Plasma science has been a newly-developing area since 1950's. The research topics in plasma science cover widely from space sciences, astrophysics, fusion energy, and high-power millimeter microwave sources, etc. In addition, plasma sciences can also be applied to industrial, medical, and military facilities development. At present there is no other domestic institution adopting plasma sciences as its primary goal. Also, there is only one institute focusing on space sciences, which is the Institute of Space Sciences in National Central University. For astrophysics, there are only a few academic institutes with complete graduate programs:  Institute of Astrophysics in National Central University, National Taiwan University, and National Tsing-Hua University, respectively.

 

National Cheng Kung University has established Institute of Space, Astrophysical, and Plasma Sciences since August of 2008, and then renamed as Institute of Space and Plasma Sciences in August of 2013. Incorporated with the research momentum from Plasma and Space Science Center established from 2006, the institute has started to advance researches such as on experiments, theory, and simulation on various plasma phenomena. The institute also joins space science experiments for satellites and rocket missions, national astronomical observational projects, and international fusion energy research joint plan. At the same time we also promote research activities on high-energy astrophysics based on plasma sciences. By performing this strategic plan, the institute can produce excellent scholars in high-temperature plasma, space sciences, astrophysics, and fusion energy at both master and doctoral levels. The initial stage is to establish this institute to be an educational and research institute in space, astrophysics, and plasma sciences in Taiwan and ultimately advance to the top academic/research institute of the world in the future.