Dr. Derrick I-Hsien Ting is a Professor at the National University of Kaohsiung (NUK), Taiwan, where he also serves as Director of the Social Networks Innovation Center and President of the Taiwanese Association for Social Networks. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of York, United Kingdom, an MBA in Information Management from National Changhua University of Education, and a BBA in Business Administration from Chinese Culture University, Taiwan.

Dr. Ting’s research expertise spans Artificial Intelligence, Social Networks, Web and Data Mining, Web Intelligence, Knowledge Management, E-commerce, Recommender Systems, Big and Open Data, and Machine Learning. He is internationally recognized for his contributions to social network research and is ranked among the top scholars worldwide in this field (top 0.79%, ScholarGPS 2025). His work has been published in leading international conferences and has received multiple Best Paper Awards in Japan, Canada, and Korea.

In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. Ting is a recipient of several honors, including Distinguished Teacher, Distinguished Tutor, and Distinguished Young Researcher awards from the National University of Kaohsiung. His interdisciplinary interests also extend into creative practice, with his film Forged Memories being nominated or selected at multiple international film festivals across Kenya, Russia, Canada, Brazil, and global filmmaker platforms.

Through his academic leadership, international collaborations, and cross-disciplinary experience, Dr. Ting is committed to fostering global talent development, innovation, and industry–academia integration. His participation in the International Internship Pilot Project aims to provide students with meaningful international exposure, practical research engagement, and forward-looking perspectives at the intersection of AI, social networks, and global innovation.

The Social Networks Innovation Center (SNIC) at the National University of Kaohsiung is a leading interdisciplinary research hub dedicated to advancing the science and practice of social networks, digital connectivity, and innovation. SNIC integrates academic research, industry collaboration, and international exchange to address complex challenges arising from networked systems and data-driven environments in both societal and commercial contexts.

Established under the University’s College of Management, SNIC serves as a dynamic platform for scholars, practitioners, and students to collaborate on cutting-edge topics such as social network analysis, information technology applications, knowledge diffusion, and data-enabled innovation. The center promotes research excellence by organizing and supporting international conferences, symposia, and workshops that bring together global expertise and facilitate high-impact knowledge exchange.

SNIC also actively fosters partnerships with government agencies, industry stakeholders, and other research institutions to co-develop applied research projects, curriculum enhancements, and practical learning opportunities. Through these efforts, the center enhances both academic training and real-world problem solving, preparing students and researchers to contribute meaningfully to network-centric innovation ecosystems worldwide. 

As part of its mission, SNIC supports international engagement and interdisciplinary talent development — an ideal foundation for initiatives like the International Internship Pilot Project, where students can gain firsthand experience at the intersection of research, technology, and global collaboration.