On September 10th, Taiwan’s Minister of Science and Technology, Wu Chengwen, held a press conference in Palo Alto, California after visiting Stanford University in Silicon Valley.
During the press conference, Wu Chengwen talked about the mission of his team, highlighting Taiwan’s significant contributions to the global semiconductor and electronic products industries. He expressed the hope for future technological innovation beyond being just a manufacturing hub. Wu emphasized the importance of talent retention through policy integration and the implementation of new initiatives to ensure improved treatment for professionals.
Wu announced the signing of a cooperation agreement between the National Science and Technology Council and Stanford University to establish the “Stanford-Taiwan” talent development and research center. Similar exchanges have also been made with Germany, aiming to increase academic interactions between teachers and students from both sides.
It is worth noting that Wu Chengwen graduated with a Master’s and Ph.D. in Electronic and Computer Engineering from Santa Clara University in California. He returned to Taiwan after his studies to engage in academic research and currently holds positions as the Minister of Science and Technology, an executive commissioner in the Executive Yuan, and a professor at Tsinghua University.
Acknowledging Taiwan’s political constraints, Wu Chengwen mentioned that advancements in semiconductor chips and AI technologies, particularly with TSMC, have helped alleviate some of the political limitations faced by the country.
Regarding President Lai Ching-te’s pledge to develop Taiwan with a focus on semiconductor and AI research, Wu emphasized that these efforts will drive growth across various sectors and traditional industries. He highlighted the importance of developing smart manufacturing, healthcare, services, as well as applications in sectors like catering, hospitality, transportation, agriculture, which will inevitably lead to improved talent recognition and rewards in the future.
Wu Chengwen expressed confidence in the parallel values of democracy and freedom shared between the United States and Taiwan, regardless of the ruling party. He noted the consistent support from both the Biden administration and the previous Trump administration towards Taiwan’s semiconductor industry. Collaborative efforts between the Taiwanese and US governments are expected to facilitate investments in TSMC’s chip production.
In his closing remarks, Wu Chengwen mentioned the decreasing reliance on coal mining for energy due to environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. He highlighted the increasing importance of electricity as the primary energy source in the future, emphasizing the significance of developing more efficient electronic products, electric vehicles, and electric heating systems.
Overall, the collaboration and technological advancements discussed during Wu’s visit signify a promising future for both Taiwan and the United States in driving innovation and sustainable growth in various sectors.