UK-Taiwan Delegation Visit and Research Collaboration Forum

12-20 July 2010

 

In July 2010 the UK played host to a delegation of university Presidents and Deans of Research from Taiwan on an 8-day fact-finding and research collaboration mission.

The delegation, representing several of Taiwan’s ‘Top 11’ universities, including the National Taiwan University, National Cheng Kung University and National Chung Hsing University, as well as representatives from the country’s National Science Council and the British Council Taipei, visited several UK universities and participated in a research and collaboration forum hosted by Universities UK.

The mission was organised by the British Council Taipei in collaboration with the UK HE International and Europe Unit and involved visits to King’s College London, University of Bath, Imperial College London, University of Glasgow, University College London, University of Edinburgh and the University of Southampton. Meetings were also arranged with HEFCE, The Royal Society and RCUK.

The delegation visited the UK to explore scope for collaboration in light of recent developments in research funding in Taiwan.

The National Science Council of Taiwan announced earlier this year its plans to develop a research funding programme specifically for collaboration with UK institutions. The programme will be a sub-scheme of the existing Dragon Gate research programme which was announced on 01 March 2010. The purpose of the sub-scheme will be to encourage Taiwanese scientists to establish relationships and work with UK researchers.

The outcomes of the UK visit will steer the final development, design and funding of the sub-scheme which is expected to be announced following deliberations in August 2010, in time for Taiwan’s research funding application period.

The National Science Council has a vision of making Taiwan the premier location in the Asia-Pacific region for nurturing technological and scientific innovation. It has already signed 94 cooperation agreements with 41 nations and the European Union and is keen to engage with the UK. And Taiwan is an excellent partner of choice for UK universities. It has weathered the economic crisis relatively unscathed and is one of the top 20 countries sending students to study in the UK; there were more than 5,200 studying in the UK in 2008-09, of which approximately three-quarters were working towards postgraduate awards.

During the visit, the delegation was keen to discuss possibilities for participation in the European Union’s Framework Programme. Taiwan is one of the third-countries able to participate in Framework Programme 7 (FP7). In Taiwan it is seen as an opportunity to engage with European researchers, and the National Science Council announced this year it will provide funding to Taiwanese institutions and researchers to participate in the programme. Following detailed discussion on FP7 at Imperial College and University College London, plans have been initiated to organise a workshop in Taiwan to assist Taiwan’s universities  engagement with the Framework Programme to facilitate increased collaboration with European universities.

The culmination of the visit was the UK-Taiwan Research and Development Forum which brought together the Taiwan delegates with interested UK universities – particularly those with expertise in the fields of science and technology. Following the visits to individual institutions, the aim of the Forum was to exchange information regarding policy on research and development in respective countries, and to identify areas of potential future collaboration. Delegates listened to keynote speeches from Professor Si-Chen Lee, President of National Taiwan University, Professor Ching-Ray Chang, Director of the Department of International Cooperation at the National Science Council, and Professor Steve Smith, President of Universities UK. Chris Hale, Deputy Director of Policy at Universities UK provided a comprehensive overview of research funding in the UK for the benefit of the Taiwan visitors.

Nearly 30 UK research and development delegates attended the day which also provided the opportunity for individual and group discussions on specific areas of research activity. The visit was considered a success by the Taiwan delegation, the British Council Taipei and UK participants. Further workshops are planned in Taiwan early next year to follow-up on discussion, and future potential collaborative opportunities identified during the week-long trip to the UK.