innovative research. The university also regularly hosts interdisciplinary exchange forums to encourage collaboration and idea-sharing. In terms of research facilities, NTU actively promotes shared access to advanced instruments and continuously improves its research environment to accommodate the diverse needs of interdisciplinary studies. This strategy ensures that researchers have the resources they need to explore groundbreaking ideas across different fields.

NTU also offers personalized learning guidance and planning services. Students receive tailored advice to design individual learning paths that align with their strengths and interests. To enhance practical experience, NTU collaborates with industry partners through initiatives like the International Mentorship Program, providing students with diverse opportunities to gain real-world experience in interdisciplinary settings, bridging academia and industry.

For faculty, NTU actively encourages participation in interdisciplinary research and submission of findings to international journals, leveraging global collaboration to amplify the university’s academic influence. These efforts have led to significant recognition, with NTU’s contributions to interdisciplinary research standing out on the world stage.

NTU President Wen-Chang Chen emphasized that the recent global ranking reflects the university’s achievements in interdisciplinary science research. NTU’s broad and in-depth interdisciplinary work has earned high regard, and the institution remains dedicated to resource integration and diverse collaborations. Looking ahead, NTU aims to further enhance interdisciplinary research and strengthen its international impact.

These sustained efforts not only demonstrate NTU’s leadership in advancing interdisciplinary research but also solidify its position as a key contributor to solving global challenges through innovation and collaboration.

• For the complete rankings and breakdowns, visit the THE website: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/interdisciplinary-science-rankings-2025-results-announced
• The Schmidt Science Fellows is an international postdoctoral research fellowship funded by the Schmidt Foundation, established by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and his wife, Wendy Schmidt. The program aims to cultivate the next generation of interdisciplinary scientific leaders by encouraging in-depth research across disciplines to address complex global challenges. For more information, visit: https://schmidtsciencefellows.org/