The Executive Yuan will recommence the Science & Technology Advisory Board (STAB) at the end of 2023 after twelve years. The Premier of the Executive Yuan will act as the convener of the Board, which aims to jointly plan the direction of key science & technology developments in Taiwan through communications between a team of new STAB advisors and representatives from industry, government, and academia in Taiwan. To confirm the topics to be discussed, a pre-meeting was held by the Executive Yuan yesterday (Sep. 6) both offline and through video conference. Chaired by Minister Tsung-Tsong Wu, Deputy Convener of STAB, Minister Without Portfolio of Executive Yuan and Minister of National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), both Taiwanese and international key advisors were invited to exchange ideas. All attendees recognized semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and net-zero technologies as important topics that not only affect Taiwan, but also developments throughout the world, and will serve as the basis for discussion at the entire STAB meeting at the end of the year.
Deputy Convener Wu stated that, as major changes have occurred to international politics and economies in recent years, Taiwan's science and technology R&D and industry performance are generating worldwide attention, while the demand for close collaborations with international partners is also steadily growing. Therefore, it is high time to recommence the STAB mechanism in order to recruit influential figures in technological fields at home and abroad. Positioned to be Taiwan's highest-ranking technological development advisory board, topics with comprehensive impact on Taiwan's economy, society, and industry in the future will be selected to propose recommendations on technological 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.
Advisors have played key roles in the development of Taiwan's technological industry. With the help from the 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.
The advisors in attendance at the current meeting included Dr. James C. Liao, President, Academia Sinica; Dr. Chi-Huey Wong, Academician, Academia Sinica; Professor Wen-Chang Chen, President, National Taiwan University; Dr. Mark Liu, Chairman, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC); Mr. Ming-Kai Tsai, Chairman, MediaTek Incorporated; Dr. Hsiang-Tsung Kung, Academician, Academia Sinica; Dr. Ehud Keinan, President, International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) in Israel; and Prof. Dr. Robert Schlögl, President, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany. When exchanging thoughts and ideas, all believed semiconductors, AI, and net-zero technologies to be the core topics that will impact future developments over the next decade or so. On top of exceling in these topics, Taiwan can also play a key role in global relations.
Subsequently, the NSTC will invite relevant departments to form inter-ministerial meetings and to formally convene the STAB Meeting in mid December. At the same time, the NSTC is also grateful for Legislator Szu-YaoWu's continued concern and facilitation, as the conclusion of the upcoming conference will serve as an important reference for the government's future administration.