From Nov. 15 to 25, National Science and Technology (NSTC) Minister Wu Tsung-Tsong led a delegation from NSTC and NARLabs to France and Germany to deepen scientific cooperation and exchanges between Taiwan and key European countries. In addition, in order to further promote cooperation in AI, quantum technology, hydrogen energy development, and other forward-looking fields, NARLabs President Lin Faa-Jeng led members of the Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institute (TSRI), the National Center for High-performance Computing (NCHC), and the NARLabs International Affairs Office to visit the University of Paris-Saclay, the French Academy of Sciences, and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA). There, they discussed opportunities to work together in frontier research projects, particularly hydrogen energy development, which will help Taiwan achieve its goal of net-zero emissions in the future.
The University of Paris-Saclay is currently ranked 16th in the world for its academic excellence and is known for its research in mathematical science and technology, life sciences and health, and social sciences. The delegation was received by University President Estelle Iacona, Deputy Vice-President Michel Guidal, and Frédéric Chazal, Director of the DATAIA Institute. Together, they held fruitful discussions focused on AI, data science applications, quantum technology, nanotechnology, and hydrogen energy research. A follow-up meeting of experts from both Taiwan and France will be arranged to further discuss the possibility of bilateral research projects. Additionally, NARLabs' international internship program will allow a channel for bilateral talent cultivation and exchange to be established.
Visit to University of Paris-Saclay (6th from left: Frédéric Chazal, Director, DATAIA Institute, University of Paris-Saclay; 7th from left: Estelle Iacona, University President; 8th from left: Michel Guidal, University Deputy Vice-President; 8th from right: Lin Faa-Jeng, President, NARLabs; 5th from right: Hou Tuo-Hung (Alex), Director General, TSRI; 4th from right: Lin Fang-Pang, Deputy Director General, NCHC; 2nd from right: Chang Mei-Yu, Director, International Affairs Office of NARLabs)
The French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) is the largest scientific research institute in France, ranked 4th in the Nature Index for 2022. In October of this year, Academy President Antoine Petit visited NARLabs and was personally received by President Lin, who promised to lead a delegation for a return visit. NARLabs also visited the Centre's Chemistry Research Institute of Paris (IRCP, CNRS) to discuss hydrogen energy research. The delegation was received by Armelle Ringuedé, Director of Research, and Virginie Lair, Director of Training, who introduced the Institute's research on hydrogen energy production and storage and led a visit to their experimental facilities.
Visit to the Chemistry Research Institute of Paris, the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) (all in back row: second from right: Lin Fang-Pang, Deputy Director General, NCHC; third from right: Virginie Lair, Director of Training; fourth from right: Lin Faa-Jeng, President, NARLabs; fifth from right: Armelle Ringuedé, Director of Research; sixth from right: Hou Tuo-Hung (Alex), Director General, TSRI; fourth from left: Edouard Besserve, Deputy Director of International Affairs; third from left: Lin Ching-I, Science & Technology Division Head, Taipei Representative Office in France; second from left: Chang Mei-Yu, Director, International Affairs Office of NARLabs)
To promote collaboration between Taiwan and France in the field of semiconductors, high-performance computing, and hydrogen energy technologies, President Lin also led a delegation to Grenoble, known as the Silicon Valley of France, to visit CEA-Leti (Laboratoire d'électronique des technologies de l'information [Electronics and Information Technology Laboratory]), CEA-List (Laboratory for Integration of Systems and Technology), and CEA-Liten (Laboratoire d'innovation pour les technologies des énergies nouvelles et les nanomatériaux [New Energy Technologies and Nanomaterials Innovation Laboratory]). The visit was hosted by CEA-Leti Director Sébastien Dauvé, CTO Jean-René Lequepeys, and CEA-Liten Deputy Director Simon Perraud. In addition to attending briefings on semiconductor materials, high-performance computing architecture, and hydrogen energy storage improvement, President Lin also visited their experimental facilities. NARLabs and CEA-Leti signed a cooperation agreement in 2018 and will further expand cooperation to other units under CEA in the future, first by conducting talent training and exchange.
Visit to the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (1st from right: Thomas Ernst, Scientific Director, CEA-Leti; 2nd from right: Hou Tuo-Hung (Alex), Director General, TSRI; 3rd from right: Sébastien Dauvé, Director, CEA-Leti; 4th from right: Lin Faa-Jeng, President, NARLabs; 5th from right: Jean-René Lequepeys, CTO, CEA-Leti; first from left: Simon Perraud, Deputy Director, CEA-Liten; second from left: Bruno Paing, Deputy Director, CEA International Affairs; third from left: Lin Fang-Pang, Deputy Director General, NCHC)
