Date: March 29, 2019

Issued by: Department of Planning

Contact person: Section Chief Ting-yun Chang

Tel: 02-27377979

E-mail: tychang@most.gov.tw

To mitigate the generational gap in Taiwan’s scientific research and attract overseas talents to joining research institutions in Taiwan, Minister Liang-Gee Chen will lead the representatives from top universities in Taiwan and several Young Scholars Fellowship recipients to hold three seminars in London, Paris, and Berlin between March 30 and April 6. During the seminars, information on the MOST Young Scholar Fellowship Program (including the Einstein Program and Columbus Program) and the Support Measures for Science and Technology Talent Development will be presented to attract outstanding expatriate and foreign scholars to teach in Taiwan.

Leading by the MOST, thirteen accompanying officials from nine universities in Taiwan will present the unique strengths of their schools during the recruitment trip. In addition, approximately eleven of the 2018 MOST Young Scholar Fellowship recipients will share their experiences of teaching, applying for grants, implementing projects, and discuss the advantages of the research environment in Taiwan.

The MOST Young Scholar Fellowship Program is entering its second year: the Einstein Program funds multiyear projects (for up to NT$5 million per year) that hold a unique, innovative, daring perspective and show potential. The Program encourages researchers to engage in diverse and free thinking in their research and identify potential topics for investigation. Individuals with a doctorate degree and who are aged 32 years or younger as well as individuals aged less than 35 years who have graduated with a doctorate degree within the past three years are eligible for the program.

The Columbus Program provides funding for multiyear projects (for up to NT$10 million per year) that investigate the unknown, have a global perspective, and pursue excellence. The Program encourages researchers to explore research topics with potential, establish cross-disciplinary teams, or engage in exchanges and research with foreign research institutions, thereby expanding their global perspectives and influence and improving the visibility of Taiwanese scholars in the international academic community. Scholars aged less than 38 years and with a doctorate degree are eligible for the program.

Moreover, in response to the expectations of the Taiwanese industry, academia, and research community toward the return of expatriate talents, their demand for pioneering talents, and the government’s promotion of “Forward-Looking Infrastructure” and “Industrial Innovation,” MOST has promoted the Leaders in Future Trends (LIFT) program since 2017. This program invites expatriates under 45 years old, with foreign doctoral or master’s degree, and at least 5 years of international working experience in artificial intelligence, to return and contribute by sharing their knowledge. It aims to encourage industrial innovation and stimulate technological advances. In 2019, a platform will be constructed to actively promote online and offline channels for bridging overseas academics with domestic industrial and academic research institutions. Meanwhile, returning participants shall participate in LIFT 2019 Leaders in Future Trends Conferences in Taiwan and engage in face-to-face exchanges with domestic industrial and academic research institutions, in the hope of promoting the career development of returning academics.

Minister Chen pointed out that the proportion of full-time faculty members aged less than 40 years in the domestic universities and colleges has decreased from 36% in 2012 to 25% in 2017. Furthermore, the percentage of principal investigators under 40 years old for MOST projects has downed from approximately 4000 persons in 2008 to around 2000 persons in 2018. This suggests that a generation gap exists in Taiwan’s higher education community and, thus, the promotion of the Young Scholar Fellowship Program. On top of cultivating young scientific and research talent, MOST hopes that the Program can aid colleges and universities in Taiwan to compete with foreign institutions for talent recruitment. Accordingly, it benefits local students and helps to cultivate scientific energy continuously.

MOST stated that approved applicants from an overseas institution will be granted a 1-year period to seek a full-time teaching position in Taiwan; the approved project shall commence upon employment at a domestic institution. A combined total of 70 young scholars from overseas institutions have applied to the Einstein and Columbus Programs in 2018 and 2019; in the first call-for-application of 2019 applicants, around 40 scholars have applied, which is more than doubled in comparison with 2018 (17 applicants). MOST expects to attract more overseas young scholars from this trip and encourages more talented individuals to teach in Taiwan.

For further information on the Taiwan (R.O.C.) Ministry of Science and Technology Overseas Talent Recruiting Seminars in Europe, please visit this website: http://ysgrant.stpi.narl.org.tw/Web/2019_seminar_registration.html.

Taiwan (R.O.C.) Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) Overseas Talent Recruiting (London, United Kingdom)

Date: March 31, 2019 (Sun) 14:00–17:30

Venue: King’s College London (KCL)

Taiwan (R.O.C.) Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) Overseas Talent Recruiting (Paris, France)

Date: April 3, 2019 (Wednesday) 14:30–17:30

Venue: Bureau de Représentation de Taipei en France

Taiwan (R.O.C.) Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) Overseas Talent Recruiting (Berlin, Germany)

Date: April 6, 2019 (Saturday) 11:30–14:30

Venue: Taipeh Vertretung in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland