Advisors have played key roles in Taiwan's science and technological (S&T) development, made science, technology, and innovation policy recommendations to the government. With the help from the Science & Technology Advisory Board (STAB) in the past, Taiwan has established various world-class industries including semiconductor, biotech, and IT, signifying its enormous impact over Taiwan's industry and technology. From 1980 to 2011, a total of 31 STAB Meetings were held in Taiwan, until the Board was put on hold in 2012.
As major changes have occurred to international politics and economies in recent years, in which Taiwan’s science & technology R&D and industry performance are generating worldwide attention, the demand for close collaborations with international partners has also grown steadily. Therefore, the Executive Yuan has recommenced the STAB mechanism in 2023. Convened by the Premier of the Executive Yuan, with a Minister Without Portfolio who oversees S&T development serving as its deputy convener, the STAB aims to recruit influential figures in S&T fields at home and abroad. Positioned to be Taiwan's highest-ranking S&T development advisory board, topics with comprehensive impact on Taiwan's economy, society, and industry in the future will be selected to propose recommendations on S&T developments from a national strategic perspective. At the same time, it will also give the rest of the world a chance to understand Taiwan's actions and practice. Through dialogue between the newly appointed advisors with domestic industry, government, and academia, the STAB Meeting anticipates to jointly plan key directions for S&T development in Taiwan.