Maroc - TAIWANTODAY.TW - Top News - 01/Jan 00:00

Taiwan, Germany science organizations renew cooperative MOU

The Cabinet-level National Science and Technology Council and Germany’s Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH) renewed their cooperative memorandum of understanding Jan. 6 in Taipei City, highlighting the organizations’ joint work to sponsor research by outstanding young German scientists in Taiwan.   Inked by NSTC Minister Wu Cheng-wen and AvH President Robert Schlögl, the five-year MOU has been renewed three times since it was first signed in 2009. Recipients of the Humboldt Research Award also attended the signing ceremony, the NSTC said.   In his remarks, Wu mentioned meeting with Schlögl on his trip to Germany last September, during which they recognized the MOU’s key role in advancing Taiwan-Germany technology development and bilateral ties. He added that they both look forward to more collaboration between the two sides in the future.   In response, Schlögl said the AvH is one of the most important government-supported foundations in Germany in terms of cultivating scientific talent and carrying out relevant exchanges. Its long-term cooperation with the NSTC has had a deep impact on science research in Taiwan and Germany, he added.   According to the NSTC, Schlögl is an expert in green hydrogen technology, a field highly valued by the German government for its crucial role in achieving industrial net-zero emission goals. Hydrogen energy is one of the key areas of focus under the Taiwan-Germany science and technology arrangement, the council said, adding that the first batch of such cooperative projects were sponsored and implemented last October.   The NSTC said that a total of 10 Taiwan academics have received the Humboldt Research Award, which is presented to international scholars for their lifelong achievements, new discoveries or theories, as well as their long-term influence in their fields. The foundation also provides the Humboldt Research Fellowship to 600 academics and young postdoctoral researchers annually, with over 100 scholars from Taiwan receiving the honor, it said. (YCH-E)   Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw