Through both in-person and virtual meetings, the Committee of the 5th Hanseatic League of Universities (HLU) voted to award the hosting rights of the 2026 World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) Conference to National Chi Nan University (NCNU) in Taiwan.

PULI, TAIWAN — National Chi Nan University (NCNU) proudly announces three significant milestones on the global stage, solidifying its status as an emerging leader in innovation and sustainability in higher education.

First, NCNU has secured the hosting rights for two prestigious international university ranking events: the 2025 UI GreenMetric World University Rankings Announcement Conference and the 2026 6th Hanseatic League of Universities (HLU) Annual Conference and World’s Universities with Real Impact (WURI) Ranking Ceremony. These back-to-back global summits will bring together hundreds of university leaders, researchers, and policymakers from more than 30 countries to the heart of Taiwan.

Second, NCNU has entered the global top 100 in the 2025 WURI rankings, placing 99th overall, marking a substantial leap from its 118th position last year. In a year that saw 87 countries and 1,253 universities submit a total of 4,866 innovation cases, NCNU’s breakthrough highlights its exceptional performance under intense global competition.

Finally, NCNU President Dr. Dung-Sing Wuu has been appointed 2026–2027 rotating chair of the Hanseatic League of Universities (HLU). After hosting the 2026 conference, he will formally assume the chairmanship and will travel to Cairo in 2027 to hand over the leadership to Badr University in Egypt. This appointment marks a new chapter in NCNU’s international leadership and commitment to global collaboration.

The global innovation university rankings were officially announced by Dr. Dong-Sung Cho, Founding President of the Hanseatic League of Universities (HLU).

Innovation Recognized on the Global Stage

This year, NCNU’s excellence was particularly recognized in three WURI subcategories:

• 3rd in Funding for Sustainability – for its strategic and transparent use of resources toward long-term ecological and educational goals;
• 3rd in Infrastructure and Technology – for its integration of smart green architecture and digital governance;
• 20th in University Branding and Reputation – for building a distinct and mission-driven image both regionally and internationally.

These accolades reflect NCNU’s commitment to impactful education, real-world problem-solving, and community engagement. Located in the scenic town of Puli, NCNU has made consistent efforts to align academic development with regional sustainability, Indigenous knowledge systems, and cultural heritage preservation.

A Platform for Global Dialogue

The UI GreenMetric ranking, launched in 2010 by Universitas Indonesia, is the world's first university sustainability ranking. It evaluates institutions based on infrastructure, energy and climate change, waste, water, transportation, and environmental education. In 2024, over 1,400 universities from more than 95 countries participated. The 2025 edition will be held at NCNU, the first time the conference comes to Taiwan, marking a significant step in NCNU’s sustainability leadership.

Ten university presidents in April 2018 at Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen, the Netherlands founded Hanseatic League of Universities (HLU) and launched a university ranking system, which was named as “World’s Universities with Real Impact (WURI). It emphasizes entrepreneurship, ethical values, social responsibility, and student employability. The 2026 WURI Conference will again put NCNU at the center of international attention, reinforcing its commitment to innovative and inclusive education.

From Local Commitment to Global Recognition

President Wuu noted, “NCNU’s vision is to be a university that bridges local roots and global reach. Hosting two global ranking events and joining the WURI top 100 shows we are on the right path.”

He emphasized that these achievements stem from NCNU’s integrated strategy of sustainability, digital transformation, and educational innovation. “We believe in education that not only informs but transforms. These rankings affirm our dedication to preparing students for real-world challenges with creativity and responsibility.”

Looking Ahead

With a growing international profile, NCNU is poised to expand its global partnerships further. These two major international conferences will not only bring global visibility to the university but also offer invaluable opportunities for collaboration across academia, government, and industry.

From Puli to the world, NCNU continues to rise as a beacon of resilient, innovative, and globally engaged higher education in Taiwan.