Taiwan-Thailand Scientific Research and Technology Innovation Center Unveiled in Bangkok to Deepen and Broaden Bilateral Cooperation in Science and Technology

Fig 1: Taiwan-Thailand Scientific Research and Technology Innovation Center Unveiled in Bangkok

The Taiwan-Thailand Science Research and Technology Innovation Center (TTSTC) was unveiled in Bangkok, Thailand on March 12th to promote bilateral scientific research and technological innovation cooperation between Taiwan and Thailand. The unveiling ceremony was attended by distinguished guests including Dr. Chen Hong-Chen, Vice President of National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Chair Professor Fong-Chin Su, Executive Director of Taiwan-Thailand Science and Technology Center (TTSTC), Professor Banchong Mahaisavariya, President of Mahidol University, Ms. Hsiu-Mei Hsueh, Deputy Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand, Dr. Wen-Ling Teng, Director of Science and Technology Division, TECO Vietnam, Professor Waranun Buajeeb, Director of the NCKU-Mahidol University Overseas Research Center and former Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, and Professor Sirichai Kiattavorncharoen, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University. The event marked a new milestone in Taiwan-Thailand bilateral cooperation.

Fig 2:  Chair Professor Fong-Chin Su, the Executive Director, Taiwan-Thailand Science and Technology Center (TTSTC)

The TTSTC was established in 2019 as the Taiwan-Thailand Smart Health Technology Overseas Research Center (TCSMH) with a focus on smart health technology as its main area of cooperation. In 2023, it was officially renamed TTSTC, and its cooperation areas were expanded to strengthen the depth of bilateral ties and broaden the scope of cooperation. This includes promoting the four main axes of health technology, smart living, resilient society, and sustainable environment. In line with the NSTC's continuous implementation of the 5+2 industrial innovation and smart nation technology projects, TTSTC will actively seize the opportunities brought about by generative AI and expand its investment in key issues such as net zero carbon emissions, gerontechnology, space, and 6G. It will also synchronize with the Thai government's 2023-2027 Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation Policy and Strategy.

Fig 3: The esteemed guests attended the unveiling ceremony of TTSTC

The establishment of TTSTC will help integrate the scientific research resources of Taiwan and Thailand, accelerate technological innovation, and create more opportunities for the academia-industry partnership on both sides. Through a multi-pronged approach, TTSTC will promote bilateral education and talent cultivation, research and innovation, and academia-industry interactions. It will also go deep into Thailand to promote international cooperation, integrate domestic and overseas resources, enrich the new southbound international talent mobility, and jointly develop innovative technologies and application fields in line with national key policies. This international academia-industry cooperation model can effectively resolve political, linguistic, and cultural differences, accelerate trust, and expand cooperation and partnerships through bilateral academic research and scientific and technological collaboration.

Moving forward, TTSTC will focus on high-education talent cultivation and exchange, jointly conducting frontier research, developing innovative technologies, and strengthening the links between science parks and academia-industry cooperation between Taiwan and Thailand, with the motto of "integrating resources, sharing platforms, and cooperating based on win-win strategy."