On February 3, 2026, a delegation from the College of Life Sciences and the Department of Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU) visited the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila for academic exchange. The visit focused on strengthening collaboration in natural products and functional molecule development, biomedical research applications, and student exchange and research-oriented training.
UST, located in the heart of Manila and with a history of more than 400 years, offers a rich academic environment where historical heritage and modern research facilities coexist. Its academic culture closely aligns with that of KMU, providing a strong foundation for deepening cooperation in education, research, and student mobility.
The academic meeting was attended by senior faculty and administrators from UST’s College of Science, Department of Chemistry, and Department of Biological Sciences, including Dean Rey Donne S. Papa, Assistant Dean Professor Ma. Claudette A. Agnes, Associate Professor Alan Rodelle Salcedo, Chair of the Department of Chemistry, Assistant Professor Reuel Bennett, Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences, as well as Assistant Professor Hao Wei Hsu-Yap and Instructor Katherine Yasmin Garcia. The UST delegation engaged in in-depth discussions with the KMU delegation on research collaboration and academic development.
During the exchange, the KMU delegation introduced the development priorities and research strengths of the College of Life Sciences. In particular, the Department of Biotechnology highlighted its expertise in natural product sourcing and analysis, functional molecule screening, bioactivity evaluation, and translational applications, emphasizing an interdisciplinary approach that integrates molecular and cellular biology, disease mechanisms, and biomedical applications.
Discussions further centered on leveraging the Philippines’ rich natural resources alongside KMU’s strengths in biomedical and molecular mechanism research, exploring opportunities for joint research projects in natural products and functional molecules, co-supervision of graduate students, and collaborative publications. Faculty-level research matching channels were established to facilitate long-term collaboration.
Regarding student development, the delegation introduced KMU’s Taiwan Experience Education Program (TEEP) and International Internship Pilot Program (IIPP), encouraging UST students to participate in short-term research internships at KMU and to pursue pathways toward graduate studies and dual-degree programs. Student response was enthusiastic, demonstrating strong interest in natural product research, biomedical applications, and overseas research training.
Overall, the visit significantly strengthened international collaboration between KMU and UST in natural products and functional molecule development, while laying a concrete and sustainable foundation for student exchange, research internships, and dual-degree programs, further enhancing KMU’s academic presence and partnerships in Southeast Asia.
Key Highlights
- Joint R&D in Natural Products and Functional Molecules
Leveraging complementary strengths in natural resources and biomedical research for translational applications. - Research-Oriented Student Exchange and Internships
Promoting international training through TEEP and IIPP programs. - Long-Term Academic Partnership
Advancing faculty matching, co-supervision, joint publications, and dual-degree program development.
