Taiwan is the world’s No. 1 producer of made-to-order chips. Shown here is a scene inside TSMC’s facility, Fab 12, which produces 12-inch IC wafers. (Courtesy of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.)

09四校OK.indd 118 2011/10/18 12:36:56 AM

119

At a Glance

Global surveys give Taiwan high scores for its science and technology (S&T) environment and innovation. Still, its S&T community, including government-supported institutions, universities and private enterprises, are striving to embrace

creativity as the primary force that will enable them to remain dynamic and competitive.

Collaboration between these sectors is producing valuable fruits. They range from powerful next-generation computer processors and nano-scale computer memory units to pharmaceutical and radiological therapies for cancer, and from satellites that boost the accuracy of mete-orological and climatic analyses to advances in wireless and broadband Internet communications that greatly expand vistas for e-learning and access to valuable software resources.

A critical factor in Taiwan’s fast-paced evolution over the past six decades, from an impoverished agrarian economy to a prosperous knowledge-based economy, has been government development programs. This chapter focuses on the contributions of such programs to Taiwan’s maturing research and development capabilities.

Profiles of publicly supported S&T organizations and programs•

Nanotechnology playing a critical role across the board•

Pushing innovation through interdisciplinary and international collaboration •

Transforming Taiwan into a global cloud-computing nerve center •

9 Science and Technology

09四校OK.indd 119 2011/10/18 12:36:58 AM

9Science and Technology

120

The Rise of a High-tech Powerhouse

The Republic of China government’s first comprehensive set of science and technology (S&T) policies, the Guide-lines for the Long-range Development of Science 國家長期發展科學計畫綱領, were formulated in 1959. The same year saw the establishment of the Cabinet-level Na-tional Science Council (NSC) 行政院國家科

學委員會, mandated to play a leading role in planning and promoting S&T develop-ment. Since the late 1960s, a number of publicly supported R&D institutions (see section so named) have been established under the NSC, the Department of Indus-trial Technology (DoIT) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) 經濟部技術

處 and the Cabinet-level Atomic Energy Council (AEC) 行政院原子能委員會. And be-ginning in 1980, numerous highly produc-tive science parks have been established under NSC supervision.

In the private sector, meanwhile, high-tech, capital-intensive firms such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufactur-ing Co. 台灣積體電路製造股份有限公司 and United Microelectronics Corp. 聯華電子

股份有限公司 pioneered—and have con-tinued to dominate—the global market for custom-designed integrated circuit (IC) chips for use in computers and a vast variety of other products. Further, ever since the 1990s, Taiwanese manufactur-ers have produced most of the world’s personal computers and hold large shares of the global market for other consumer electronics products. They are also major suppliers of high-end components used in the manufacture of the products of internationally famous companies such as Apple, Microsoft, Intel, HP and Sony. Among the most important of such com-ponents are IC chips and flat-panel dis-plays, of which Taiwan has long been the world’s No. 1 or No. 2 producer.

The 1990s saw the launch of a series of National Science and Technology Pro-grams (NSTPs) 國家型科技計畫 to address developmental needs ranging from tele-communications to disaster prevention. Meanwhile, the Fundamental Science and Technology Act 科學技術基本法 of 1999 provided a sounder legal framework for government promotion of S&T develop-ment. And in that same year, with the launch of the FORMOSAT-1 satellite 福爾

摩沙衛星一號 the ROC joined the ranks of space-exploring nations.

The ROC central government bud-get for S&T came to NT$94.19 billion (US$2.98 billion) in 2010 and NT$92.55 billion (US$3.14 billion) in 2011. The gross domestic expenditure on R&D was NT$367.17 billion (US$11.11 billion) in 2009. Of that amount, 29 percent was funded by the public sector, 71 percent by the private sector.

Global surveys have consistently given Taiwan high scores in their S&T-related in-dices. It is in sixth place in the category of technological infrastructure among the 59 top economies surveyed in the 2011 World Competitiveness Yearbook, compiled by the International Institute for Management Development. And among the 139 econo-mies surveyed in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 2010-2011, it is ranked No. 1 in the sub-index of new utility patents per million population, No. 6 in quality of math and science education, No. 8 in availability of scientists and engineers, No. 8 in Internet access in schools, and No. 9 in company spending on R&D.

For many years, Taiwan has ranked among the top five countries for the num-ber of patents issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. It was the No. 4 recipient of all types of U.S. patents over the period 1986 to 2010. In terms of out-put of scientific papers, Taiwan ranked 16th worldwide in 2009 for the number

09四校OK.indd 120 2011/10/18 12:36:58 AM

121

of papers published in journals tracked in Thomson Reuters’ Science Citation Index, and ninth for those published in journals tracked in the organization’s En-gineering Index.

S&T-related Government Agencies

Among government agencies that have been crucial players in building the na-tion’s S&T infrastructure and launching high-tech Taiwanese firms are the NSC, the DoIT and the AEC. Another agency that has made valuable contributions to S&T development is the Cabinet-level De-partment of Health (DOH) 行政院衛生署.

Research organizations overseen by these government agencies undertake a vast array of R&D projects, often in col-laboration with each other and researchers in academia and the private sector. The development and application of nano-scale materials, for example, has become of such paramount importance in virtually every field of science and manufacturing that projects involving nanotechnologies are common to all R&D institutions.

Owing to the overwhelming impor-tance of science and technology to the nation’s development, S&T-related gov-ernment agencies are being revamped to spur a greater momentum for innovation. In 2012, the NSC will merge with the AEC to form the new Ministry of Sci-ence and Technology.

National Science CouncilThe NSC is vested with the primary

responsibility of drawing up long-range national S&T development policies and activities, including planning for the NSTPs. It provides guidance and fund-ing to academic researchers and oversees NSTP projects as well as R&D activities

of the National Applied Research Labora-tories (NARL) 國家實驗研究院. In addition, it supervises the development and opera-tions of the nation’s science parks.

The NSC annually reviews the S&T development plans of government orga-nizations for the coming year in order to ensure effective execution of government policies, avoid overlaps and enhance co-ordination and integration of programs.

The NARL’s primary missions are to establish platforms for cooperation in cutting-edge R&D, provide technical support for academic research and foster S&T talents. Currently, the NARL com-prises 12 divisions focusing on five broad categories: nanoelectronics, space tech-nology, S&T informatics, environmental disaster prevention and biotechnology.

MOEA Department of Industrial Technology

The DoIT is mandated to boost the private sector’s technological sophis-tication and help create vibrant new enterprises. Both goals are powerfully advanced through R&D and start-up incubation services performed by re-searchers and other specialists at the DoIT-administered Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) 工業技術研究院 and Institute for Information Industry (III) 資訊工業策進會, as well as at university laboratories and NARL facilities.

With DoIT financial backing in the form of Technology Development Pro-gram (TDP) 科技研究發展專案計畫 grants, these institutional experts collaborate with private enterprises to develop and bring to market new high-value products and services. Since 2005, total TDP fund-ing has grown at an annual average rate of around 5 percent. In 2010, TDP projects were budgeted at over US$628 million, representing an increase of 6.74 percent over the previous year.

09四校OK.indd 121 2011/10/18 12:36:59 AM

9Science and Technology

122

Taiwan’s World-leading High-tech Industries in 2010

Ranked No. 1

CategoryProduction Value

(US$ million)Global Share

(%)

Mask ROM 279 97.9IC testing 3,947 71.2Custom IC fabrication 17,612 65.6Optical discs 1,031 53.8IC packaging 8,516 46.5Electro-deposited copper foil 851 36.7

Ranked No. 2

Personal navigation devices 1,887 38.0Large-sized TFT-LCD panels 25,976 32.2Organic LED panels 249 26.1IC substrates 1,803 23.2IC design 12,955 21.7Small and medium-sized TFT-LCD panels 3,933 19.4

Note: This table excludes overseas production by Taiwanese companies.Source: Industry and Technology Intelligence Service, Ministry of Economic Affairs

TDP-supported institutional-sector projects currently focus on fields such as optoelectronics, cloud computing, electric vehicles, robotics and green en-ergy. In connection with such projects, more than 1,000 patents are granted an-nually to public R&D institutions, while their revenues from patent royalties and technology transfers to the private sec-tor amounted to over US$240 million between 2005 and 2010.

From the launching of industrial-sector TDP grants in 1999 until the end of December 2010, funding for a total of 687 R&D projects was approved, involv-ing nearly 15,000 S&T professionals at 1,135 enterprises. Over the period, TDP grants totaling US$540 million, matched by US$1.23 billion in private investment, generated a production value 11.3 times greater than the investment.

As for TDP-backed academic-sector projects, by June 2010, 21 participating universities had established 56 special-ized R&D centers, some of them serving as business start-up incubators. As of that date, 576 commissioned projects had been completed, involving 98 instances of coop-eration between multiple academic, public and private organizations as well as 240 instances of international collaboration. In the process, 539 patents were generated and 429 technology transfers were carried out.

Atomic Energy Council The AEC oversees the nation’s various

nuclear-related affairs. As the country’s nuclear safety regulator, the AEC’s major tasks include:

oversight of construction and operation • of nuclear power plants;

09四校OK.indd 122 2011/10/18 12:36:59 AM

123

control of ionizing radiation in medical, • agricultural, academic and industrial applications; formulation and enforcement of regula-• tions concerning handling, treatment, storage and disposal of radioactive waste and nuclear materials; planning of and preparation for nuclear • emergency response; andmonitoring of environmental radiation • in air, water and foodstuffs, including operation of a real-time gamma radia-tion monitoring system.

The AEC is also charged with foster-ing the development and utilization of nuclear technology, primarily through R&D conducted by its associated Institute of Nuclear Energy Research (INER) 行政

院原子能委員會核能研究所.

Publicly Supported R&D InstitutionsInstitute of Nuclear Energy Research

Founded under the AEC in 1968, the INER conducts a wide range of R&D on energy technologies, nuclear safety technologies and radiation applications. It also provides extensive technical support to the AEC’s regulatory efforts in areas such as comprehensive safety assessments of and technological upgrades for the three plants currently in service, power plant license renewals, and construction of a new nuclear power plant.

In the field of nuclear safety, a major focus of the INER’s activities has been the development of methods for treat-ment and disposal of radioactive waste materials. Among other accomplishments in this area, it has developed relatively inexpensive materials that absorb various types of radionuclides from the cool-ant water of nuclear reactors and other

difficult-to-manage radioactive fluids. They can also be used to treat wastewater generated by electroplating processes or from water polluted by laundry detergents and other chemicals.

The INER’s R&D efforts in the area of green energy technology include de-velopment of solid oxide fuel cells, cel-lulosic ethanol production methods, high concentration photovoltaic systems and wind power generation systems.

In the field of medicine, meanwhile, the INER has completed development of intravenously administered nano-scale liposomes that deliver rhenium-188 ra-dioisotope atoms to cancerous tumors. Among the advantages of this approach to cancer therapy is the fact that the half-life of Re-188 is short, reducing the damage its radiation may cause to normal cells as well as side effects associated with con-ventional chemotherapy.

AEC management and INER re-searchers have maintained close ties with their foreign counterparts. An important aspect of such interaction is routine visits by their respective personnel to each oth-er’s R&D and power-generation facilities and participation in international confer-ences and seminars.

National Nano Device Laboratories

The National Nano Device Laborato-ries (NDL) 國家實驗研究院奈米元件實驗室

is one of the NARL’s 12 research centers. The NDL’s leadership in the field of micro-electronics was demonstrated at the annual International Electron Devices Meeting in December 2010 in San Francisco, where it unveiled the world’s smallest functional resistive random-access memory (RRAM) cell with a diameter of only 9 nanome-ters. The event organizer, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, gave the NDL report top billing while major

09四校OK.indd 123 2011/10/18 12:36:59 AM

9Science and Technology

124

Satellites jointly developed by Taiwan and the United States, includingthe highly reputed FORMOSAT-2 and FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC satellites, are monitored at the NSPO’s Satellite Operations ControlCenter in Hsinchu.

specialized media, including Low Power Engineering Community and Nihon Keizai Shimbun, characterized the nano device as an important breakthrough.

This new nano RRAM has 20 times more storage capacity than current flash memory yet requires only 0.5 percent of the power consumed by flash memory, thus opening up new frontiers for min-iaturization of electronic information devices. The NDL anticipates that this new technology can be brought to market within the next few years. To that end, it is planning to organize a consortium of industrial, academic and public-sector researchers to accelerate development of applications of memory devices that em-ploy nanotechnology and CMOS (com-plementary metal oxide semiconductor) materials such as tungsten oxide, as well as cultivation of expertise in the semicon-ductor industry.

National Space Organization Established by the NSC in 1991, the

National Space Organization (NSPO) 國

家實驗研究院太空中心 became a division of the NARL in 2003. The NSPO’s mission is to advance Taiwan’s space-related R&D capabilities, oversee its various space programs, and make Taiwan a significant player in the global space community.

While NSPO programs are diverse, a major focus of its activities has been satellite-based scientific research. As of 2010, the NSPO had undertaken three highly successful satellite missions—FORMOSAT-1, FORMOSAT-2 and FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC—the latter two still operational as of mid-2011.

FORMOSAT-1 and FORMOSAT-2Jointly developed with U.S.-based

TRW Corp. and launched in January 1999, the FORMOSAT-1 satellite’s func-tions included imaging of ocean color,

measurement of ionospheric phenomena and testing of Ka-band radio communica-tions technology.

Launched in May 2004, FORMOSAT-2 is a high-resolution remote-sensing satel-lite with the unique capability of monitor-ing virtually all locales on the planet on a daily basis. It has received international recognition as a valuable tool for assessing conditions in natural disaster areas as well as changes in environmental conditions. In 2010, the NSPO supplied FORMOSAT-2 images to foreign organizations requir-ing the latest information on the massive volcanic activity in Iceland and the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and provided images to ROC government agencies in

09四校OK.indd 124 2011/10/18 12:37:04 AM

125

connection with national land planning and environmental monitoring.

FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC is a col-

laborative effort of several institutions led by the NSPO and the United States’ University Corporation for Atmosphere Research, whose affiliated university re-searchers contributed the name COSMIC, an acronym for Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate. In contrast with the two previ-ous FORMOSAT programs, the mission involves not just a single satellite but a constellation of six microsatellites carried into space by a single launch vehicle in March 2006. They constitute an integrat-ed system that collects atmospheric data for multiple purposes concerning meteo-rology, climate change, ionospheric con-ditions, space weather and geodesy. It is the first-ever such system to employ GPS radio occultation (RO), which utilizes radio signals from the Global Positioning System constellation of satellites.

Over its first five years, the mission generated an average of 1,500 to 2,000 RO data profiles daily and accumulated over 2.56 million atmospheric and 2.64 million ionospheric data profiles. As of April 2011, there were over 1,500 registered users of the FORMOSAT-3/ COSMIC data in 55 countries, and the weather bureaus of more than a dozen na-tions had incorporated it as an integral part of their routine forecasting operations.

Future ProjectsIn view of the universally acclaimed

value of the FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC mission, the NSPO has signed an agree-ment with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to jointly develop a next-generation RO system of 12 sister satellites, designated in Taiwan

as FORMOSAT-7. Planning is also un-derway to launch a new high-resolution remote sensing satellite, FORMOSAT-5.

Industrial Technology Research Institute

Established in 1973, the ITRI is inter-nationally renowned for its diverse R&D capabilities, its voluminous output of innovative technologies and its success in incubating vibrant new enterprises. In addition to its numerous research divi-sions, the ITRI operates the OpenLab business incubation unit and the ITRI College, which enables professionals in high-tech fields to catch up with cutting-edge technologies. The ITRI also ad-ministers the highly reputed industrial intelligence-gathering Industrial Eco-nomics and Knowledge Center (IEK) 產業經濟與趨勢研究中心.

In June 2011, the ITRI won U.S.-based R&D Magazine’s “R&D 100” awards for two of its new technologies—the fourth year in a row that it had been so honored. One of them, i2R e-Paper is a type of re-writable paper-substitute plastic that holds static images without consuming electric-ity and has a relatively high resolution of 300 dpi (dots per inch), or 90,000 dots per square inch. To change the image, the e-paper is fed through a thermal printing device that removes the old image and prints a new one in a single step. Among its applications are digital posters and bulletin boards.

The other R&D 100 award winner is a new type of polarizer protective film named HyTAC, made from a mixture of organic and inorganic nano-materials. Manufactured using a low-toxicity, eco-friendly process, the highly transparent optical film is likely to replace the expensive TAC film currently used in liquid crystal displays. It is expected to give Taiwan’s flat-panel display industry another competitive edge.

09四校OK.indd 125 2011/10/18 12:37:04 AM

9Science and Technology

126

National Science and Technology Programs

In 1998, the ROC government began implementing a series of NSTPs aimed at enhancing the nation’s S&T capabili-ties in pursuit of overlapping economic, social, cultural and health-related ben-efits. Over the years, funding of these programs has accounted for 12 to 19 per-cent of the central government’s annual S&T-related spending. With a view to expediting commercialization of newly developed applications, the programs include provision of legal assistance and business-related consultation. Typ-ically, the programs also encompass research on policymaking and regula-tory environments.

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

The National Science and Tech-nology Program for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 奈米國家型科技計畫 was launched in 2003. Building on its ac-complishments, in 2008 the NSC ap-proved a phase II continuation of the program, named the National Program on Nanotechnology (NPNT).

Key focuses of the NPNT include advanced research in nanoscience and nanotechnology, nano-scale electronics and optoelectronics, hardware development, ma-terials and conventional manufacturing, and government policymaking. The program also gives attention to education projects, and applications in medicine, agriculture, energy and environmental protection.

Research projects under the NPNT and its precursor program have produced a variety of substantive results. These in-clude oral drugs for treatment of diabetes, a rapid diagnostic test for tuberculosis and imaging of gene expression patterns. Also included are the above-mentioned

non-volatile RRAM cells (see “National Nano Device Laboratories” section), highly stable lithium-ion batteries, and window film that can guide light and reduce pollution. Through public-private collaboration and technology transfers, the program is expect-ed to help nanotech manufacturers generate US$4 billion in production value by 2012, and as much as US$10 billion by 2015.

The annual Taiwan Nano Exhibition 台灣奈米科技展 trade show, held for the ninth time in October 2011, is organized under the NPNT.

Intelligent ElectronicsTaiwan’s semiconductor industry is

a mainstay of Taiwan’s economy. While the IC design segment of the industry has been prosperous, it needs to develop its technological sophistication in order to maintain its global competitiveness.

Approved by the NSC in 2009 and launched in 2011, the National Program for Intelligent Electronics (NPIE) 智慧電子

國家型科技計畫 is successor to the program for system-on-chips (2003-2010). The main goal of the NPIE is to develop tech-nologies for applications in MG+4C (med-ical, green, computer, communications, consumer and car) electronics. It is aimed at promoting exploration of other emerg-ing application markets for electronic technologies, cultivation of interdisciplin-ary talents and integration of the strengths of IC chip and IC system design houses.

Networked Communications The Networked Communications

Program (NCP) 網路通訊國家型科技計畫 was formed in 2009 and focuses on the four major areas of access technology, communications software and platform technology, application services technol-ogy, and research in the communications regulatory environment.

09四校OK.indd 126 2011/10/18 12:37:04 AM

127

Thanks in part to NCP promotion, the output value of WiMAX (worldwide in-teroperability for microwave access) prod-ucts and services exceeded NT$15 billion (US$474 million) in 2010 and is expected to reach NT$60 billion (roughly US$2 billion) in 2013. The production value of Taiwan-made communications equipment and components reached NT$1.1 trillion (US$35.77 billion) in 2010.

The NCP also vigorously promotes domestic fiber optic network deployment. By the end of 2010, there were nearly 5 million wired broadband subscribers, including 1.86 million optical fiber sub-scribers in Taiwan. Taiwan’s optical fiber penetration rate of about 30 percent ranks fourth in the world.

Under the program, technology ex-changes between Taiwan and mainland China have been undertaken through a “bridging project,” by joint promo-tion of a wireless city pilot project, and by exploring business opportunities in mainland China’s radio and TV triple play market. The NCP has also set up a TD-LTE (Time Division Long-Term Evolution) network test lab and suc-cessfully demonstrated videoconferencing capabilities using the TD-LTE com-munications standard (developed by China Mobile) during the World Expo in Shanghai.

Commercial targets of the program in-clude getting 10 Taiwan-made networked communications products into top ranks of the global market and boosting the output value of Taiwan-made communications equipment and components to more than NT$1.5 trillion (US$50 billion) in 2013.

Genomic MedicineThe National Research Program for

Genomic Medicine (NRPGM) 基因體醫

學國家型科技計畫 was launched in 2002 through a cooperative arrangement between

the NSC, the DOH and the MOEA. The overall aim of the program is to exploit knowledge about human and pathogen genomes to develop technologies and applications for disease prevention, diag-nostics and therapeutics, as well as “drug target discovery.” Toward that end, the program supports fundamental research in such disciplines as genomics, proteomics and structural biology in conjunction with animal studies followed by translational and clinical studies.

Many significant research achievements have resulted from the program, including:

identification of genetic markers for • Stevens Johnson Syndrome caused by carbamazepine and allopurinol (Na-ture, 2004); identification of a gene for inherited • osteonecrosis of the femoral head (New England Journal of Medicine, 2005); identification of a 5-microRNA sig-• nature for the prediction of treatment outcome of non-small-cell lung can-cer (New England Journal of Medi-cine, 2007);discovery of a cholesterol biosynthesis • inhibitor that can block Staphylococcus aureus virulence (Science, 2008); identification of a receptor that is criti-• cal for dengue-virus-induced lethal dis-eases (Nature, 2008); anddevelopment of a method for estimating • warfarin dosage using clinical and pharmacogenetic data (New England Journal of Medicine, 2009).

Further, the NRPGM program of-fice joined the RNAi Consortium at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2004. This resulted in Taiwan’s establish-ment of the National RNAi Core Facility 國家型干擾性核醣核酸核心設施, which offers cutting-edge RNAi reagents and services to domestic researchers.

As for the NRPGM’s practical fruits, many technologies have been licensed to

09四校OK.indd 127 2011/10/18 12:37:05 AM

9Science and Technology

128

companies for commercialization. A licensing agreement with Pharmigene, Ltd. 世基生物醫學股份有限公司, for exam-ple, has led to the development of DNA detection kits that have been patented in the United States, Europe, Australia, Singapore and Taiwan.

BiopharmaceuticalsIn 2010 the NSC approved the estab-

lishment of the National Research Pro-gram for Biopharmaceuticals (NRPB) 生技醫藥國家型科技計畫, to be implemented from 2011 to 2016. Building on the solid foundation laid by the NRPGM and an earlier program for biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, the NRPB will con-tinue the work of facilitating the con-solidation of research infrastructures and the development of a strong biomedical industry in Taiwan.

In particular, the NRPB is mandated to advance the following goals:

discover and develop new • medicines, biomedical devices and therapies and strengthen R&D processes; concentrate and deepen the knowledge • and skills of domestic researchers in related fields; and enhance academic and public research • institutions’ collaboration so as to achieve productive synergies.

This NRPB is composed of six major groups: the Research Group, the Pre-clinical Development Group, the Clinical Group, the Resource Centers, the Industrial Bridging and International Collaboration Group, and the Ethical, Legal and Social Issues Group. Collaborating umbrella agencies include the NSC, the MOEA, the DOH and the AEC. Implementing agen-cies include Academia Sinica 中央研究院, the Development Center for Biotechnol-ogy 生物技術開發中心, the National Health Research Institutes 國家衛生研究院 and the Center for Drug Evaluation 醫藥品查驗中心,

as well as numerous universities, medical institutions and private enterprises.

e-Learning and Digital ArchivesThe Taiwan e-Learning and Digital

Archives Program (TELDAP) 數位典藏與

數位學習國家型科技計畫 is the combined ex-tension of the national programs for digi-tal archives (2002-2006) and e-learning (2003-2007). The mission of the former was to establish well-networked archives of digital records, including all manner of physical objects, people, and documents of cultural, historical and intellectual value. The mission of the latter was to advance the utilization of information technology—especially Internet commu-nications technology—to develop educa-tional platforms and models (see Chapter 16, “Education”).

Initiatives undertaken by the two predecessor programs were highly fruit-ful and have contributed greatly to the TELDAP, enabling participating institu-tions and organizations to accumulate abundant digitization experience and materials. In the course of creating the TELDAP Union Catalog from 2008 to 2010, more than 6.6 million items were digitized, 2,421 e-learning courses (a to-tal of 2,940 hours) were developed, and 598 databases concerning the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences were created for public use. Millions of users have benefitted from these free-of-charge courses and databases.

EnergyThe National Science and Technology

Program for Energy (NSTP-E) 能源國家型

科技計畫 was launched in August 2009 in line with the nation’s energy policies (see Chapter 11, “Environmental Protection”). Its general goals are to reduce the nation’s reliance on imported fuels, cut greenhouse

09四校OK.indd 128 2011/10/18 12:37:05 AM

129

Taiwan’s fast-growing biotech industry enjoys the support of a varietyof government-sponsored R&D development programs that facilitate collaboration between the private sector, academia and public research institutions.

gas emissions, increase energy efficiency, boost development of the domestic green energy industry; and change the nation’s energy consumption structure.

With respect to R&D projects under the NSTP-E, special attention is being given to the development of green energy technolo-gies with the aim of boosting the percentage of electric power generated from renewable energy sources to 15 percent by 2030. By December 2010, a total of 218 projects had been completed. It is anticipated that over US$900 million in public funding will be spent on R&D projects under the NSTP-E during its first five years.

Priority Development Targets

Beginning in 2009, the Cabinet desig-nated a number of emerging industries as priority targets for government-assisted development and investment incentives. Several of them, such as solar energy and electric cars, involve development of technologies that, until just a few years ago, had received little attention in com-mercial circles.

Cloud Computing In October 2010, the Cloud Computing

Association in Taiwan (CCAT) 台灣雲端運算

產業協會 was launched by some 100 top ICT companies with participation by the ITRI and the III. By consolidating the resources of hardware and software producers, the consortium aims to make Taiwan a major exporter of cloud computing services.

It is projected that from 2010 to 2014, over US$700 million in public funds will be allocated for building cloud computing infrastructure, platforms and software. This is expected to have a strong multipli-er effect, stimulating private investment of five times that amount. According to the IEK, worldwide sales of Taiwan’s cloud computing industry can reach US$30 bil-lion per year by the year 2015, account-ing for nearly 20 percent of the projected global market.

An important aspect of the CCAT’s efforts is the creation of strategic interna-tional alliances. In October 2010, ROC government agencies and CCAT members entered into multifaceted agreements with U.S.-based Intel Corp. to form partner-ships aimed at advancing Taiwan’s efforts

09四校OK.indd 129 2011/10/18 12:37:13 AM

9Science and Technology

130

to capitalize on new growth opportunities in the computing industry. Intel will pro-vide technical support, including training workshops, to assist Taiwan’s ICT indus-try in transforming Taiwan into a major producer of cloud computing software, services and hardware. Intel will also team up with a university in Taiwan to establish a research center that will spur the development and commercialization of embedded computing solutions while helping students develop parallel comput-ing engineering skills.

BiotechnologyIn 2009, the Cabinet launched the Taiwan

Biotechnology Take-off Diamond Action Plan 臺灣生技鑽石起飛行動方案. It is expect-ed that with the plan’s encouragement, the biotech industry’s annual output value will double to NT$260 billion (US$8.7 billion) over the period 2009-2013.

The action plan aims to strengthen research institutions’ translational re-search on pharmaceuticals and the de-velopment of medical device prototypes. These institutes include the ITRI, the Development Center for Biotechnology, the Metals Industries Research & Devel-opment Center 金屬工業研究發展中心 and the Medical and Pharmaceutical Industry Technology and Development Center 醫

藥工業技術發展中心. This initiative will also help bring

product R&D to the clinical trial stage, thereby facilitating commercialization of inventions. Toward this end, the program envisions the creation of a Biotechnology Venture Capital Fund 生技創投基金. Utiliz-ing a mix of public and private capital initially projected at NT$60 billion (about US$2 billion), the fund will back projects with high potential for profits both at home and abroad, including ventures that utilize innovative combinations of domes-tic and foreign know-how.

As part of the biotech take-off plan, a Supra Incubation Center 生技整合育成中心

will be created to provide pharmaceutical firms and inventors with comprehensive consultative services, including technical and management support, fundraising and legal consultation.

Science ParksTaiwan’s science parks are designed

and administered to provide ideal condi-tions for high-tech business operations. These include affordable leases, secure supplies of water, power and materials, and efficient shipping services.

The parks also provide excellent envi-ronments for developing powerful syner-gies with clusters of related enterprises, some in nearby industrial parks, as well as with public R&D institutions. Accord-ing to the Global Competitiveness Report

09四校OK.indd 130 2011/10/18 12:37:14 AM

131

Related

Websites

l National Science Council: http://www.nsc.gov.tw l Department of Industrial Development, Ministry of Economic Affairs: http://doit.moea.gov.tw

l Atomic Energy Council: http://www.aec.gov.twl National Applied Research Laboratories: http://www.narl.org.twl Industrial Technology Research Institute: http://www.itri.org.tw l Hsinchu Science Park: http://www.sipa.gov.tw l Southern Taiwan Science Park: http://www.stsipa.gov.tw l Central Taiwan Science Park: http://www.ctsp.gov.tw

2010-2011, Taiwan ranks third in its “state of cluster development” index.

More than a dozen science parks in Taiwan are organized into three geo-graphic groups (see map titled “Science Parks”). As of the end of July 2011, 696 companies had taken up residence in the parks, while more than 100 ad-ditional companies’ applications had been approved.

In 2010, the park’s resident enter-prises generated combined revenues of US$68.12 billion, representing a jump of nearly 36 percent over 2009, when the global market was depressed from the economic crisis that erupted in 2008. This

amounted to over 15 percent of Taiwan’s GDP in 2010. IC chip and flat-panel display manufacturers were the biggest moneymakers in that year, accounting, respectively, for 51.5 percent and 39.2 percent of the total revenues of science park enterprises.

Newcomers to the science park sys-tem, either in the start-up or planning stage, include the Yilan Science Park 宜蘭

科學園區 (home to solar cell manufactur-ers), the Hsinchu Biomedical Park 新竹

生物醫學園區 and the Advanced Research Pa rk 中興新村高等研究園區 i n Nan tou County 南投縣. Expansion of a number of other parks is also underway.

09四校OK.indd 131 2011/10/18 12:37:15 AM