October 23, 2021
On October 21, the Taiwan trade and investment delegation led by Minister Ming-Hsin Kung of the National Development Council and Minister Tsung-Tsong Wu of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), visited the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS). The delegation was welcomed by vice president of SAS, Dr. Zuzana Panzova, and his team of administrative directors in person. Taiwan’s delegation was joined by representatives of the Research and Development Agency (SRDA) and the Ministry of Education in the bilateral Science and Technology meeting to exchange views on the sci-technology industry, advanced education, and innovative research.
The Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS) is a prestigious scientific and research institution in Slovakia fostering fundamental research. Similar to the Academia Sinica in Taiwan, SAS features a substantial number of researchers and labs. The MOU signed between SAS and the Ministry of Science and Technology in 1996 has provided a foundation for R&D communities from both countries to implement S&T personnel exchange and cooperative research. Together, SAS and MOST have subsidized more than twenty three-year joint research projects. To further promote researcher mobility, MOST and SRDA have initiated the Project-based Personnel Exchange Programs (PPP) to encourage more joint research projects.
During the meeting, Minister Wu expressed his appreciation for the long-term partnership with SAS and SRDA, also encouraging scientists and researchers from both countries to further apply for funding opportunities provided by Horizon Europe to increase research quality and impact. In the presence of Dr. Vladimir Buzek, director of the Quantum Technology Center of SAS, also a member of EU’s Strategic Advisory Board (SAB) for Quantum Technology Flagship, Minister Wu stated that Taiwan spares no effort to promote the development of quantum technology. As a major player in the ICT industry, Taiwan is not only committed to the development of quantum computers, but also devoted to quantum communication technology field for effective cybersecurity. Minister Wu expressed high hopes for Taiwan's quantum technology research to be further connected with Europe through Dr. Buzek's networking in Europe, and looks forward to developing a closer collaboration in quantum technology in the future.
Witnessed by Minister Tsung-Tsong Wu of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan, Director General Wayne Wang of the Hsinchu Science Park Bureau and Director Filip Pastorek of the Research Centre of University of Zilina signed an MoU to enhance bilateral cooperation during a visit of Taiwan delegation to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia on October 22, 2021
Economic and industrial development in Slovakia is widely recognized in a high speed in recent years with diversified domains, where science park development is one of key policies. Operation model of science parks and research centers in Slovakia are similar to the research parks in the United States, which were established by universities with an aim to develop capacity of applied R&D, technology transfer, and corporate incubation. On the contrary, the Hsinchu Science Park carried out large-scale industrial clusters development in past decades in an eye to help local industry transformation and economic development, which is unique globally and has attracted a wide attention. By signing this MoU, Research Center of Zilina University and the Hsinchu Science Park Bureau are expected to establish bilateral cooperation programs via technology and talent interaction.
University of Zilina is with 65 years history, including 7 colleges and more than 7,700 students, which is one of the leading educational and scientific institutions in Slovakia, creating lots of jobs in Zilina, where academic research in transportation and communications are renowned globally. The university also fosters diversified international activities and launched many international cooperation projects in recent years. The Research Center of the university was established in 2013, focusing on development and evaluation technologies of transportation infrastructure, advanced materials, smart buildings, and renewable energy.
The Hsinchu Science Park is the first science park in Taiwan started in 1980, with missions to attract high-tech talents and investment in order to accelerate industrial transformation and economic growth, where both R&D and high-end production are allowed to move in the science park. Over past decades of development, the Hsinchu Science Park has turned out to be the largest IC industrial cluster in the world. There are over 600 high-tech companies in diversified industries employing more than 160,000 employees. Last year, revenue of the HSP reached 42.5 billion US dollars, where more than 70% of the revenue were contributed by IC industry. Biotechnology is another fast-growing industry at the HSP, specializing in new drugs and advanced medical devices development.
The Research Center of University of Zilina focuses technology research, while Hsinchu science Park is good at the development of applied-oriented technologies and production. Combining the advantages of both parties will create a win-win situation. Signing the MoU between both parties signifies a new milestone of bilateral cooperation in science and technology between Taiwan and Slovakia. Content of the bilateral cooperation is expected to implement via experience sharing and exchange of personnel at first, followed by soft landing services for innovative startups or teams, and technical or industrial cooperation among companies in both parties in the long term.
Chairman Jong-Shinn Wu of the Taiwan Space Industry Development Association, also Director General of the National Space Organization of the National Applied Research Laboratories under the Ministry of Science and Technology, signed a memorandum of cooperation with a Slovak space company 3IPK and partner company DECENT on the morning of October 22nd. The signing was made under the witness of Minister Tsung-Tsong Wu of the Ministry of Science and Technology, which is a step forward for the two countries in the cooperation of space technologies.
Decent is an Award winning startup blockchain software-as-a-service (SaaS) company. It applies the core technologies of blockchains to various products, including game payments, wallets, etc., while assisting customers in introducing blockchain technology. 3IPK is a space blockchain company that became a member of the Slovak Security and Defense Industry Association (ZBOP) in 2019. Through Decent's proprietary DCore blockchain software-as-a-service platform, 3IPK provides digital solutions for automated certification, supply chain, maintenance and process management processes for aviation, space, defense and other related industries.
3IPK and DECENT with the support of the Slovak Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei will provide a POC project in Taiwan based on the first ever blockchain application used by the European Space Agency. The partnership will also provide a link between different domestic space related companies and the blockchain industry.
Contact persons (Media):
Ms. Jennifer Hu
Department of International Cooperation and Science Education, Ministry of Science and Technology
Tel: +886-2-27377560
Email: jenhu@nstc.gov.tw
