SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

To realize the government’s Smart Taiwan 2030 vision, which aims to “Make Taiwan Innovative, Inclusive and Sustainable,” the National Science and Technology Council is strengthening cooperation with other ministries as it works to better understand the needs of the country’s diverse populace, integrate innovative technologies into everyday life and open up opportunities for new eco-friendly industries. With science and technology serving as a key driver of economic growth and national progress, the NSTC strives to advance related development by nurturing startups, promoting the nation’s three science parks and supporting academic research. It also implements a range of measures and programs to foster creativity and ensure research focuses on the needs of industry.

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.

ITRI’s expertise in technological innovation is best illustrated by its remarkable award achievements. Over the past 15 years, it has garnered 50 esteemed R&D 100 Awards, along with 12 Edison Awards since 2017 and seven Clarivate Top 100 Global Innovator recognitions since 2015. The Institute has also played a pivotal role in nurturing companies that have achieved significant success in the global market. Among them are Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) and United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), renowned as leading custom integrated circuit chipmakers worldwide.

Hosting seven national research centers covering four major areas of environment technology, information and communications technology, biomedical technology and S&T policies, National Applied Research Laboratories seeks to establish R&D platforms, support academic research, promote frontier science and technology and cultivate hightech talents. NARLab’s Taiwania supercomputers drive national scientific research and connect with industry.

In 2022, Taiwania served over 6,000 users, logged more than 18 million hours of weighted service time, and supported more than 1,800 research projects. Its users have published over 900 academic papers in the fields of physics, chemistry, mathematics, atmospheric science, engineering, and life science, helping to achieve many breakthroughs.

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 four decades, more than 500,000 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 has bases in Taipei and Tainan Cities, from which it works to build a vibrant international startup ecosystem. TTA is the voice of Taiwan tech startups, as well as a launching pad for global tech enterprises.