Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU), Taiwan, College of Life Sciences, Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, launched a new graduate program titled “International Master's Program for Talent Cultivation in Chemistry and Biomedical Industries (INTENSE Program)” to welcome international students to pursue a Master’s degree at KMU, Taiwan. This program is approved by the Ministry of Education (MOE), Taiwan.
The Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, College of Life Sciences at KMU is dedicated to cultivating talents in life sciences and chemistry for both industrial and research applications. Equipped with advanced research facilities and an outstanding faculty, the college offers programs covering a wide range of academic fields, including biotechnology, medicinal chemistry, and biomedical sciences. Through interdisciplinary research and industry-academic collaboration, the college drives advancements in the biotechnology and healthcare industries. In addition to providing students with academic training and practical experience, the Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, College of Life Sciences collaborates closely with KMU’s four affiliated hospitals. It actively engages in research related to medicinal chemistry, biomedical materials, drug synthesis and trace analysis, biotechnology, and the development of specialty chemicals. These efforts have established the college as a leading academic institution in Taiwan's life sciences field.
This program at KMU is specially designed for international students. It aims to establish a seamless connection between academia and industry, attracting outstanding international students to study and develop their careers in Taiwan. Three enterprises have confirmed collaborations with the Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, College of Life Sciences at KMU: Consistent Electronic Materials Inc., Eternal Materials Co. Ltd., Resound Technology Co. Ltd.. These enterprises provide grants, which include initial administrative fees, a one-way flight ticket, a two-year full tuition waiver, living stipends, and internship allowances.
This program features a fully English-taught curriculum. Key highlights include:
1. Exploring and experiencing various advanced research techniques and equipment
2. Engaging in interdisciplinary research, with opportunities for collaboration in medicine and advanced life science coursework
3. Employment opportunities in Taiwan after graduation
In addition to acquiring professional knowledge and skills, this program also offers excellent opportunities for students to learn Chinese, improve their language proficiency, and gain a deeper understanding of Taiwanese culture, laying a solid foundation for their future careers.
Application Period:
Eligibility Review:
Application Review & Evaluation:
Admission Application Result:
KMU Scholarship Application Result:
Enrollment:
| Check | Items | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online Application Form | ||||
| KMU Scholarship application form | ||||
| An authenticated photocopy of the highest-level diploma (Chinese or English version is required if the certificate or diploma provided is in neither of the languages aforementioned.) | ||||
| A certificate of “being enrolled via International Students Admission Channel in a bachelor’s degree program or higher.” (for international students who have completed their bachelor degree program or higher in Taiwan) | ||||
| An authenticated photocopy of official transcript of the highest-level degree (Chinese or English version is required if the transcript is in neither of the languages aforementioned.) | ||||
| Financial statement/financial guarantee issued within recent 6 months that shows financial sustainability for study in Taiwan, or proof of the scholarship provided by a government agency, university, college, or private organization. (A guarantee template as Appendix 4) | ||||
| Proof of Nationality: □ Photocopy of a valid passport or certificate of nationality □ Photocopies of the applicant’s parents’ passports or certificate of nationality □ Taiwan Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) (if applicable) □ « Forfeited Nationality Permit Certificate » issued by Ministry of the Interior for at least 8 years (for applicants who hold foreign nationality, and once held R.O.C. nationality) □ « Certificate of Entry/Exit Dates » issued by National Immigration Agency (for applicants both hold foreign nationality and R.O.C. nationality) |
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| Proof of Language Proficiency | ||||
| Future Career Plan | ||||
| Two Letters of Recommendation | ||||
| Other documents required by the INTENSE Program | ||||
| Passport-size photograph | ||||
| Self-Check for Eligibility Verification & Declaration for International Students (as Appendix 6) |
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| Documents or proofs of other competences: | ||||
1. INTENSE Program Grants:
Recipients will receive a monthly living allowance of NT$10,000 and an industry-academia grant of NT$120,000 per semester during the period of enrollment in the INTENSE program. Initial administrative expenses upon first arrival in Taiwan and a one-time airfare will also be covered. However, the grant does not apply during any extended study period.
※ Obligations:
(1) Students who receive grants from the university's partner enterprises are obligated to work in Taiwan for a corresponding period based on the duration of the grant received.
(2) Recipients of a one-year enterprise grant are required to work in Taiwan for one year, while those who receive a two-year enterprise grant are required to work in Taiwan for two years.
※ Grant Repayment Principles:
(1) If a student withdraws from the INTENSE program before completion or fails to fulfill the employment obligation after graduation, the repayment principles for the received enterprise grant are as follows:
a. Circumstances Beyond the Student's Control That Do Not Require Repayment of the Enterprise Grant:
i. If the original partner enterprise discontinues the living allowance due to operational adjustments during the student's enrollment, and the student is unable to secure another enterprise willing to continue providing the allowance despite the university’s assistance, resulting in the student’s withdrawal from the INTENSE program.
ii. If the original partner enterprise has no job vacancies upon the student’s graduation due to operational adjustments, and the student is unable to find suitable employment despite the university’s job counseling and matchmaking efforts.
iii. If, during the student’s employment period, the partner enterprise commits any violation as specified in Article 14, Paragraph 1 of the Labor Standards Act, leading the student to terminate the contract, and the student is unable to secure suitable employment despite the university’s job counseling and matchmaking efforts.
iv. If the student passes away or is unable to continue their studies or employment due to a severe illness or accident, as certified by a teaching hospital accredited under the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s new hospital evaluation system, or if the student experiences a major family crisis that prevents them from continuing their studies or employment, as verified by the university.
b. Circumstances Attributable to the Student Requiring Repayment of the Enterprise Grant:
i. If a student withdraws from the INTENSE program due to personal reasons during their studies—such as transferring to another school or department, taking a leave of absence to return to their home country, or voluntarily abandoning the program despite university counseling—or if the student is expelled or dismissed according to university regulations, they must fully repay the received enterprise grant.
ii. If a student demonstrates poor academic performance and fails to meet the evaluation standards set by both the university and the enterprise, and despite university counseling, fails to improve and is subsequently expelled or dismissed according to university regulations, they must fully repay the received enterprise grant.
iii. If a student, after graduation, chooses not to work for the partner enterprise or within a relevant industry, and fails to comply despite university counseling, they must fully repay the received enterprise grant.
iv. If a student is lawfully dismissed from employment due to violations of company regulations and fails to comply despite university counseling, they must repay the enterprise grant proportionally based on the number of months not employed. Any period of less than one month will be rounded up to a full month.
v. If a student resigns from the partner enterprise before completing the required employment period corresponding to the duration of the grant received, they must repay the enterprise grant proportionally based on the number of months not employed. Any period of less than one month will be rounded up to a full month.
(2) During the mandatory employment period after graduation, students may, depending on the needs of the partner enterprise, be assigned to work at the enterprise’s overseas branches or employed by Taiwanese businesses abroad. If a student fails to fulfill the employment obligation with the partner enterprise, they must repay the received enterprise grant proportionally based on the number of months not employed with the enterprise. Any period of less than one month will be counted as a full month.
2. KMU Scholarships:
Applicants who are interested in KMU International Student Scholarship should apply while simultaneously fulfilling the application form (as Appendix 2). Recipients of the scholarship will receive a miscellaneous fee subsidy of NT$27,636 for one academic year. The list of the recipients for the KMU International Student Scholarship is reviewed by each academic year, and in accordance with regulations, it is subject to evaluation by the International Academic Committee based on merit. After approval by the President, the scholarship is awarded to eligible recipients.
For admission-related inquiries or technical issues with the online application, please contact the Admissions & Student Recruitment Division at enr@kmu.edu.tw
For inquiries about the INTENSE program curriculum, please contact the Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry at R011033@kmu.edu.tw
For scholarship inquiries, please contact the Office of Global Affairs at reachkmu@kmu.edu.tw