Strengthening cooperation between Université Paris-Saclay and the National Tsing Hua University (NTHU)
Camille Galap, president of Université Paris-Saclay, had the pleasure of welcoming a delegation from National Tsing Hua University (NTHU), led by its president, Professor W. John Kao. The visit provided an opportunity to discuss potential cooperation with QUARMEN in the fields of quantum technologies and artificial intelligence, a collaboration that is currently under development.
An online workshop on quantum technologies, organised on 23 January, first provided an opportunity to assess and present the two ecosystems, highlighting the complementary expertise of the two institutions.
This meeting led, on 29 January, to the signing by the Department of Physics of National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) of a letter of intent to join the Erasmus Mundus QUARMEN Master’s programme as an associated partner. The proposal was initiated by Marino Marsi, professor at Université Paris-Saclay, researcher at the Laboratoire de physique des solides (LPS – Univ. Paris-Saclay/CNRS), and deputy director of the Quantum-Saclay interdisciplinary initiative, a federative centre established to accelerate quantum science and technologies, from education through to innovation1. Discussions subsequently focused on the practical arrangements and activities that NTHU could develop within the framework of this European programme of excellence.
QUARMEN2 is a two-year Erasmus Mundus Master’s programme in physics, specialising in quantum science and technologies. It aims to equip students with the key concepts and technologies underpinning quantum devices and quantum information.
President Kao expressed his wish to move beyond this non-binding letter of intent in order to further formalise the cooperation, notably by facilitating the hosting of students for research placements.
Strategic discussions on quantum technologies and artificial intelligence
Discussions therefore focused on prospects for collaboration in quantum technologies and artificial intelligence, two fields in which our institutions are recognised leaders, as well as on the associated challenges in terms of education and research. National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) expressed its interest in becoming actively involved in the international development of BrevetIA, a programme developed by the Institut DataIA Paris-Saclay3, which will soon offer an English-language course dedicated to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence.
Another highlight of the visit was President Kao’s presentation entitled “Challenges and Opportunities in the Semiconductor Sector”, as Taiwan is globally recognised for its expertise in this strategic industry. The presentation paved the way for discussions between the two universities on innovation, semiconductors and emerging energy technologies. The shared objective is to further strengthen links between education and research teams and the worlds of industry and innovation.
Strengthening a long-standing partnership
Université Paris-Saclay and National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) have maintained strong ties for several years, notably through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which formalises a framework agreement between the two institutions and lays the foundations for cooperation. The universities currently maintain active agreements covering joint PhD supervision and student exchanges in science, engineering and medicine. Partnerships also exist between NTHU and several member institutions of Université Paris-Saclay, including ENS Paris-Saclay, CentraleSupélec and AgroParisTech.
Jean-François Roch, professor at ENS Paris-Saclay, and Frédéric Pascal, Vice-President for AI at Université Paris-Saclay and director of the Institut DataIA Paris-Saclay, who were also present during this meeting on 6 February 2026, will lead the French delegation on AI and quantum technology at the 2nd edition of the Franco-Taiwanese Cooperation Forum, to be held in Grenoble on 20–21 April. On 22 April, the Taiwanese Minister of Science and Technology will be hosted to strengthen high-level political and strategic dialogue between Université Paris-Saclay and Taiwanese institutions.