The National Science Council passed a four-year sciene and technology blueprint Feb. 22, outlining goals and guidelines for boosting the country’s competitiveness in this regard.
“The 2013-2016 National Science and Technology Development Plan is expected to assist in keeping Taiwan ahead of the curve going forward,” an NSC official said.
Containing seven goals, which are upgrading academic research, protecting intellectual property rights, promoting sustainable development, strengthening research and industry cooperation, encouraging integrated science projects, boosting scientific and technological innovation, and tackling sector brain drain, the proposal was draft based on conclusions of the ninth National Science and Technology Conference Dec. 17-18 last year.
It also took into consideration the opinions of Academia Sinica, the scientific and technological research sector, the industrial sector and relevant social organizations.
After review and approval by the Executive Yuan, the blueprint will be implemented by related government agencies, the official said.
Separately, the NSC found that its 2009-2013 National Science Technology Program—Energy project has delivered fruitful results in increasing energy independence, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting energy-use efficiency and structural change, as well as creating energy technology research plans.
The NSC said the program has achieved great success especially in energy conservation technologies such as high-efficiency yellow organic light-emitting diodes, variable frequency drive centrifugal chillers, smart electric grids and offshore wind farm development.
A total of 10,560 papers, 9,253 doctoral students, 1,007 patents and 1,069 cases of technology transformation were funded under the NT$25 billion (US$840 million) program, which also generated NT$37.26 billion in direct and indirect investment from the private sector. (THN)
Write to Rachel Chan at ccchan@mofa.gov.tw