To broaden the alliance with leading foreign research organizations and take in European expertise on earth science, disaster prevention, and information and communication technology, the delegates from National Applied Research Laboratories (NARLabs) visited ten prominent research organizations in Germany, the Netherlands, and France from September 15th to September 27th. They also took this opportunity to discuss the model of future cooperation with NSC Overseas Science and Technology divisions (NOSTDs), in order to jointly promote the bilateral technological exchanges between NARLabs and European research organizations and fulfill NARLabs's vision of “Global Excellence, Local Impact.”

The goal of this visit is to raise the research capability of NARLabs. The visit focuses on multiple disciplines of technologies including high-performance computing, earth engineering, oceanic technology, and aeronautical satellite, as well as skill cultivation.

Travelling 1600 Kilometers, Opening the Door of Collaboration with Germany
NARLabs delegates’ first stop was Germany. Thevisit, arranged by NOSTD German office, included prominent German DLR Aeronautics Center, Jülich Supercomputing Center, Nano Technology Center, MARUM Oceanic Environment Science Center, GFZ Geology Research Center, and GEOMAR Ocean Research Center. The delegates traveled half of Germany in five days, which was quite a test to their physical capacities. They made successful exchanges with experts from these institutes, had fundamental discussions with them, and established good friendship. Several cooperative agreements were reached, such as collaborative research topics, mutual visiting, and co-sponsors of technical workshops. These will help NARLabs continuously engage in advanced researches and nurture Taiwanese high-tech professionals.

NARLabs delegates taking photo with German research organizations, clockwise from top left: DLR、Jülich、MARUM、GFZ、GEOMAR.

In addition to the technical visiting agenda, NARLabs delegates also made a courtesy call to Taiwan's Representative in Germany Representant Agnes Hwa-Yue Chen and Stellvertretender Representant Dr. Klement Gu to ask their support on international cooperation in the future. Representant Agnes Hwa-Yue Chen promised full support for NARLabs's foreign technical engagement in Germany by both the Office of Taiwan Representative in Berlin and the Office of NOSTD in Bonn.

NARLabs Senior Vice President Dr. Tung-Yang Chen (6th from left), Representant Agnes Hwa-Yue Chen (4th from right), Stellvertretender Representant Dr. Klement Gu (first from right), Director of NOSTD German office Dr. Suang-Jing Pong(first from left), Ms. Hui-Chen Lin (2nd from left) .

Continuing the Journey to the Netherlands and France for New International Cooperative Opportunities
Arranged by Taipei Representative Office in the Netherlands, the delegates visited Holland's prominent SURFsara National Supercomputing Center, KNMI Royal Meteorology Institute, and NIOZ Royal Ocean Research Center. Among the agreements reached, one of them is to discuss the details of collaboration between SURFsara and NCHC at the well-known and important Supercomputing Conference (SC13) in November. Also, KNMI, NIOZ and NARLabs reached initial consensus to work together by teaming the talents from both parties in the areas of joint researches, information interchange, and mutually technical support. This will create a new prospect for collaboration between Taiwan and the Netherlands.

NARLabs Senior Vice President Dr. Tung-Yang Chen (3rd from left), Director of Economic Division Thomas P.C. Tung (3rd from right), Li-tong Wang (2nd from right).

The final stop of the delegates was France. Due to the limited amount of time (1 day only), they only visited Ifremer Oceanic Development Institute and GENCI National High-performance Computing Center, both arranged by NOSTD in France. In addition to discussing future collaboration , They also assessed the possibility of writing a project proposal together for EU's “Horizon 2020” program.

NARLabs delegates taking photo with French research organizations, from left: Ifremer、GENCI.

Before leaving for home, the delegates visited Taiwan's Representative in France, where Ambassador Michel Ching-long Lu received them in person. Ambassador Lu encouraged them to “work hard, knock the door of philosophy,” and promised complete support in driving the technological cooperation in France. Combining foreign affairs and technology, NARL achieved its mission of the trip. After returning back to Taiwan, NARLabs will proactively drive international collaboration and promote Taiwan's technology to the world.

NARLabs Senior Vice President Dr. Tung-Yang Chen (third from left), Ambassador Michel Ching-long Lu (middle), Director of NOSTD French office Dr.Wen-Guey Wu (second from right), Hwey-Ying Lee (first from right).

Turning Passive to Active, President Ching-Hua Lo of NARLabs Promotes Diversified International Cooperation

Dr. Ching-Hua Lo, the new President of NARLabs, clearly indicates that his first mission is to make NARLabs more visible. The delegates’ trip to Europe to exchange with leading research institutes and discuss with prominent experts not only opens new cooperative opportunities for NARLabs, but also helps NARLabs render research outcomes onto world stage.

President Ching-Hua Lo hopes that the more diversified international collaboration can enable domestic technological innovation and foster more new-generation talents. It is only by standing at the forefront of technological development and keeping up to date with the latest trends that NARLabs can grab opportunities when they present themselves, and pROVide enough technical human resources to the industries. Led by President Ching-Hua Lo, NARLabs has confidence it will shine on the international stage in the future.