Solid Foundation for Taiwan-Germany Tech Cooperation: President Chen Chien-jen Aims for Mutually Beneficial Partnership
Academia Sinica President Chen Chien-jen met with German Institute Taipei Director Karsten Tietz and Science and Technology Section Chief Julian Goldmann on August 4 to engage in in-depth discussions on cooperation in advanced technology fields, including semiconductors, new fuel cells, hydrogen energy, and artificial intelligence. Chen noted that Taiwanese enterprises have been actively investing in Germany in recent years, with bilateral industrial cooperation continuing to deepen. He expressed optimism that a closer and mutually beneficial partnership could be established in the future. Chen also mentioned that during Pope Benedict XIV’s inauguration ceremony in May of last year, he had exchanged views with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, further confirming the mutual intent for collaboration.
Tietz pointed out that Taiwan and Germany have already established a strong foundation for cooperation in semiconductors, hydrogen energy, and artificial intelligence, with both sides demonstrating high complementarity in emerging research areas. He emphasized that youth talent exchanges would serve as a cornerstone for deepening bilateral scientific cooperation and pledged to continue promoting additional collaborative initiatives. During the meeting, both sides agreed to prioritize joint research on China studies, regional situation analysis, international law, and AI governance. They also committed to leveraging Academia Sinica’s strengths in the humanities and social sciences to collectively address challenges posed by technological development and geopolitical shifts.
Doctoral Student Exchange Program Launches to Lay Groundwork for Youth Scholar Collaboration
To strengthen exchanges between young scholars from Taiwan and Germany, Acting Director Li Chien-liang of Academia Sinica’s Institute of Law announced that outstanding doctoral students would be selected to participate in a three-month research program at the Max Planck Institute for Social Policy and Social Law in Germany, beginning in September. This initiative marks a significant milestone in deepening academic cooperation between the two sides and sets the stage for future youth talent exchange programs. Li noted that Academia Sinica’s Institute of Law has maintained close collaboration with the Max Planck Society, and this exchange program will further solidify academic ties in social law and policy research.
During the meeting, Chen Chien-jen stressed that Academia Sinica would continue to leverage its research strengths in the humanities and social sciences to promote interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly in AI governance and international law. He stated that in the face of new challenges brought by global technological development and geopolitical changes, Taiwan and Germany must work more closely to explore solutions together. Tietz praised the outcomes of the meeting, expressing confidence in the vast potential for cooperation in both technology and the humanities, and pledged to continue expanding forward-looking research collaborations.
While no specific cooperation projects or timelines were announced during the meeting, both sides emphasized their commitment to deepening collaboration in key areas such as semiconductors, hydrogen energy, and artificial intelligence. They also highlighted the role of youth scholar exchanges in injecting new momentum into the Taiwan-Germany research partnership. Chen Chien-jen concluded by stating that the future would see Taiwan’s strengths in technological innovation combined with Germany’s expertise in foundational research to jointly advance global scientific development and create broader opportunities for bilateral cooperation.
