Recognized among the "50 Most Influential Across Generations" by Wealth Magazine; receives another prestigious honor this year

Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao (left) presents the ITRI Academician medal to Asia University founder Dr. Chang-Hai Tsai (right)

Asia University founder Dr. Chang-Hai Tsai has been awarded the lifelong title of Academician by Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) on September 15, in recognition of his outstanding contributions across the fields of healthcare, education, and industry.

Last year, Dr. Tsai was selected alongside Nvidia cofounder & CEO Jensen Huang and AMD Chair & CEO Lisa Su as one of Wealth Magazine’s “50 Most Influential Across Generations.” This year, following in their footsteps, he became one of the select individuals to receive the ITRI academicianship, a distinguished honor commemorating his impact on national development and the welfare of people through technological innovation and industrial leadership.

At the award ceremony, Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao presented Dr. Tsai with the ITRI Academician medal. In his acceptance speech, he expressed his vision for Taiwan’s biomedical industry: under the guidance and collaboration of ITRI, he hopes it will become another “Protecting Mountain” (a metaphor for a national pillar) of Taiwan, ranking among the world’s top biomedical sectors. Dr. Tsai called for partnership among ITRI, academia, the healthcare community, and industry to cooperatively build the best global biomedical ecosystem and help Taiwan shine on the international stage. Present to celebrate were Asia University President Jeffrey J.P. Tsai and Vice President Neng-Yih Shih, among others.

Asia University founder Dr. Chang-Hai Tsai, newly inducted as an ITRI Academician, delivers his speech expressing the hope that Taiwan’s biomedical industry will become another "national protective pillar."

The ITRI Academician selection process, now in its 14th year, demands that nominees possess practical experience in industrial management and technological R&D, have demonstrated excellence in innovation and in successfully bringing technologies into industrial application, and have made significant contributions to national industrial development and people’s living standards. Past academicians have been heavyweight leaders in industry, offering their wisdom to guide Taiwan’s technological evolution. Usually up to ten individuals are selected each year. Previous inductees include TSMC’s founder Morris Chang, Acer’s Stan Shih, and Delta Electronics’ Honorable Chairman Bruce Cheng.

As the driving force behind Asia University, Dr. Tsai has focused on cultivating talent in AI, smart health, and big health industries. Asia University operates three affiliated hospitals; among these, the Fengyuan Hospital and Long-Term Care Center, along with a medical park, will be inaugurated in November next year. These facilities aim to combine smart healthcare, industry-academia partnerships, and to enrich medical resources in central Taiwan. Dr. Tsai’s vision seeks to closely integrate education, medicine, and industry, adhering to a “people-centered” core value, and blending professionalism with social responsibility — an innovative, cross-generational influence. This latest academicianship not only celebrates his personal leadership achievements but also enhances Asia University’s international reputation, affirming Dr. Tsai’s declared mission to “run a different kind of university” built upon educational innovation and cross-domain expertise.

Asia University founder Dr. Chang-Hai Tsai (right) receives the ITRI Academician honor, congratulated by Asia University President Jeffrey J.P. Tsai (left).

In particular, Asia University has since its founding pursued the educational philosophies of “Health, Caring, Innovation, Excellence,” actively introducing multinational resources, promoting industry-academia cooperation, and focusing development on forward-looking fields such as artificial intelligence and the big health industry. In recent years, the university has made remarkable progress in AI-enabled medical applications, long-term care services, and international exchange.

In particular, Asia University has since its founding pursued the educational philosophies of “Health, Caring, Innovation, Excellence,” actively introducing multinational resources, promoting industry-academia cooperation, and focusing development on forward-looking fields such as artificial intelligence and the big health industry. In recent years, the university has made remarkable progress in AI-enabled medical applications, long-term care services, and international exchange.

Asia University founder Dr. Chang-Hai Tsai (fourth from left, front row) honored as ITRI Academician, joined by President Jeffrey J.P. Tsai (third from right) and colleagues in celebration

Asia University founder Dr. Chang-Hai Tsai (fourth from left, back row) with fellow ITRI Academicians in a commemorative group photo