Canadian computer scientist Pierre Loisel was awarded the Friend of Foreign Service Medal Aug. 6 by Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu for his decadeslong contributions in fields spanning environmental protection, information and communication technology and Taiwan-Canada trade ties.
A resident of Taiwan since 1964, Loisel played a significant role in fostering the local ICT industry, Wu said during the presentation ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taipei City. He assisted with the launch of the world’s first Chinese computer interface as well as the development of the nation’s directory assistance service, the minister added.
According to Wu, in 1983 Loisel founded the Canadian Society, the forerunner to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan, and helped facilitate the establishment of the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei three years later.
In response, Loisel expressed gratitude to the MOFA for this recognition, adding that the medal is a special gift marking his 54 years living in Taiwan. He also thanked his family and friends, stating that his achievements would not have been possible without their support.
Over the course of a long and distinguished career in the ICT sector, Loisel upgraded computer systems for such prominent organizations as state-owned Taiwan Power Co. and National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, the primary R&D organization of the Ministry of National Defense. The engineer also helped Hewlett-Packard Co. to set up its offices in Taiwan.
After leaving the ICT industry in 1992, Loisel delved into his passion for environmental protection and food safety, establishing a farm in 2000 in Sanzhi District of New Taipei City to promote organic agricultural practices and the recycling of kitchen waste. (CPY-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw