Taiwan tops world at Nuremberg invention fair

Taiwan has won the team championship at the iENA International Trade Fair in Nuremberg, Germany, for the second year in a row.

With 27 gold, 32 silver and 23 bronze medals, Taiwan had the most medals of all the 37 nations that participated in the fair, which lasted from Oct. 28 to 31.

Altogether 800 inventions were submitted by the participating nations. Taiwan had 98 entries, 69 of which were by students at various grade levels.

The youngest winning entry was from Yeh Chi-chang, an eight-year-old student at the Kaohsiung American School. He captured a silver medal with his invention of lifesaving swimming trunks that inflate in the event of an emergency with the pull of a string.

Other noteworthy winners included Tseng Hsin-ru and Kuo Wen-hsuan, both of whom are from the aboriginal Tao tribe in the offshore Orchid Island. They won a gold medal for their invention of a hair dryer that can also serve as a vacuum cleaner.

Scholars attributed the recent success of Taiwanese students at international invention and design fairs to the nation’s open educational atmosphere as well as the resources invested in encouraging students to participate in the events.

“Students challenging teachers with their creative ideas is a common event these days and teachers are more accepting of these challenges,” said Peng Kuang-hui, dean of the College of Design at National Taipei University of Technology. “Many creative sparks go off as a result.”

According to a local media report, to encourage even more participation, starting next year the Ministry of Education will provide free airfare to students to attend international invention and design fairs. (HZW)

Source: Taiwan Today

Written by: Grace Kuo