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Dr. Devin Stephenson (left), president of Florida Polytechnic University, and Dr. Kuen-Suan Chen, president of National Chin-Yi University of Technology in Taichung, Taiwan, have signed an agreement to launch an international academic and research exchange program between the two institutions.

Florida Poly partners with Taiwan tech university to advance STEM innovation

February 25, 2026

Florida Polytechnic University and National Chin-Yi University of Technology (NCUT) in Taichung, Taiwan, are partnering to amplify their international research momentum and build new solutions for today’s evolving technological landscape.

The two institutions signed an agreement that allows for mutual exchanges of faculty for academic engagement, graduate and undergraduate students for study and research opportunities, and joint programs that strengthen connections between academia and industry. Potential collaboration areas may include mechanical and electrical engineering, advanced manufacturing, and technologies of the future.

The agreement was developed following an international trade and business development leadership mission to Asia in October 2025. Dr. Devin Stephenson, Florida Poly’s president, joined Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly and Secretary of State Cord Byrd on the mission to Taiwan and Japan to cultivate strategic global alliances.

“This partnership is a natural fit for two universities committed to applied, industry-driven STEM education,” Stephenson said. “We look forward to the mutual benefits this collaboration will bring to our faculty, students and research endeavors as we work together to advance academic excellence.”

Florida Poly is the state’s only university exclusively dedicated to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), positioning it as an emerging leader in STEM education and innovation. NCUT complements this focus as a distinguished tech institution celebrated for its strengths in engineering fields, with emphasis on practical, hands-on learning.

“We are excited to partner with Florida Poly to advance academic exchanges and research cooperation that benefit students and faculty at both institutions,” said Dr. Kuen-Suan Chen, president of NCUT.

The new partnership supports Florida Poly’s strategic goal of expanding its global engagement while creating opportunities for students and faculty to engage in cutting-edge research projects and academic exchanges. The five-year agreement takes effect immediately, with the opportunity for renewal to support continued collaboration.

 

Contact:
Lydia Guzmán
Director of Communications
863-874-8557

Session Details

This session will demonstrate that practical risk management is for everyone, regardless of a formal program. Attendees will learn actionable and simple strategies that are easy to implement, enabling them to start immediately by focusing on their top risks to build greater operational resilience and ensure the sustained success of their auxiliary enterprises.

Presenter Profile

Michelle Powell serves as the pioneering Risk Manager at Florida Polytechnic University, the state’s sole 100% STEM-dedicated institution. Having been with the university for nearly 11 years, Michelle transitioned from a leadership role in Admissions in October 2023 to establish and evolve the risk management function from the ground up. In this solo capacity, Michelle builds robust frameworks for our dynamic, young university, overseeing our insurance portfolio, consulting on third-party and event risks, and developing critical campus-wide training programs. Michelle has obtained the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) Enterprise Risk Management certificate and the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designations. Her distinct background in mathematics and engineering, combined with extensive higher education leadership, brings an analytical and strategic approach enhancing the institution’s resilience.