A visitor marvels at high-resolution images of flowers at the Taichung
World Flora Exposition in the central Taiwan metropolis. (Chin Hung-hao)
FACT FOCUS
- Taiwan is one of the world’s leading producers of
information and communication technology products.
- World Economic Forum ranks Taiwan 12th out of 141
economies in the Global Competitiveness Report
released in October 2019.
In April 2014, the National Science Council—the government’s
dedicated agency charged with advancing
science and technology development, supporting academic
research and promoting the nation’s three science
parks—was reorganized and renamed as the Ministry of
Science and Technology. While continuing its predecessor’s
innovative measures and programs, the MOST, with
a new organizational structure, aims to focus academic
research on the needs of industry as Taiwan relies on science
and technology innovation as a key driver of economic
growth and national progress.
The success of Taiwan’s high-tech enterprises is largely
attributable to the government’s generous funding of applied scientific development. With government
support, the Industrial Technology Research Institute,
National Applied Research Laboratories and Institute
for Information Industry all played important roles in
jump-starting the nation’s rise as a technological powerhouse
by conducting research, aiding the private
sector with R&D and exploring new technologies.
Supporting Innovation
ITRI’s innovative prowess is best illustrated by the fact
that in the past 12 years it has won a total of 41 highly prestigious R&D 100 Awards given out by U.S.-based
R&D Magazine, in addition to being named a Derwent
Top 100 Global Innovator for the third consecutive year.
The institute has been instrumental in establishing several
companies that have gone on to command prominent
positions in the global marketplace, including
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. and United
Microelectronics Corp., which are among the world’s
top custom integrated circuit chipmakers.
Hosting eight national research centers covering four
major areas of earth and environment, information and
communication technology, biomedical technology and
technology policies, NARLabs’ mission is to establish R&D
platforms, support academic research, promote frontier
science and technology and foster the development
of high-tech manpower. NARLabs’ FORMOSAT-5 satellite
has provided remote sensing images to 35 disaster
relief operations at home and abroad since its launch in
2017, highlighting the organization’s goal of achieving global excellence with a local impact. Its research outcomes
have additionally received six Outstanding S&T
Contribution Awards from the Executive Yuan in recognition
of major contributions to society.
The goal of III is to boost Taiwan’s global competitiveness
by providing a platform for digital transformation.
The institute conducts R&D on innovative ICT products
and applications. It also plays a key role in advancing
ICT development in the public and private sectors by
serving as a think tank on related policymaking and promoting
talent cultivation. Over the past three decades,
more than 480,000 professionals have received training
through III.
Taiwan’s tech ecosystem provides an ideal environment
for global investors looking to establish a presence in
Asia. Local venture capitalists, engineering service
providers and technology developers have extensive
experience collaborating on cutting-edge R&D. This is on display at Taiwan Tech Arena, a new hub for innovation
and startups that is attracting young entrepreneurs
from around the world. Bringing together accelerators,
venture capital firms and enterprises, TTA is a platform
for global exchanges and talent incubation. An estimated
100 startups are expected to form through the
hub each year, cultivating 2,000 entrepreneurs and
increasing investment.
After years of dedication by the public and private
sectors toward developing technological expertise,
Taiwan’s science parks are now home to clusters of
companies pursuing breakthroughs in fields such as
biotechnology, personal computing and peripherals,
integrated circuits, nanotechnology, optoelectronics,
precision machinery and telecommunications.