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Taiwan boosts science, technology cooperation with Australia, Sri Lanka
2019-03-05

Representatives from Taiwan’s NARLabs (right) and Australia’s ANFF display indigenous artwork depicting Uluru and kangaroos at the memorandum of understanding signing ceremony Feb. 25 in Taipei City. (Courtesy of NARLabs)

Representatives from Taiwan’s NARLabs (right) and Australia’s ANFF display indigenous artwork depicting Uluru and kangaroos at the memorandum of understanding signing ceremony Feb. 25 in Taipei City. (Courtesy of NARLabs)

A memorandum of understanding on semiconductor development, innovation and production was recently signed by Taipei City-headquartered National Applied Research Laboratories and Melbourne-based Australian National Fabrication Facility.
 
Under the pact, which was concluded Feb. 25, the two sides will cooperate in enhancing respective R&D capabilities and creating new opportunities for mutually beneficial market openings.
 
According to NARLabs, the agreement paves the way for the Ministry of Science and Technology-overseen organization to learn from ANFF’s successful experiences in biomedical materials, nanoelectronics, nanophotonics and polymers. This collaboration will help cultivate next-generation homegrown talents while strengthening core operational areas.
 
Also the same day, National Sun Yat-sen University in southern Taiwan’s Kaohsiung City launched the MOST-backed Taiwan and Sri Lanka Environmental Change Science and Technology Innovation Center on the campus of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJP).
 
Tien Chung-kwang, head of the Taipei Economic and Culture Center in India, said at the opening ceremony that the center will play an instrumental role in enhancing exchanges between the two countries in marine life and sea studies. Taiwan and Sri Lanka can share similar ocean acidification challenges and can work together in forging viable solutions for this serious issue, he added.
 
Ranil de Silva, a professor and the director of USJP’s World Class University Projects, expressed his sincere gratitude to the MOST for supporting the center, and said he expects it to deepen collaboration between NSYSU and USJP in related fields.
 
The MOU and center underscore the MOST’s commitment to fostering closer science and technology ties with New Southbound Policy target countries.
 
A key plank in the government’s national development strategy, the NSP is enhancing Taiwan’s agricultural, business, cultural, education, tourism and trade relations with the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, six South Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand. (HC-E)